Cambridge United marched towards the Third Round of the Carabao Cup for the first time since 1998 after they professionally dispatched Charlton Athletic 3-1 at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
Starting in authoritative manner, the U’s found themselves two goals to the good within half an hour as a slick opener was rounded off by James Brophy before Kylian Kouassi rifled home his first goal in amber. A long-range finish from Ibby Fullah reduced the deficit on the cusp of the break, but the hosts remained unfazed throughout the second half, with Zak Bradshaw’s early finish sealing their passage into the anticipated draw.
Eager to react to the defeat at Bristol Rovers three days earlier by picking up a small scalp, Neil Harris opted with six changes to his starting XI. Jake Eastwood, Kell Watts, James Gibbons, Shane McLoughlin and Elias Kachunga all kept their places, while Zeno Ibsen Rossi and Kouassi made their first starts of the campaign.
Nathan Jones’ men - who dispatched Stevenage previously - rotated every single player and needed time to build up steam, as the U’s came out of the blocks hungrier with some neat build-up, albeit without testing the visiting goalkeeper.
With 10 minutes on the clock, the Addicks threatened for the first time when a cross was matched by the head of Tanto Olaofe, who did well to crane his neck and flick the header, but it flashed wide of Eastwood’s left post.
A few minutes later, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu got fans off their seats as he showcased some silky feet to twist and turn past former U Harvey Knibbs on the edge of the area, but his attempted cutback into the mixer was claimed.
On 14, Brophy was celebrating his third of the campaign after he slotted home a well-crafted United attack. Starting down the left through Bradshaw, Kachunga and Ben Knight advanced play with some eye-catching link-up, resulting in the former racing down the flank and squaring to the path of Brophy who calmly dispatched from close range.
In response, Charlton probed and almost responded on the 22nd minute through £5 million pound man Charlie Kelman, who got on the end of some recycled play by opening up space for an angled effort, only to be denied by Ibsen Rossi’s stern block to force a corner.
United’s evening got even better on the verge of half hour as Kouassi opened his account with a sublime finish. After being fed by the impressive Bradshaw - who had shown strength to overcome his man – the Blackpool loanee had time to keep his head up, float past a defender and rifle a low effort past Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
Overall, it had been an assuring half for the hosts, who had been excellent value for their lead. Nonetheless, their Championship opponents were beginning to craft a foothold – one they capitalised on a minute before the break as Fullah picked out a 25-yard effort that dipped and trickled into the net to get his side back in the game.
Into the third minute of injury time, Ibsen Rossi leapt high to meet a free-kick with his head, falling to an unmarked Kachunga from 12 yards out, who chested it down but fizzed wide of the post.
Importantly, the lead was intact, but it was an unfortunate time for the U’s to concede. As expected, Charlton were rejuvenated and carved out a good chance on 48 when Joe Rankin-Costello fed Karoy Anderson with a cross, but the number 18 headed over the crossbar.
After Knibbs forced Eastwood into a strong low stop on 53, United embarked on a run down the other end which resulted in them restoring their two-goal lead. Played into the penalty area by Brophy, the ball evaded Kouassi and kindly fell to Kachunga – the forward was denied by Maynard-Brewer on the line, but Bradshaw was looming, who powered home in front of the Newmarket Road End.
Changes loomed, with Jones opting for youth in his changes and Harris bringing on individual quality in Dominic Ball, Sullay Kaikai and Louis Appere, whereas Glenn McConnell was handed his first minutes of the season shortly after.
Although one eye was also on the bread and butter that is the Football League, what mattered now was game management. The substitutions couldn’t add that intensity for the Addicks, whereas the U’s continued to go close when Ball darted Liam Bennett’s cross wide.
Eight minutes additional time was indicated, which included a second yellow card for Anderson, but to a man Cambridge continued to put in a really committed shift to ensure their road to Wembley continues.
Up next, it’s the first of back-to-back league fixtures at CB5 on Saturday (30th August) when Newport County make the trip – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Gibbons, Ibsen Rossi, Watts, Bradshaw, Mpanzu (Ball, 61’), McLoughlin, Brophy (Kaikai, 61’), Kachunga (Bennett, 81’), Knight (McConnell, 71’), Kouassi (Appere, 61’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Purrington, Loft, Hoddle
Goalscorers: Brophy (14’), Kouassi (28’), Bradshaw (54’)
Bookings:
Charlton Athletic: Maynard-Brewer, Laqeretabua, Mitchell, Gillesphey (Gough, 74’), Knibbs (Enslin, 64’), Rankin-Costello (Mwamba, 63’), Anderson, Hobden (Mbick, 64’), Fullah, Olaofe, Kelman (Rylah, 62’)
Subs Not Used: Mannion, Reid, Lock, Ewans-Findlay
Goalscorers: Fullah (44’)
Bookings: Olaofe, Gillesphey, Hobden, Anderson (RED)
Referee: David Rock
Attendance: 3,231 (736 away fans)
