Cambridge United enter the final week of the Sky Bet League Two campaign inside the automatic promotion zone after they comprehensively dispatched Barrow 3-0 at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
Following on from an authoritative first half, where Ben Knight slotted home the all-important opener, the U’s maintained an element of control and soon extended their advantage through a James Gibbons barnstormer, before Adam Mayor forced an own goal 20 minutes from time to secure an instant return to winning ways.
Four days on from Grimsby Town inflicting a first league defeat at CB5 since September following a late 1-2 win, Neil Harris opted with an unchanged XI, whilst Elias Kachunga returned to the matchday squad by taking a place on the bench.
With plenty still to fight for at opposite ends of the table heading into the final two matches of the season, the U’s had responded well to setbacks all throughout the season, so were determined to tick off the first of two victories which would secure a place in the top three. In their way stood Barrow, languishing in a dogfight for survival with four other sides – they were after their first away win of the year.
Looking to take the game to the visitors from the first whistle, United accumulated the majority of the possession within the opening stages and were dictating the play with confidence. On the 10th minute, their first attempt of the afternoon saw Sullay Kaikai attempt a speculative free-kick from over 25 yards, lacing it with power and height but it trickled wide of Wyll Stanway’s right post.
A couple of minutes passed before Kaikai threatened again when he had the time to pick his spot from outside of the area, but it was drilled wide of the mark.
This strong start was overshadowed on the 20th minute when Kaikai was forced off with injury. James Brophy was brought on in his place and was accustomed to a busy introduction when his corner found Dom Ball on the edge of the six-yard box, who did well to get a flick on it, but he couldn’t keep his shot down as it sliced over the crossbar.
Orchestrating their best move of the afternoon five minutes later, Mayor was released down the left and put in a delivery where Brophy almost flicked a header perfectly for Liam Bennett at the back post, but the full-back couldn’t quite scoop it on target as Stanway claimed.
The Bluebirds’ resistance was broken and the roof was off on 33 when Cambridge earned the valuable opener. Following a heavy and patient spell in possession, Ball floated a delivery into the penalty box where Bennett did well to cut it back to Knight who made no mistake from close range to slot in his 11th of the season.
Gaining that advantage had breathed extra life into the U’s, who were intelligent in their build-up play and thoroughly assuring defensively. Knight almost latched onto the momentum by gaining a second moments later when Louis Appere wheeled away down the left and unselfishly squared back to the goalscorer, who couldn’t keep his strike down from 12 yards.
Finishing the first half with a flurry of chances, United were presented with some glorious opportunities to stretch the lead when Knight leaped well to unleash a header towards the roof of the net, but an impressive fingertip from Stanway forced a corner, before the creative Mayor once again picked out Kell Watts, who looped towards the opposite post, but it trickled agonisingly wide.
Keen to continue piling on the pressure after the break, a long throw found its way to Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who pulled the trigger from the edge of the box which forced Stanway into a smart low stop.
On the 51st minute, another moment went begging when Knight weaved into space in the box and supplied Brophy, who was clever to feint past a man and shoot but a crucial block put the ball behind.
As it would turn out, the elusive second was around the corner – arriving in scintillating style just shy of the hour mark. Capping a memorable day after being chosen as the Club’s Player of the Season pre-match, Gibbons tested his luck with a 25-yard effort which rifled into the top corner to give his side breathing space.
In response, Sam Foley’s side ringed the changes but they were finding little success against the U’s resilient backline. Michael Morrison and Elliott Nevitt were soon drafted on by Harris to ensure a professional conclusion.
Maximum points were sealed on the 72nd minute when Mayor’s inswinging corner got enough curl to test Stanway, who couldn’t keep out the goalmouth scramble as the ball found its way in to put Cambridge home and dry.
From here, it was plain sailing for the hosts, who didn’t look like surrendering their clean sheet as they kept up the same tempo until the final whistle to put them back up to 3rd with 81 points.
Up next, it all comes down to the curtain closer for the 2025/26 campaign next Saturday (2nd May) at the Mornflake Stadium as the U’s take on Crewe Alexandra, knowing a victory would secure an instant return to the third tier.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett, Jobe, Watts (Morrison, 68’), Gibbons, Ball, Mpanzu, Kaikai (Brophy, 20’), Knight (Smith, 83’), Mayor (Purrington, 83’), Appere (Nevitt, 69’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Kachunga
Goalscorers: Knight (33’), Gibbons (56’), OG (73’)
Bookings:
Barrow: Stanway, Raglan, MacDonald, Anderson (Newby, 59’), Thompson, MJ Williams, McCann, Harper, Smith (Fletcher, 59’), Hemmings (Rose, 59’), Gordon (Malcolm, 81’)
Subs Not Used: Winterbottom, Whitfield
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Williams, Stanway, McCann
Referee: Stephen Parkinson
Attendance: 7,512 (265 away fans)
