Cambridge United moved up to 5th position in the Sky Bet League One table after overcoming ten-man Blackpool 1-0 at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
On an afternoon that required patience after George Honeyman received an early red card, the U’s continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded 10 minutes from time when Gassan Ahadme drilled home to seal maximum points and extend their run of scoring in every league match.
Approaching this fixture in fine fettle, United found themselves seven unbeaten in all competitions and with a play-off position to protect. It had been contrasting reading for the visitors; they had started their fourth year back at this level slowly, making the journey off the back of a six-game winless run.
Four days on from overcoming Northampton Town in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy, Neil Harris shuffled his pack with four changes as Jake Eastwood, Liam Bennett – fit again after suffering a broken toe - Dom Ball and Ben Knight all returned.
After the supporters had filtered into all four areas of the ground ahead of a delayed 15:15pm kick-off, the U’s - donning their special edition fourth shirt – had to dig in deep when Finley Munroe was played in down the left, forcing a scramble inside the box where Tom Bloxham got a couple of kicks at the ball, but Zak Bradshaw helped clear to safety.
With just five minutes on the clock, drama ensued when the resulting corner was blasted wide and an off-the-ball altercation occurred when Honeyman lashed at the hosts with contact, prompting referee Lewis Sandoe to show the captain his marching orders.
With extra space on the field to exploit, Cambridge remained calm in the build-up but also remained wary of the Seasiders’ threat on the counter. Their first effort of the afternoon arrived on the 12th minute when Sullay Kaikai’s corner found Ahadme at the back post, but the striker directed his header wide of the target.
10 minutes later, Kell Watts advanced to Kaikai on the left flank, who floated a cross to an unmarked Knight at the back post – he managed to get his head on it but couldn’t generate the power to test a recovering defence inside the six-yard box.
Remaining patient and knocking on the door, Isaac Heath latched onto a misplaced pass on the half hour mark but was clattered down by Olly Casey, who entered the book. Kaikai stepped up with the dead ball and flicked it to Watts who did incredibly well to dive high and pick out a header, but it landed over Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s crossbar.
Moments later, the centre-back accumulated another attempt when a heavy spell of possession concluded with him trying his luck from 20 yards out – it was hit with venom and towards the bottom left but the visiting goalkeeper got down low to palm away.
Firmly in the ascendency, Harris’ men had a couple of opportunities to break the deadlock before the whistle when Kaikai’s free-kick on the edge of the penalty area was cleverly drilled to Knight who had no marker from 15 yards out, but his first-time strike curled high and wide, before Ahadme picked out a header into the gloves of Peacock-Farrell – who had been tested considerably more as the game progressed.
Although the U’s had gained control and enjoyed two thirds of the ball, they entered half-time goalless, so opted for a switch as Mpanzu made way for Owen Moxon.
Orchestrating their best chance of the day on the 48th minute, the goalmouth was peppered as Kaikai’s cross was met by Ahadme’s head, who was denied by an excellent reaction stop from Peacock-Farrell.
Appeals for a penalty were waved away seconds later when Knight weaved into the box and just as he was about to pull the trigger was clipped by a leg. Still, the U’s persisted to try and unlock Ian Evatt’s side, bringing on Shayne Lavery to add to their attacking options.
At the other end, a rare foray forwards required an important stop from Eastwood on 64 when Albie Morgan picked out Jerry Yates, who beat his man and aimed for the bottom corner with the angle tightening but the U’s number one was at full stretch when called upon to claw away.
Chucking their bodies at every cross into the box, which was now at a frequent pace, Bradshaw was next to climb high on the 77th minute and power on target but it was a comfortable low stop from Peacock-Farrell.
With the clock ticking down, Cambridge needed more urgency – and they found that 10 minutes from time to finally open the scoring. Showcasing invention in the final third, Knight drove forwards and slipped in Ahadme just inside the area, whose strike deflected home to cue an almighty roar from the home faithful.
It was very nearly game, set and match on 87 when Bradshaw’s whipped cross was clipped by the head of the industrious Ahadme, requiring a fingertip stop from Peacock-Farrell.
Nonetheless, the hosts navigated the final minutes with assurance to conclude a thoroughly pleasing afternoon where they continued their goalscoring run in the third tier, secured their first clean sheet of the campaign and make it eight without defeat.
Up next, the U’s travel to Oakwell next Saturday (17th October) to take on Barnsley – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Heffernan, Watts, Bradshaw, Bennett, Ball, Mpanzu (Moxon, 46’), Kaikai, Knight (Bangura-Williams, 83’), Heath (Lavery, 59’), Ahadme
Subs Not Used: Breeze, Bauer, Appere, Curtis
Goalscorers: Ahadme (81’)
Bookings: Kaikai
Blackpool: Peacock-Farrell, Williams, Casey, Ashworth, Munroe, Honeyman, Bowler (Niskanen, 67’), Anderson, Morgan (Brown, 75’), Bloxham (Coulson, 51’), Yates (Charles, 68’)
Subs Not Used: Lyons, Clarkson, Taylor
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Honeyman (RED), Casey, Munroe
Referee: Lewis Sandoe
Attendance: 7,295 (559 away fans)