Cambridge United were unable to make ground on their relegation rivals in Sky Bet League One as Leyton Orient came from behind to pick up a 1-2 win at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
The U’s had an element of organisation about them as they went into the break a goal to the good thanks to Josh Stokes’ eighth of the season, but the visitors’ attacking prowess proved their worth after the break as the division’s leading goalscorer Charlie Kelman equalised before Jamie Donley secured the comeback with a half-volley to leave United’s survival hopes hanging by a thread.
Determined to gain further momentum after the dramatic victory at Huddersfield Town on Good Friday, Neil Harris decided on three changes to his starting XI as Danny Andrew, Sullay Kaikai and Ryan Loft returned to the fold, whilst Shayne Lavery and Jubril Okedina were named on the bench following injury lay-offs.
Looking to feed off the atmosphere within the opening stages, the hosts showcased some early energy but were forced to dig deep when the O’s – arriving off the back of three wins in a row – orchestrated the first chances.
On the 11th minute, Spurs loanee Donley was presented with a free-kick from 25 yards out, which from decent territory he whipped it over the wall and towards the bottom corner, where Jack Stevens was on hand to dive and deny. Pinball followed from here, where Donley’s snapshot passed a sea of defenders and flashed past the post.
Just after riding the storm, the U’s pounced and rounded off an exceptional counter-attack with the opener 18 minutes in. A well-crafted move started by the goalscorer, Stokes picked out Kaikai down the left with a sublime ball, where the winger cut through his man and crossed exquisitely to Loft at the back post, whose header into the six-yard box was powerfully smuggled home by Stokes and past a parrying Josh Keeley.
United couldn’t have wished for a better start – so with an advantage to protect, they sat tight and focused on winning their duels as Richie Wellens’ men accumulated the possession and looked for a way back.
A head injury to James Brophy just after the half hour mark allowed a few minutes to go over tactics to help preserve the lead going into the break, where the U’s had been penned in but ultimately were organised and had limited Orient to very little.
An authoritative start to the second half saw Harris’ side threaten from the right once more on 47. Kaikai’s cross deflected to Stokes with his back to goal in the area, who touched it down and flicked on target, but Keeley was on hand to claim.
The chances continued, with Stokes’ corner five minutes later received by James Gibbons, who planted a firm header on target from 12 yards out but again the visiting goalkeeper confidently caught.
Just shy of the hour, Paul Digby released Stokes in a one-on-one position with a smart header – the attacker scampered forwards but couldn’t pull the trigger quick enough as Rarmani Edmonds-Green recovered. A big moment for the U’s, who were aggrieved not to have capitalised.
Moments after a third substitution was made, the East London outfit levelled matters when wideman Dan Agyei picked out Kelman at the back post, who headed past Stevens for his 21st of the season.
In similar fashion to Friday, United looked to immediately respond up the other end, with Kaikai stinging the palms of Keeley on the 67th minute from distance.
A double change beckoned, with Liam Bennett on out wide and Lavery making his first appearance since late December, with the latter immediately causing problems. After sensationally touching down a high ball, the Northern Irishman opened up space in the penalty box but couldn’t keep his shot down as he lashed over the crossbar.
The tie was turned on its head on the 77th minute as Donley took a delicate touch from 20 yards and hit a sweet, dipping volley past a helpless Stevens.
In the dying embers, Lavery did everything right to twist and turn at an angle inside the area, but he drilled his strike wide of the opposite post.
Ultimately, it was not to be United’s day, who dropped to 23rd and retained the five-point gap from safety with just two matches of the season remaining.
Up next, the U’s are on their travels for the final time this campaign on Saturday (26th April) as they do battle with Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Stevens, Gibbons (Ballard, 80’), Morrison, Watts, Andrew (Bennett, 74’), Digby (Kachunga, 80’), Stevenson, Brophy, Stokes, Kaikai (Lavery, 74’), Loft
Subs Not Used: Bishop, Okedina, Hoddle
Goalscorers: Stokes (18’)
Bookings: Brophy, Loft
Leyton Orient: Keeley, Galbraith, Beckles, Edmonds-Green, Currie (O’Neill, 88’), Clare (Abdulai, 62’), Brown, Markanday (Agyei, 45’), Donley, Williams (Jaiyesimi, 45’), Kelman (Cooper, 84’)
Subs Not Used: Phillips, Ball
Goalscorers: Kelman (66’), Donley (77’)
Bookings: Abdulai
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Attendance: 7414 (1035 away fans)
