Cambridge United were forced to settle for a point towards their Sky Bet League Two tally as Chesterfield rescued a last-gasp 1-1 draw at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
The U’s were in control of proceedings during a free-flowing first half of football, where they deservedly took the lead early doors through Kell Watts. Just when they looked destined to cap the complete performance with another victory – where they had attempts to kill the game off – Spireites defender Kyle McFadzean popped up deep into injury time to ensure a share of the spoils.
Three days on from prevailing from the spot against Stockport County in the Emirates FA Cup, Neil Harris freshened up the pack by naming five changes to the starting XI as Liam Bennett, Ben Purrington, Korey Smith, Glenn McConnell and Adam Mayor all returned to the fold.
Up into the elusive play-off spots, momentum was building for the hosts – who now had a foundation to build upon and good form heading into the Christmas period. In the Spireites they would face a tricky outfit tipped by many to challenge, despite achieving just one league win in six. A formidable attack – joint-second most with 32 goals – up against a stern defence who always back themselves at home, going into the clash under the lights eight unbeaten at CB5 with 10 clean sheets already under their name this season, bettered only by two others in the 92.
Attacking towards the Newmarket Road End in what was frenetic, end-to-end start, Cambridge were keen to keep the ball on the floor, but it was their set-piece prowess which helped them carve out the opener with 12 minutes on the clock.
An exquisite corner from McConnell was swung towards the near post where an advancing Watts was on hand to rise high and power a header past Zac Hemming to give his men a precious early lead.
Physically imposing and no-nonsense defensively to not give Paul Cook’s men a sniff, the U’s were incredibly exuberant in an impressive start, showing real fluidity and flair down the right in particular.
The travellers from Derbyshire were forced into a battle, with their only opportunity of note falling on the 32nd minutes when a deep cross from the right by Liam Mandeville found its way to veteran McFadzean at the back post, but the guided header was claimed by an alert Jake Eastwood between the sticks.
A few minutes later, United looked to have stretched their lead when McConnell’s delivery into the mixer was initially pounced at by a diving Purrington inside the area, forcing a real scramble which resulted in a Spireites defender flicking into his own net. Nonetheless, an apparent offside in the build-up cut short the celebrations.
Late into the first period, the free-flowing nature continued with a series of quickfire attempts as Brophy’s close-range header required a big leap from Hemming, before the winger combined with McConnell for a fluid counter – the latter opted to pull the trigger from 20 yards out, with the fierce strike being claimed.
Overall, it had been a brilliant first half for Harris’ side, who maintained their rhythm for the full 45.
The task was to build on their levels after the break, with early signs looking promising against the shaky visitors, who were struggling to string any sequences in possession.
Oozing confidence in the final third, holding midfielder Smith impeccably managed to maintain the ball on the outskirts of the box on the 52nd minute, showing tricky feet to scoop past some defenders before executing a drilled attempt located for the bottom corner where Hemming dived to paw behind for a corner.
Adding the energy on the hour mark, the Head Coach made a double swap as the returning Louis Appere came on to lead the line, with the impressive George Hoddle also on to allow Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu to roam further forward.
With 65 minutes on the clock, Dylan Duffy weaved into space and picked out a thunderous low strike which required Eastwood to dive at full stretch to astutely keep out the effort, with Chey Dunkley heading the resulting corner over.
As the chances started to dry up, the Spireites ringed the changes, which handed them more of a foothold when Lee Bonis directed a header on target before Ronan Darcy’s fizzed shot on 79 was always rising.
Up the other end, Cambridge were presented with a golden chance to kill off the game when good work from Appere saw him tee up Mpanzu, whose strike was blocked but fell back to the striker invitingly, who raced towards goal in a one-on-one position and got a boot to it but Hemming was brave to deny.
Five minutes later, they were now a matter of inches away from the elusive second of the evening when some liquid football saw Appere and Brophy combine for Smith on the right-hand side of the box, whose first-time effort was denied on the line by a recovering Mandeville.
Two minutes into injury time, the hosts were dealt a major blow when Chesterfield stole a point at the death when centre-back McFadzean sent a half-volley into the net from outside the box. It was a killer blow for the men in amber, whose endeavour looked to have got them over the line, but now needed to settle for a share of the spoils.
Up next, the U’s make the short journey to Stadium MK on Saturday (13th December) to take on promotion hopefuls MK Dons – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett, Jobe, Watts, Purrington, Smith, Mpanzu, Brophy, McConnell (Hoddle, 61’), Mayor, Kachunga (Appere, 61’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Kaikai, Knight, Ibsen Rossi, Gibbons
Goalscorers: Watts (12’)
Bookings:
Chesterfield: Hemming, Tanton, Dunkley, McFadzean, Lewis (Gordon, 67’), Naylor, Stirk (Butterfield, 66’), Mandeville, Darcy (Dickson, 80’), Duffy (Berry, 67’), Bonis (Grigg, 79’)
Subs Not Used: Boot, Daley-Campbell
Goalscorers: McFadzean (90+2’)
Bookings:
Referee: Elliott Swallow
