Cambridge United made it four victories in a row in Sky Bet League Two as they showed character to see off Tranmere Rovers 4-2 in a thrilling, topsy-turvy encounter at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
Although Dylan Jones originally nodded the visitors into the lead on the stroke of half-time, the match burst into life in a thoroughly entertaining second half. Shayne Lavery’s venomous equaliser was immediately cancelled out by Charlie Whitaker, but the U’s once again found a way to fight back as a quickfire brace from Kell Watts and a Ben Knight finish in the dying embers helped extend the unbeaten run to 12 matches.
Following on from the victory away at Fleetwood Town the previous Saturday, Neil Harris felt there was no need to change a winning formula as he named an unchanged XI, whilst new recruit Elliott Nevitt made the bench.
Fresh from three wins on the bounce - which had elevated them to the upper echelons of the table – the task for United now was to stay there and build on their impressive unbeaten run. With no loss in the league since October, and just a sole defeat on home soil which stretched back to early September, they were full of optimism. In Tranmere, they would host a side in the middle of a sticky patch following three defeats from four, but Andy Crosby’s men would take solace from their form on the road – where they had picked up five wins from a possible 12.
Keen to keep the ball on the floor during what had been a comfortable start, the first real opportunity either side could muster up arrived on the 13th minute when a long throw from the hosts was floated to Sullay Kaikai on the outskirts of the six-yard box, who got his header away but directed it over the crossbar.
The Lancashire outfit, who sat in 17th position heading into the tie, caused their opening scare after 22 minutes when Patrick Brough won a corner, which was flicked on at the near-post by Connor Jennings, resulting in a brief scramble near the line before the ball was hacked away to safety.
Although there was some nice moments of combination play, it was a case of fighting for scraps for United in the opening half hour, who were up against a physical side.
With 10 minutes left of the first half, the chances started to become more frequent. After dispossessing in the middle of the park, Sam Finley was able to advance play which was initially cleared but would fall invitingly to Brough from 20 yards out, whose fierce effort was well wide of Eastwood’s left post.
On the 39th minute, the U’s created their best opportunity of the afternoon when Knight slipped in Kaikai inside the area, who passed his man and with the angle tightening picked out a left-footed shot which was well-stopped by goalkeeper Joe Murphy to force a corner.
Just as the break loomed, the hosts were dealt a sucker punch when Jones met Brough’s cross to divert a header which creeped into the back of the net to give Tranmere the advantage and United work to do.
The reaction following the 15 minutes of recuperation was a positive one, when on 56 Kaikai’s cross from the right was met well by the head of Appere, but the striker couldn’t generate the accuracy as it was guided wide.
Nonetheless, just seconds after coming on as a substitute, Lavery levelled matters when he kick-started a move which concluded with him hitting an instinctive strike on the bounce which thundered home from distance.
Just as Harris’ side had found their feet, Rovers went up the other end and regained their lead on 63 when Finley teed up Whitaker, whose first-time strike from 12 yards was slotted into the far corner.
In typical United fashion, the determination to roll their sleeves up and go again paid off, as they continued a bonkers spell by equalising once more just three minutes later. Put on a plate by James Brophy’s sublime cross, Watts’ powerful header was pawed by Murphy, but not enough to keep it from trickling in.
Extremely end-to-end, this contest looked unlikely to remain a draw. Straight up the other end, Tranmere almost silenced the Abbey when the returning Joe Ironside played in Billy Blacker for a wonderful opportunity, but his drilled attempt was crucially saved low by Jake Eastwood.
Roared on by the CB5 crowd, Cambridge sparked euphoria in front of the Newmarket Road End on the 76th minute by leading for the first time – and it was that man Watts who was wheeling away for his brace after he deftly got on the end of Gibbons’ cross with a smart header to complete the comeback.
As the clock ticked down, United’s game management was impressive. Remaining dangerous in the final third, they had numerous opportunities to put the game to bed when Lavery’s acrobatic flick was denied by Murphy before debutant Nevitt was released down the right, and with space to roam drove into the box but lashed against the side netting.
During the seven minutes of additional time, the hosts concluded a thoroughly entertaining second half with the nail in the coffin as Knight was clean through on goal, who showed composure to slot home to seal yet another win and ramp up the momentum for the 4th-placed side.
Up next, a short turnaround at CB5 sees Shrewsbury Town make the journey on Tuesday evening (27th January) – be sure to back the boys in their quest for more points.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Gibbons, Jobe, Watts, Bennett (Lavery, 56’), Mpanzu, Hoddle (Ball, 57’), Brophy (Ibsen Rossi, 82’), Kaikai (Purrington, 82’), Knight, Appere (Nevitt, 71’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, McLoughlin
Goalscorers: Lavery (57’), Watts (66’, 76’), Knight (90+5’)
Bookings: Hoddle, Brophy
Tranmere Rovers: Murphy, Norman, Smith, Tamen, Brough, Joseph (McGowan, 20’), Blacker (Kenneh, 73’), Finley, Jennings (Patrick, 73’), Jones (Whitaker, 53’), Ironside
Subs Not Used: Barrett, Smallwood, Dennis
Goalscorers: Jones (44’), Whitaker (63’)
Bookings: Smith, Blacker, McGowan
Referee: Ross Martin
Attendance: 6800 (584 away fans)
