Cambridge United 1-2 Huddersfield Town
Sky Bet League One
Saturday 29th August 2026
Cambridge United tasted defeat for the first time this season in Sky Bet League One as Huddersfield Town came from behind to snatch a 1-2 win at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
After initially cancelling each other out on an afternoon of little chances, the encounter burst into life in its latter stages as the U’s drew first blood ten minutes from time courtesy of Zak Bradshaw. Ultimately, the drama was not done there as Joe Taylor immediately levelled matters and then converted a penalty to seal maximum points.
Going into the encounter at a gloomy CB5, both sides boasted four points from a strong opening two performances and now looked to continue their unbeaten start, with the visitors eager to kick on and challenge at the top end of the table after respective finishes of 10th and 9th.
Four days on from bowing out of the Carabao Cup at the hands of Millwall, Neil Harris named four changes to his starting XI, which included a Club debut for Cathal Heffernan as he was joined by Callum Perry, Ben Knight and Louis Appere from the off. Elsewhere, an attack-minded bench included recent loan signings Owen Moxon and Ra’ees Bangura-Williams.
Martin Drury’s side kicked things off by testing the opposing penalty box with some early crosses, but the U’s were willing to contend with it effectively. Up the other end, they registered the first attempt of the day on the 7th minute when Perry’s delivery into the area found Liam Bennett at the back post – a good header towards the far post looked promising but lacked pace as Matty Young dived to smother away.
Creating something from a pluck out of the air on the 15th minute, Ashley Fletcher tested his luck with a speculative half-volley from 25 yards, which cracked against Jake Eastwood’s right post for the opening big chance.
A few minutes later, United threatened when Appere did well to latch down the right and cut into the mixer, where first Bradshaw had a stab at the ball and then Isaac Heath but a stern block put to an end the opportunity.
Whilst the matchup continued to ebb and flow, the U’s were strong in the press and consistently capitalising on Huddersfield’s attempts to spray it around the park.
There was a brief stoppage in play during the 40th minute after Kell Watts collided with Fletcher, but fortunately after treatment he was able to carry on as his defence remained assured.
The last moment of the first half saw Derensili Sanches Fernandes’ free-kick from near the half-way line float towards a packed area where Murray Wallace rose highest, but the experienced centre-back couldn’t power a header past Eastwood who claimed.
It was as you were after the break from both teams, but Cambridge posed the most danger as the rain teemed down. A deep free-kick from Knight was met by Bradshaw, who headed into the path of Appere, but the frontman was physically matched as the chance lacked enough power to truly test Young.
Changes beckoned on the eve of the hour as Harris opted for directness and strength in Sullay Kaikai and Gassan Ahadme, whereas the Terriers introduced Archie Collins and Bojan Radulovic in an attempt to find some control from a game which remained in the balance.
As the clock ticked down, both goalkeepers went untested as Moxon and Bangura-Williams received their first minutes in amber. That soon changed on 74 when Kaikai was fouled from 20 yards out – the Sierra Leone man rightfully fancied it and nestled a fizzing shot which Young needed to dip over the crossbar.
In the ascendency now, the U’s were enjoying a good spell as they marauded towards the Newmarket Road End. A corner was bravely matched by Watts and back at an unmarked Perry inside the penalty box, but his tricky snapshot was slashed inches past the post.
Cambridge’s perseverance paid off on 80 when an excellent piece of combination play sent CB5 into raptures. Moxon’s pinpoint pass towards the right flank found Bangura-Williams, who outmuscled his man and supplied a drilled assist to an open Bradshaw from 12 yards who slotted into the net.
Agonisingly, they were dealt a major blow seconds later as Radulovic linked up with Taylor, who picked his spot and nestled into the bottom corner.
The ecstasy had soon turned into agony when the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty on 88 when Taylor looked wriggle through. From the spot, he sent Eastwood the wrong way to hand his side a late lead.
Nine minutes of injury time was indicated as Shayne Lavery was brought on to help throw the kitchen sink. Dominic Ball’s right-footed strike was too high following a corner and the last moment fell to Bennett who headed wide from 12 yards as United were cruelly forced into their first loss of the campaign.
Up next, it’s a trip to Mbanq Valley Parade on Tuesday evening (1st September) as the U’s pit their wits against Bradford City – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Heffernan, Watts, Perry (Lavery, 89’), Bennett, Ball, Mpanzu (Moxon, 73’), Bradshaw, Knight (Bangura-Williams, 73’), Heath (Kaikai, 58’), Appere (Ahadme, 58’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, McConnell
Goalscorers: Bradshaw (80’)
Bookings: Bradshaw, Bennett
Huddersfield Town: Young, Balker, Wallace, Bowat, Bronkhorst, Ledson, Harness, Sway (Collins, 65’), Fernandes (Low, 90+6’), Fletcher (Radulovic, 65’), Taylor
Subs Not Used: Tzanev, Sorensen, Kasumu, Sebine
Goalscorers: Taylor (81’, 88’)
Bookings:
Referee: Harrison Blair
Attendance: 7,041 (1,036 away fans)
