Cambridge United returned to winning ways in Sky Bet League One with a morale-boosting 3-2 victory over Mansfield Town at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
Start as you mean to go on was the mantra for the U’s, who came out of the blocks firing when Michael Morrison poked home and Josh Stokes slotted in a penalty within the opening five minutes. Moments into the second half, Ryan Loft cannoned his first strike in amber in spectacular fashion, but the Stags grew from here and clawed back goals through George Maris and Lee Gregory. In a nervy conclusion, the hosts remained firm to terminate a seven-match winless run and bridge the gap from safety.
In response to the impressive performance at Bolton Wanderers a week earlier, which saw his side have to settle for a point, Garry Monk opted with one change to his starting XI as captain Morrison returned from suspension to replace Dan Barton. Elsewhere, Paul Digby, James Gibbons and Jubril Okedina all made the bench following their respective injury lay-offs.
For the second match running, United got off to a lightning start by drawing first blood after just 48 seconds. Worked from a long Danny Andrew throw, Jordan Cousins was clever in recycling a header to Josh Stokes inside the area, whose intended cross was on a plate for Morrison who stabbed home from a matter of yards.
Remaining front-footed and latching onto the momentum, playmaker Stokes roared his side towards a two-goal advantage on the 6th minute from the spot. After racing through the Stags’ defence in a one-on-one position, he was blatantly dragged down by Alfie Kilgour and then coolly dispatched into the bottom corner before wheeling away.
It was all the U’s in the opening stages, with the visitors unable to catch their breath and deal with the fluidity and range of passes. On 12, a rapid counter kickstarted by James Brophy won a corner, which was concluded by Kell Watts at the back post, who got his angles wrong as he blazed just wide.
Another chance went begging ten minutes later when Morrison was found free in an inviting position on the right – he drilled a delivery across the six-yard box towards an onrushing Loft who, despite lunging, the ball just evaded him.
Extremely likely to grab a third, Monk’s men charged forwards once more on the half an hour mark through Elias Kachunga down the left. He embarked on a driving run and then floated a cross towards the mixer, which fell kindly to Stokes from 10 yards who took a quick touch and pulled the trigger, only to be denied by a stern Deji Oshilaja block.
Up the other end, Marko Marosi was yet to be tested, but the only dampener of an excellent first half was when the new goalkeeper went down and required treatment on 37. Showing real discomfort, the Slovak was forced off and replaced by Jack Stevens.
The first booking of the afternoon fell to Elliott Hewitt during the six additional minutes when Loft released a scampering Brophy, but the defender pulled him back. Up stepped Stokes, who tested his luck from 20 yards and was denied only by a diving save from Christy Pym.
All in all, the hosts had created plenty and were good value for their lead – but could they maintain that level? Early signs indicated that they could following the break, with Kachunga immediately shooting on target at Pym from a tricky angle seconds in.
On 46, Loft opened his account and sent the home support into ecstasy with a barnstormer of a strike. After Mansfield failed to clear their lines, the frontman hit a venomous shot into the top corner to hand his side another perfect start.
Straight after making a triple swap, Nigel Clough’s side conjured up their first opportunity of the match just shy of the hour when a cross was powered at by Aden Flint – now playing up top – but Zeno Ibsen Rossi did well to block and force a corner.
Reinvigorated, the Stags were now on top and proving a threat with their physicality in the box. Will Evans tapped the crossbar from yards out on 60, with the resulting corner falling to former U George Maris from 15 yards out who fired past Stevens.
Although it looked likely Cambridge would now need to ride the wave, their response was almost perfect on 63 when Morrison was denied a brace when his snapshot struck the post following Kachunga’s initial attempt.
Loft received a standing ovation from all corners of the ground on the 70th minute for his workmanlike shift, with Digby replacing him for his first minutes of football since early November.
The chances at both ends continued, with Andrew’s exquisite delivery was to the location of a rising Ibsen Rossi, but the centre-back couldn’t connect to it. From here, visiting substitutes combined when Stephen McLaughlin’s cross was headed at by Ben Waine – the New Zealand international did well to crane his neck and fire at goal, but Stevens was there to get low and claim.
With the clock ticking, the U’s rolled the changes with Gibbons and Okedina returning to the fray and Brandon Njoku also tasked to help see out the victory.
A nervy conclusion awaited, with the Stags winning a penalty after Ibsen Rossi brought down Waine in the box, injuring his shoulder in the process. Gregory fired into the corner with a well-taken shot to cut the advantage to the solitary goal.
During the eight minutes of injury time, the 10 men of Cambridge won every header to pass the test of steel and character for a well-earned rendition of coconuts.
Up next, there’s some midweek action on Tuesday (28th January) for United as they make the trip to the AESSEAL New York Stadium to take on Rotherham United.
Cambridge United: Marosi (Stevens, 38’), Ibsen Rossi, Morrison, Watts, Bennett (Okedina, 81’), Cousins, Brophy, Andrew (Gibbons, 81’), Stokes, Kachunga (Njoku, 82’), Loft (Digby, 70’)
Subs Not Used: Barton, Longelo
Goalscorers: Morrison (01’), Stokes (06’), Loft (46’)
Bookings: Digby, Stevens
Mansfield Town: Pym, Hewitt (Boateng, 54’), Kilgour, Flint, Oshilaja, Blake-Tracy, Reed (Maris, 54’), Baccus, Lewis (McLaughlin, 55’), Evans (Waine, 64’), Akins (Gregory, 82’)
Subs Not Used: Flinders, Cargill
Goalscorers: Maris (60’), Gregory (90’)
Bookings: Hewitt, Blake-Tracy
Referee: Thomas Parsons
Attendance: 6687 (1032 away fans)