Cambridge United were consigned to late drama once more on Easter Monday as Cheltenham Town rescued a 1-1 draw at the EV Charger Points Stadium…
Sullay Kaikai registered his 12th goal of the season with a venomous half-volley prior to the break which appeared to get the ball rolling for the U’s, but it was a familiar tale of late as they were unable to put the game to bed with the Robins forcing an own goal in the dying embers to drop them to 4th in the Sky Bet League Two rankings with five matches to go.
Four days on from being forced into a point against Swindon Town at the Cledara Abbey, Neil Harris named just the one change to his starting XI as Kaikai came in for James Brophy, who dropped to the bench.
United had cut a frustrated figure at the full-time whistle in their previous outing – where they were moments away a thoroughly-deserved three points – but with other results going their way on the Easter Friday they arrived in 3rd with promotion importantly still in their hands. Winless in three on their travels, they would look to address that at Whaddon Road against a Cheltenham who were out to avoid a third successive defeat, which would put them increasingly close to securing their safety for another season.
On a warm afternoon in Gloucestershire, the U’s opted with a 4-2-3-1 setup again - keeping their shape defensively and having the better of the territory as they looked to utilise the flanks.
Nonetheless, chances were few and far between during the early stages, with the opening attempt falling to the visitors on the 15h minute when Liam Bennett teed up Dominic Ball from 25 yards out, whose speculative shot sailed over the experienced Joe Day’s crossbar.
Steve Cotterill’s attacking ranks remained well-marshalled by United’s backline, with the U’s – donning their black and gold kit – happy to control proceedings. On 23, Kaikai’s free-kick was picked out by James Gibbons at the back post, whose header back into the mixer was cleared to the path of the Sierra Leone international, who from outside of the area blazed the snapshot high and wide.
The best move of the match was dished up by the Robins a few minutes later when good link-up play down the left saw Jake Bickerstaff play Isaac Hutchinson in the area, who cut it back to Josh Davison in the centre of the box who couldn’t keep his strike down – a let-off for the travellers.
With half an hour on the clock, Harris’ men were starting to showcase their set-piece and aerial prowess. A right-footed inswinger from Kaikai was matched by Kell Watts, who rose highest to power a header at goal where Day did well to paw over the woodwork.
Cambridge’s next attack resulted in a well-earned opener to send the visiting faithful into raptures behind the opposite stand. A deep cross from the left kept play alive and found Mamadou Jobe at the back post, promptly nodding it down for Kaikai who fired a thumping half-volley into the roof of the net.
With the advantage obtained, United were able to continue dictating the ball and showed no signs of surrendering their lead during the remainder of the first period, concluding on top with a sense of maturity and composure.
The Robins came out of the blocks with more purpose in the final third after the break. A smart flick from Davison allowed Bickerstaff to take a touch and pull the trigger in the area, but Watts’ deflection forced a corner, where Jonathan Tomkinson reacted to but couldn’t get it on target as his feint touch sailed wide.
Hunting a vital second goal, Mayor’s trademark long throw caused a scramble on the 52nd minute, allowing Gibbons to fire the knockdown into the crowded box where Louis Appere’s fierce shot produced excellent reactions from Day – but the offside flag cut the move short.
United rued a golden opportunity on the 63rd minute when excellent recycling saw Kaikai and Gibbons flick to each other and loft to an unmarked Appere from yards out, but the striker couldn’t generate the accuracy as the header went wide.
Eager to capitalise and find an equaliser, the Robins introduced Luke Young, Mo Faal and Ryan Broom in quick succession, whilst Cambridge followed suit just after the 70th minute as George Hoddle and Shayne Lavery were introduced to the pitch.
With the clock ticking – and the match very much still in the balance – the U’s needed to showcase their stubborn and steely side. A Kaikai free-kick was begging to be attacked by Watts – who proved he’s commanding in both boxes as he flicked a header inches past Day’s right post on 75.
Tallying up an array of corners, United would be very satisfied with how they were protecting their lead, with Jake Eastwood between the sticks remaining untested as the back four ahead of him remained organised.
Naturally, Cotterill opted for a late charge as he brought on Cole Deeming and George Miller, but Michael Morrison was handed his first minutes since November to help nullify and preserve the advantage.
However, during the first of five additional minutes, United were bitten just as they were on Thursday when the Robins claimed a late leveller after Young’s deep cross got a touch by Eastwood’s glove but nestled into the bottom corner. Strong appeals for a foul from the U's player were waved away by the referee.
Ultimately, it was too little too late for the visitors to find a winner as they frustratingly once again had to settle for a point at the death - a third match without victory dropping them to 4th.
Up next, it’s another mammoth matchup for the U’s on Saturday (11 April) as they take on fellow promotion chasers Notts County at a packed CB5 – be sure to back the boys.
Cheltenham Town: Day, Jude-Boyd (Miller, 83’), Cundy, Wilson, Tomkinson, Stevenson (Young, 60’), Ashfield (Deeming, 83’), Hutchinson, Thomas, Davison (Faal, 67’), Bickerstaff (Broom, 68’)
Subs Not Used: Diallo, Nurse
Goalscorers: OG (90+1’)
Bookings:
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Gibbons, Jobe, Watts, Bennett, Ball, Mpanzu (Nevitt, 90+2’), Mayor (Morrison, 85’), Knight (Hoddle, 72’), Kaikai, Appere (Lavery, 72’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Purrington, Brophy
Goalscorers: Kaikai (33’)
Bookings: Ball
Referee: James Oldham
Attendance: 4,149 (734 away fans)
