Cambridge United fell to their first defeat in Sky Bet League One since August as Plymouth Argyle came away from the Cledara Abbey Stadium with a slender 2-3 win…
Played out in rainy conditions all throughout the afternoon, the U’s were undone on the stroke of half-time when the visitors forced an own goal before doubling their lead early in the second half through Harvey White. The hosts found a consolation through Sullay Kaikai but a penalty from Bim Pepple 20 minutes from time looked to have put the game to bed – nonetheless, Cambridge rallied and took the game to the wire when Shayne Lavery converted but time ultimately ran out as the points went back to Devon.
Consistently finding ways to churn out points with their never-say-die attitude, the know-how to hold out and a goalscoring knack, United entered the clash at CB5 unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions. A place and point below them sat the Pilgrims, who had won five from six prior to back-to-back defeats, so arrived with determination to bounce back.
Four days on from the valiant comeback draw against Wycombe Wanderers, Neil Harris named two changes to his starting XI as Ra’ees Bangura-Williams and Louis Appere returned to the fold, whereas Callum Stead appeared in the matchday squad for the first time this campaign.
With the rain teeming down and the wind picking up, both sides required time to find their feet in the early stages and navigate the weather.
On the 10th minute, Kaikai was slipped in down the left who applied the afterburners to skin his man and supply a cross into the box which was initially parried by Murphy Cooper and fell invitingly to Appere whose touch was heavy and straight back at the goalkeeper.
Pressure continued in Cambridge’s favour as Kaikai’s corner was headed back to the path of Ben Knight whose half-volley was deflected behind by a sea of defenders. The resulting set-piece saw the midfielder turned provider as he crossed towards the back post, but Appere headed over the crossbar following defensive pressure.
Up the other end, Jake Eastwood was called into action with two exceptional stops when he got down low to his bottom corner to deny White’s 25-yard free-kick before the ball was recycled to Will Evans who pulled the trigger from point-blank range, but the shot stopper clawed it away on the line.
Opening up in end-to-end fashion on the half hour mark, Pepple showcased pace to wriggle past the home defence and lash a strike from distance over the woodwork, before livewire Kaikai cut inside up the other end and rifled a shot high and wide from 20 yards.
Sticking to a positive tempo, the U’s caused a scare on 38 when Eastwood’s goal-kick was flicked over the top by the head of Appere to allow Bangura-Williams to race in, who opted to test his luck with a chip from distance but Cooper watched it float over.
Two minutes later, Tom Cleverley’s side opened the scoring when Xavier Amaechi corner caused danger in the six-yard area as the ball was converted into his own net by Appere.
On the stroke of the break, Pepple twisted and turning in a promising position but a superb recovery challenge from George Hoddle ensured it remained 0-1 at the whistle.
It was as you were for the second period with no changes made for either side, but in similar fashion to Tuesday evening United found themselves with a mountain to climb early on when Tyreeq Bakinson teed up White from under 25 yards who drilled a low shot home to double the advantage.
Just as the Devon outfit looked to have gained control, Cambridge pulled a goal back to breathe life into the tie when Liam Bennett’s cross from the right was cleared but only to an unmarked Kaikai at the back post who nestled in.
An immediate response was to ramp up the pressure as Owen Moxon and Lavery were introduced, but the Pilgrims very nearly had a third up the other end when Evans picked out a header across the face of goal to Pepple but he couldn’t keep the attempt down as it landed on the roof of the net.
Cambridge had now obtained the control with a nice rhythm to their game and slick passing moves, but it was the killer move in the final third they lacked.
As a result, Plymouth punished on the break as Caleb Watts slipped in Evans with a defence-splitting pass, who was brought down by Eastwood in the area. Pepple stepped up who made no mistake to restore the two-goal advantage.
Determined to finish in the ascendency, the hosts built up more possession and introduced Stead for the final stages. They set up another grandstand finish when Lavery scored for the third match in a row as he guided home Zak Bradshaw’s headed pass.
Throwing the kitchen sink in the dying embers, a barnstormer from Bennett had Cooper diving to his right to force one of many corners as Harris’ men supplied waves of attacks, but ultimately their unbeaten streak came to an end despite plenty of endeavour.
Up next, the U’s make the highly-anticipated trip to Hillsborough on Tuesday evening (27th October) to pit their wits against Sheffield Wednesday – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett, Heffernan, Watts, Bradshaw, Mpanzu (Stead, 79’), Hoddle (Moxon, 60’), Bangura-Williams (Lavery, 60’), Knight, Kaikai, Appere
Subs Not Used: Breeze, Bauer, Heath, Curtis
Goalscorers: Kaikai (56’), Lavery (87’)
Bookings: Kaikai, Heffernan
Plymouth Argyle: Cooper, Harding, Mitchell, Pleguezuelo, MacKenzie (Hartridge, 77’), Amaechi (Watts, 67’), Bakinson (Ibrahim, 82’), White, Sorinola (Edwards, 82’), Evans, Pepple
Subs Not Used: Storer, Curtis, Irow
Goalscorers: OG (40’), White (49’), Pepple (73’)
Bookings: Mitchell, Bakinson
Referee: Michael Barlow
Attendance: 7,756 (1,036 away fans)