Cambridge United made it two victories from two in their Jersey Mike’s Trophy campaign as they dispatched Northampton Town 2-1 at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s opener was cancelled out early in the second half by Matty Warhurst, but the U’s made the most of their main opportunity when Gassan Ahadme converted from the penalty spot on the hour to rise his side to the top of Group G South.
Coming into this fixture off the back of a convincing 1-4 triumph at Gillingham in their opening clash, the onus was on the hosts to all but secure their passage to the knockouts and extend their current unbeaten run in all competitions which stood at six matches. In their way, local outfit Northampton who had endured a tough 0-3 defeat to a clinical Brighton youth side previously and sat 22nd in the League Two table.
10 days on from gaining a draw against AFC Wimbledon, Neil Harris opted with five changes to his starting XI as Gabriel Breeze was picked between the sticks, Sullay Kaikai and Ra’ees Bangura-Williams returned following international duty with Sierra Leone, Patrick Bauer was back in action after an injury and George Hoddle received his first start of the campaign.
In a low-key introduction to the match, the Cobblers looked the liveliest of the two in the final third. With eight minutes on the clock, Lee Evans tried his luck from distance with a 25-yard free-kick which was assuringly claimed by Breeze, before the goalkeeper was tested again shortly after when Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh picked out Owen Dale down the right, who shot on target with the angle closing in but the goalkeeper was there at the near post to catch.
It took until the 24th minute for United to conjure up their first shot of the evening when Bangura-Williams was presented with a snapshot from the centre of the box, but it was straight at an alert Zach Jeacock.
Rapidly growing into the encounter and finding control, a silky move out wide – where Kaikai and Bangura-Williams showcased good link-up play – saw the ball advance to Hoddle, whose neat flick to Heath allowed him to pick his spot from 20 yards but it lacked bite as Jeacock caught the attempt.
Just shy of the half hour mark, Cambridge worked their way into the ascendency when Zak Bradshaw’s over-the-top ball found Heath on the left, who applied the afterburners and supplied a drilled delivery towards an incoming Mpanzu who fired a low attempt into the corner from 12 yards out.
Now with a lead to protect, the U’s looked composed as the first half reached its latter stages, keeping Northampton at bay despite a late spell where Dale utilised his pace to drive towards the penalty box and let fly, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.
Plotting changes at the break, the Head Coach introduced Owen Moxon for the second half as Hoddle made way, whereas Chris Hogg brought on experience in Jon Guthrie, Max Dyche and Sam Hoskins.
Five minutes into the second period, the visitors levelled matters as Josh Powell worked his way down the left and picked out Warburton from close range with a powerful cross which helped the striker nestle a first time shot past Breeze.
Just when Moxon had sent in his corner kick on 60, Ahadme was wrestled to the floor, giving referee Aaron Farmer no choice but to point to the spot. Confident from 12 yards, the striker sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to restore the advantage.
It proved to be his last kick of the game as a trio of changes saw Dom Ball, Ben Knight and Shayne Lavery enter the field of play in pursuit of wrapping up the points.
As the clock ticked down, Cambridge accumulated more of the ball and picked the pockets of the Cobblers on frequent occasions. Jeacock’s gloves were warmed up on the 87th minute when Knight had a crack from outside of the area and was denied, before Lavery raced through from out wide seconds later but his drilled strike evaded the far corner by a matter of yards.
Pleasingly, United concluded in the ascendency with some front-footed football, which was enough to see them make it six points from a possible six heading into the final group meeting in early November.
Up next, league action returns on Saturday (10th September) back at CB5 as the U’s welcome Ian Evatt’s Blackpool – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Breeze, Heffernan, Bauer (Ball, 61’), Watts, Kaikai (Knight, 61’), Hoddle (Moxon, 46’), Mpanzu, Bradshaw, Bangura-Williams (Herd, 77’), Heath, Ahadme (Lavery, 62’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, McConnell
Goalscorers: Mpanzu (28’), Ahadme (61’)
Bookings: Watts
Northampton Town: Jeacock, Donacien (Guthrie, 46’), Moore, Briggs (Dyche, 46’), Powell, Wormleighton, Evans (Hoskins, 46’), O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Dale (Swyer, 72’), Lemonheigh-Evans, Warhurst (Opoku, 71’)
Subs Not Used: Dadge, List
Goalscorers: Warhurst (50’)
Bookings: Powell, Lemonheigh-Evans
Referee: Aaron Farmer
Attendance: 888 (100 away fans)