Cambridge United continued their blistering form at the Cledara Abbey Stadium and ramped up the momentum heading into the Christmas schedule in Sky Bet League Two as they overcame Accrington Stanley with a convincing 2-0 success…
Captain for the evening James Gibbons handed his side the lead on the stroke of half-time with a venomous shot, before Sullay Kaikai’s guided header on the hour put the game to bed as the U’s showcased professionalism to see out a 10th league clean sheet of the campaign and make it seven without defeat in the fourth tier.
Following on from the 1-1 draw at MK Dons six days earlier, Neil Harris freshened up his pack by naming three changes to the XI as Gibbons, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and James Brophy were restored, whilst Shane McLoughlin and Shayne Lavery returned to the bench following injury lay-offs.
Primed to be a good matchup between two teams in fine spirits, the U’s – well and truly in the play-off mix - were out to extend their 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions as the games turned thick and fast. The visitors from Lancashire looked secure in their third season back at this level, with defeat to Bromley last time out their first in 10.
CB5 was rocking from the first whistle of the evening, with the hosts determined not to surrender their scintillating run on home soil, where they had gone undefeated since early September with seven wins in that time.
Following a heavy spell in possession, Gibbons was presented with the chance to get the first strike away on the 6th minute when the ball was presented to the full-back from just over 20 yards out, whose speculative drill was just wide of Oliver Wright’s left post.
It had been an imposing, front-footed start, with Cambridge asking all of the questions. The industrious Liam Bennett picked out a sharp cross from the right towards the six-yard box – it was met by Louis Appere, who craned his neck and got the header away, but it sailed over the crossbar.
There was a calmer tempo to the match from here, with an even share of the ball but little action in the final third for both.
The U’s were dealt a blow on the 38th minute when, after going down in the box with an injury to the right thigh, mainstay Kell Watts was forced off. Replacement Zeno Ibsen Rossi was quick to get in the thick of things, needing to win his duels as Accrington began to show invention and probe.
Nonetheless, four minutes into additional time the hosts found a way to find the foothold by unlocking the scoring. A well-worked move by Kaikai saw him skin his man in the area before his cutback trickled to a lone Gibbons from 15 yards who thundered past a sea of defenders and into the net.
Although there was an eagerness to accelerate their levels and gain more of a cushion following the break, Harris’ men were dealt their first scare on 49 when Conor Grant’s defence-splitting pass was found by Isaac Sinclair at the right-hand side of the six-yard box, but a recovering Adam Mayor did incredibly well to prevent a shot and force a corner.
The tide would turn from here, with United finding that spark and fluidity in the attack. On the 54th minute, progressive play from Bennett found Brophy, who slipped in Kaikai down the left – the number 11 leaned back and looked to curl but he couldn’t generate the conviction as an onrushing Wright denied.
On the stroke of the hour, the winger made his next opportunity count as he doubled the advantage in front of the Newmarket Road End. Supplied by a pinpoint cross from the byline by Mayor, Kaikai showed energy to get across his marker and glance a header into the near-post from close range.
Ultimately the second had knocked the stuffing out of John Doolan’s men, with Cambridge now in control of proceedings and showing resilience defensively. Shaun Whalley was presented with a free-kick on 73 from enticing range, but it was deflected behind, with the resulting follow up from Dan Martin blocked by Mayor.
10 minutes from time, McLoughlin and Lavery were introduced for the first time since picking up injuries in October, who alongside the rest of the team stayed alert and professional to record another three points at the Abbey and climb up to 5th in the table.
Up next, festive football continues on Boxing Day (26th December) when the U’s make the trip to Priestfield Stadium to take on Gillingham – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Gibbons, Jobe, Watts (Ibsen Rossi, 38’), Bennett, Hoddle, Mpanzu, Mayor, Brophy (McLoughlin, 79’), Kaikai (Knight, 85’), Appere (Lavery, 79’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Kachunga, McConnell
Goalscorers: Gibbons (45+4’), Kaikai (59’)
Bookings: Watts
Accrington Stanley: Wright, Love, Ward, O’Brien, Grant, Conneely (Brown, 78’), Bauress (Martin, 45+5’), Heath (Woods, 77’), Sinclair (Henderson, 63’), Whalley, Caton
Subs Not Used: Kelly
Goalscorers:
Bookings:
Referee: Richie Watkins
Attendance: 5788 (99 away fans)
