Cambridge United gained their third consecutive Sky Bet League Two win at the Cledara Abbey Stadium as they showcased character to hold firm for a 2-1 success against Bromley…
A rapid start to the lunchtime kick-off saw Shayne Lavery apply a finishing touch just one minute into proceedings, with his strike partner Kylian Kouassi getting in on the act late in the first half with a thunderous strike. Although it felt like a very different encounter after the break when Michael Cheek pulled a goal back for the Ravens, the hosts dug in to claim maximum points.
Determined to register a positive response to the 2-0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town a week earlier, Neil Harris named three changes to his XI, with the Head Coach recalling Ben Purrington, Dom Ball and Sullay Kaikai.
Donning their fresh special-edition fourth strip, the U’s got off to the perfect start with just 75 seconds on the clock. A high ball into the box was met by the front two, with Kouassi pulling the trigger and seeing his shot take a slight deflection from Lavery to guide it home past a helpless Sam Long. Albeit the smallest of touches, the Northern Irishman rightfully wheeled away to claim.
Under the tutelage of Andy Woodman, Bromley had enjoyed a fine rise over the years and, although they had started this encounter slow, they soon dished up their first opportunity on the 9th minute when Ben Thompson’s fierce strike from 20 yards was palmed away by Jake Eastwood.
Straight up the other end, United went agonisingly close to extending their lead when Kouassi raced away in the area and squared to Lavery, whose instinctive first-time shot was denied by the feet of Long from close range.
Harris’ men had been really assuring at home, with just the solitary defeat from their opening eight in all competitions, so this front-footed start was a pleasing response.
On the 26th minute, a really neat move from Adam Mayor saw him beat a man in the middle of the park and play to Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who embarked on an inspired run, proving too strong for the Ravens as he skipped into space to test his luck, but the shot was always rising.
The fluid movements in the final third continued for the hosts, who forced pinball in the area on 37 and kept the ball alive for Kouassi to grab the last touch from a matter of yards out, but Long crucially matched it before the visiting defence hit it away for a corner to ensure a quick breather.
Five minutes before the break, Cambridge doubled their healthy advantage courtesy of the industrious Kouassi. Played in by Purrington’s quick throw, the loanee held off his man with his back to goal, before setting himself up to fire a venomous shot into the top corner.
You couldn’t deny the significance of that goal for United, with the second being just the cushion they deserved to help retain the superiority in attack, whilst the back four continued to nullify the Ravens.
The London outfit rolled the dice with four changes at the break, which included Nicke Kabamba to add an extra presence up front. This paid early dividends when a ball over the top was pounced at by Cheek, who did well to control and lob over Eastwood to get his side back in the game on the 50th minute.
A shadow of their former selves, the U’s were yet to retain that foothold as the second half ticked on. There was a pause on 65 when an injury to referee Declan Bourne meant an announcement was made for a qualified official in the crowd to become the fourth official, with linesman Sam Wesson taking the whistle.
Once play resumed, Korey Smith was introduced to help protect the lead – with the midfielder almost getting in on the act on the 88th minute when he slipped in Kouassi down the right, who beat his man and got his shot underway with the angle tightening in the box, but it was a stern stop from Long.
There was lots still to play for at CB5, with 15 minutes of injury time indicated just as Mamadou Jobe and Elias Kachunga were drafted in.
An eye-catching piece of skill from Bromley caused a real scare when Mitch Pinnock’s bicycle kick teed up Thompson nicely to hit a speculative 20-yard volley, which potentially may have been heading towards goal if it wasn’t for an important block. The following corner was Omar Sowunmi flick a header, but Kachunga was there on the line to scoop away.
From here, United navigated their way to full-time in professional fashion to secure an instant return to winning ways and a continuation of their strong form on home soil.
Up next, the U’s take on the Bees of Barnet at the Hive on Tuesday evening (21st October) knowing a win would all but secure their passage towards the knockout stages of the Vertu Trophy.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Gibbons, Morrison, Watts, Purrington, Kaikai (Smith, 81’), Ball, Mpanzu, Mayor (Jobe, 90’), Lavery, Kouassi (Kachunga, 90’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Bennett, Brophy, Knight
Goalscorers: Lavery (01’), Kouassi (40’)
Bookings: Mpanzu, Lavery
Bromley: Long, Samuel (Kambamba, 46’), Cameron (Elerewe, 46’), Sowunmi, Odutayo, Arthurs, Charles (Hondermarck, 46’), Krauhaus (Ifill, 46’), Thompson (Whitely, 90+5’), Pinnock, Cheek
Subs Not Used: Smith, Ilunga
Goalscorers: Cheek (50’)
Bookings: Samuel
Referee: Declan Bourne
Attendance: 5839 (427 away fans)
