Cambridge United showcased immense battling spirit to secure a come-from-behind 1-2 victory against Sky Bet League Two opponents Colchester United at the JobServe Community Stadium…
Despite suffering an early blow through Arthur Read’s opener, the visitors turned the game on its head with a couple of set pieces on the stroke of the break through James Brophy’s free-kick and Mamadou Jobe’s exceptional header, before showcasing grit and desire in the second half to protect the points.
Determined to improve fortunes following a draw against Harrogate Town three days earlier, Neil Harris slightly rotated his XI by naming three changes as Jobe, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Elias Kachunga entered the fray. New loan signing Kylian Kouassi was named on the bench, with former Academy prospect JJ Briggs chosen as deputy between the sticks.
A pleasant evening in Essex was greeted by a rapturous noise behind the goals and an energetic opening couple of minutes for the visitors.
Seconds after a well-worked move found space for Sullay Kaikai to blast a half-volley over the crossbar, they came incredibly close as Louie Appere teed up Brophy to his left in the area, who looked to poke the ball in the corner of the net, only to be denied by Matt Macey’s sharp reaction stop.
Colchester – heading into the meeting unbeaten from their opening three – were eager to win their individual battles and attack in numbers. Their first moment fell to Jack Payne from 25 yards out on the 9th minute, whose speculative free-kick was high and wide.
Deadlock was broken a few minutes later as Danny Cowley’s men attacked down the flank through Adrian Akande, whose lively run and delivery into the mixer was latched at by Read, who drilled into the bottom of the net from 12 yards.
A quick response was a necessity for Cambridge, who had been slightly susceptible early doors. A wicked, deep delivery from Brophy on 15 was inviting for Jobe at the back post, whose powerful header bounced and rised enough to test the tall frame of Macey, who pawed behind.
Undoubtedly at their most dangerous through set pieces, a teasing cross from Liam Bennett on his natural right on the 23rd minute was matched by Kell Watts in the six-yard box who, although being first to it, craned his header wide of the post.
Certainly growing into the contest, the half-chances continued to fall United’s way heading into the half hour mark. Appere was clever in switching to Kaikai on the left, with the winger having time to skip past a man, drop the shoulder and pull the trigger, which creeped past Macey’s left post.
Nonetheless, the hosts were posing a real threat whenever they roamed the final third. At the heart of every attack was dangerman Tovide, who on the 35th minute forced a low stop from Jake Eastwood and then curled a venomous shot over the target seconds later.
Two minutes from the break, Harris’ men drew level to help galvanise the visitors – and in truth it had been coming. After dispossessing in the middle of the park, the brave Mpanzu scampered into the danger zone and won a foul, where Brophy stepped up and tried his luck from the free-kick, which took a nick off the wall and to his delight trickled into the back of the net.
Bedlam would soon follow. Just as they’d finished celebrating the equaliser, Cambridge were ahead with another fine set piece. A delightful cross from Kaikai was matched by a thumping header from colossus Jobe, who powered past Macey from distance for his first Football League goal.
Buoyed by a barnstorming end to the first period, the break didn’t interefere with the U’s momentum, who came out of the blocks on the front foot as Kaikai took a couple of tumbles in the box after showing silky feet to dance inside.
The tempo was Cambridge’s to control, who were thoroughly enjoying being in charge of proceedings. From defence to attack, they were physically imposing and clocking up a lot of corners as the night progressed.
With tensons starting to flare up, changes were now due with Col U opting for a triple swap and James Gibbons and Shane McLoughlin being introduced for the visitors to shore things up.
Following some commanding headers between both outfits on 74, a shot opened up for Kyreece Lisbie in the area, who just got his angles wrong as he shanked wide of Eastwood’s post. The game remained firmly in the balance despite seeing no sight of any golden opportunities.
Blocking absolutely everything that fell their way in a tense conclusion, Cambridge kept showing endeavour to preserve their lead. With 10 minutes remaining, Appere was brought off following a workmanlike performance as Kouassi came on for his debut to help get the ball in their attacking third.
On the 87th minute, Lisbie applied the afterburners to beat a man and supply a deep cross to Rob Hunt at the back post, who under pressure arrowed his header against the side netting.
The kitchen sink continued to be thrown towards the travellers, with Lisbie at the end of several chances inside the penalty box, but Cambridge remained alert to pass their test of courage and secure their first three points on the road in commendable fashion.
Up next, the U’s make the journey to Bristol Rovers for the second time in the space of two weeks on Saturday afternoon (23rd August) – be sure to back the boys.
Colchester United: Macey, Vincent-Young (Powell, 65’), Tucker, Flanagan, Hunt, Read, Payne (Lisbie, 65’), Bishop (Gape, 75’), Akande (Edwards, 65’), Thorn, Tovide (Williams, 75’)
Subs Not Used: Smith, Gordon
Goalscorers: Read (16’)
Bookings: Payne, Tovide
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett (Ibsen Rossi, 90+4’), Jobe, Watts, Purrington, Ball, Mpanzu, Brophy (Gibbons, 70’), Kachunga (McLoughlin, 71’), Kaikai, Appere (Kouassi, 82’)
Subs Not Used: Briggs, Knight, Loft
Goalscorers: Brophy (44’), Jobe (45+1’)
Bookings: Jobe, Ball, Watts
Referee: Richard Eley
Attendance: 6834 (1501 away fans)
