Cambridge United’s unbeaten home start to Sky Bet League Two was terminated as they fell to a 0-1 defeat to newcomers Oldham Athletic at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
The U’s were punished early doors when Michael Mellon converted from close range 20 minutes in. Although a change of shape at the break helped put them in the driving seat initially, they couldn’t generate the killer pass to unlock a well-drilled defence, as the visitors held out firm for their first victory of the season.
Looking to accelerate the momentum and build on the comfortable victory against Newport County a week earlier, Neil Harris opted with an unchanged XI. Some notable additions to the bench were deadline day signing Adam Mayor and striker Shayne Lavery, who was back in the matchday squad for the first time this campaign.
Forcing some early pressure, the U’s advanced play well, with Louis Appere plugging away against a physical backline to win some corners. It was in the air where the hosts got some half-chances away as Dom Ball’s header in the box was deflected wide and Sullay Kaikai matched a Liam Bennett Cross but getting the angles wrong.
After losing possession in the middle of the park on 20, Cambridge were punished as a quick break resulted in Luke Hannant setting Jamie Robson free down the left – as the angle closed in, the full-back cut it back to a looming Mellon from 12 yards out, who fired into the net to open the scoring.
The travelling Latics were delighted to have unlocked a clinical edge, with the only shot on goal of the half enough to take the lead. Despite this, United continued to apply intensity, prompting Oldham to sit back and soak up anything that fell their way.
Three minutes before the break, Kaikai’s corner floated towards the six-yard box but could only be pawed away by goalkeeper Mathew Hudson, invitingly dropping to Kell Watts who had time to pull the trigger towards a sea of men, but a big block denied hopes of a leveller.
Where United had plenty of the ball - approximately 70% - they were struggling to create and had to wait for that spark. A swap at the break saw a potential change in formation, as Kylian Kouassi came on to partner Appere up top to stretch powerhouses in Donervon Daniels and Manny Monthe.
On the 53rd minute, Harris’ men conjured up their best opportunity courtesy of a rapid counter-attack. Starting from Jake Eastwood, Appere was found in the centre and played a one-two with Kaikai, where the number 9 had time to cut past his man and pick his spot in the box. The close-range attempt looked destined to sail home but it was denied by Hannant’s heroic clearance on the line.
Now on top of proceedings and feeding off the atmosphere, a nice break from James Brophy saw him beat his opponent for pace down the right wing, before picking out Appere with a cross. The striker held it up and was bundled down, but advantage was played to allow two bites at the cherry for Ball from 20 yards, with the second floating wide of the crossbar.
The pressure continued, with an array of corners and free-kicks falling the hosts’ way. Looking to capitalise on that, they made a triple change on 66 as Lavery, Mayor and Elias Kachunga entered the field.
A moment on the 72nd minute summed up the type of encounter it had been for the hosts. A smart flick from Lavery to Kouassi allowed the loanee to roll past Monthe, but the defender recovered at the right time to deny the shot and the follow up.
On 81, Kane Drummond was tripped up on the break from 20 yards out, with Tom Conlon hitting his free-kick with real venom and requiring great reflexes from Eastwood to dive high and paw over the bar to keep his side in the tie.
Two minutes before injury time, Kaikai’s delivery was matched by the head of Lavery, who from distance did well to ensure it could dip, but it didn’t trouble Hudson’s gloves.
It would have been game, set and match shortly after if it wasn’t for Eastwood, who witnessed Drummond apply the afterburners to scamper into a one-on-one position, but the goalkeeper was firm to deny.
Ultimately, Cambridge couldn’t take the game by the scruff of the neck at the other end as Oldham held out firm to secure the maximum points and add frustration for the hosts, who at the third time of asking were unable to put together back-to-back league wins.
Up next, the U’s make the trip to Blundell Park next Saturday (13th September) to pit their wits against Grimsby Town – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett (Mayor, 68’), Jobe, Watts, Purrington, Ball, Mpanzu, Brophy (Kachunga, 67’), Knight (46’), Kaikai, Appere (Lavery, 68’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Ibsen Rossi, McLoughlin
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Purrington, Lavery, Kachunga
Oldham Athletic: Hudson, Sutton (Caprice, 71’), Daniels, Monthe, Robson, Hannant, Woods, Conlon, Pett, Mellon (Drummond, 55’), Fondop
Subs Not Used: Donaghy, Hawkes, Olson, Harratt, Hammond
Goalscorers: Mellon (20’)
Bookings: Hudson, Caprice
Referee: Ben Atkinson
Attendance: 6570 (740 away fans)