Cambridge United picked up another three vital points on their travels in Sky Bet League Two as they secured a 0-2 success against Newport County at Rodney Parade…
The U’s controlled proceedings throughout the encounter but had to wait until the latter stages of the afternoon to force the opener, which came from Liam Bennett’s close-range header. Sullay Kaikai almost instantly increased the advantage as his acrobatic effort saw him enter double digits for the season and kill the game off as the visitors rose to 2nd position.
Following on from the battling draw against Colchester United on home soil four days earlier, Neil Harris opted with two changes to his starting XI as Bennett and Dom Ball were restored, with Ben Purrington and Kaikai dropping to the bench.
The U’s hit the road to South Wales off the back of a three-match unbeaten run – with just one defeat in 18 - which they were determined to extend to find a way back into the automatic promotion spots. Sitting at the basement of the division, it was all to play for for the Exiles who reduced the gap from 20th to three points in midweek following a morale-boosting victory at Salford City, which was their first win in six.
Donning their white and green strip, the visitors looked to find some early rhythm and draw Newport out, but they had to remain firm defensively to dig out some blocks and recoveries.
It took United until the 18th minute to start causing some problems, with James Gibbons teeing up Ben Knight on the side of the penalty area, who showed silky feet to cut inside, evade an opponent and drop the shoulder before the strike took an important deflection to trickle wide of the post.
Building up steam, Newport crafted a great moment on the 26th minute which required some excellent defending from centre-back duo Kell Watts and Mamadou Jobe. With the ball bouncing awkwardly, James Crole showcased physicality to bring it down and roam into the box, but Watts matched him for strength and tackled. Play was recycled and fell to Ben Lloyd, who fired an effort at goal from 12 yards but Jobe got his body on the line to prevent.
Five minutes later, Cambridge spurned a big opportunity when James Brophy got plenty of whip on his cross from the left-hand side, which invitingly found its way to an arriving Bennett inside the six-yard box – the full-back outjumped his man but lashed his header over the crossbar.
Although the U’s had dominated possession with approximately 70% of the ball, they needed to find that second gear to really kick on as they were unable to find the creativity or front-footedness to grab the opener.
The half-time break gave the Head Coach to chance to ask for more urgency from his side, which showed on the 50th minute when Jobe advanced and cut back to Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu from 20 yards out, who tested his luck with a curler which just didn’t have the venom as Jordan Wright comfortably claimed.
Remaining a tense affair, United still maintained that element of control and were growing. Louis Appere did well to force a corner, which saw Brophy supply the inswinger – initially cleared but on a plate for Watts from close-range, the defender couldn’t add to his impressive goal tally as he sliced it over the woodwork.
Up the other end, the Exiles certainly should have done better when Harrison Biggins’ right-footed free-kick went over the offside trap and found Courtney Baker-Richardson, whose first-time shot was tamely wide of the mark – a glaring opportunity missed.
Changes were needed for the U’s, who added experience on the hour with a triple substitution as Korey Smith, Kaikai and Shayne Lavery were given the chance to unlock the home defence.
On the 72nd minute, Bennett sent the travelling amber nation behind the goal into ecstasy as their pressure finally paid off. Thanks to a pinpoint cross from Gibbons towards the back post, the right-back marked his return to the side with a firm header which landed under Wright and into the back of the net.
Like London buses, United only needed to wait another three minutes before they orchestrated another goal. A dangerous delivery was headed away by Cameron Evans, but a clanger from goalkeeper Wright meant he spilled a catch to allow a lurking Kaikai the chance to acrobatically direct it home.
The two-goal cushion looked to be game, set and match as the hosts’ heads dropped from here, allowing Cambridge the chance to retain their heavy possession.
Into the first of five additional minutes, Jake Eastwood popped up with his first real save of note to get a fingertip on Ged Garner’s attempt to steer it behind. Ultimately, it was enough to earn a 13 league clean sheet of the season as Harris’ men ramped up the momentum by climbing into 2nd position, with just two points separating them from the top of the table.
Attention now turns towards next Saturday (28 February) as the U’s take on MK Dons in the early kick-off for what promises to be an enticing matchup at a bumper Cledara Abbey – be sure to back the boys.
Newport County: Wright, Thomas (Jarvis, 46’), Evans, Baker, Delaney, Davies (Glennon, 17’), Sprangler, Biggins, Lloyd (Garner, 71’), Crole (Opoku, 70’), Baker-Richardson (Spellman, 57’)
Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Warner
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Lloyd, Sprangler
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Gibbons, Jobe, Watts, Bennett, Ball, McLoughlin (Smith, 61’), Brophy (Nevitt, 88’), Mpanzu (Kaikai, 61’), Knight (Purrington, 79’), Appere (Lavery, 61’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Raggett
Goalscorers: Bennett (72’), Kaikai (75’)
Bookings: Mpanzu, Ball
Referee: Lewis Sandoe
Attendance: 4155 (426 away fans)
