Cambridge United soared to a 14th match unbeaten in Sky Bet League Two courtesy of a comprehensive 0-3 victory against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park…
A devastating 15-minute spell in the second half did the damage as Ben Knight continued his impressive form by opening the scoring from the penalty spot, before Louis Appere helped himself to a brace to make it six league wins on the spin for the U’s, who were elevated to second in the table.
Four days on from the last-gasp success against Shrewsbury Town at CB5, Neil Harris made changes to his starting XI for the first time in four matches as he freshened up in the middle of the park by introducing Shane McLoughlin and Dom Ball back into the fold.
In store in Greater Manchester was the battle between the two strongest defences in the division, with the hosts conceding just one more than United’s league-best of 22. A late defeat last time out at Barnet was Oldham’s first in seven matches, but they would take heart from the reverse fixture at the Abbey – to this day they are still the only side to conquer the U’s at home. Nonetheless, the in-form visitors were eyeing up yet another league win to help maintain their place in the top three.
Donning their black and gold kit, Cambridge were keen to stamp some early authority – particularly from the counter – but they were restricted well in the early stages as both sides cancelled each other out to prevent any chances of note.
The Latics had been front-footed in their approach and were just about edging proceedings, with their direct play down the right posing questions. After being teed up by Tom Pett out wide, Kai Payne’s intended cross evaded everyone and floated past Jake Eastwood’s right post on the 16th minute, with the goalkeeper having it covered.
Up the other end, United were getting into good positions and progressing into the box well, but just lacked the final move to get their first shot away. Play was paused just after the 20th minute when Appere required treatment following a head collision but was cleared to continue in his new head bandage.
With 10 minutes to go before the break, Harris’ men started to probe as Knight drove forwards and played a one-two with a teammate to his left. The playmaker got the shot underway but a determined block from Donervon Daniels took the sting out of it as Matthew Hudson comfortably claimed.
On the 38th minute, a good opportunity went begging when Ball flicked to Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu who was lurking on the edge of the box, but the midfielder got too much under it as the strike was always rising,
Just as the break loomed, the match livened up and had turned scrappy – with three quickfire yellow cards handed out – and extremely end-to-end. It was the U’s who almost capitalised on 44 when build-up from Ball saw him square it back to Mpanzu, whose quick touch and fierce shot at the near post produced an excellent stop from Hudson.
Eager to continue in the ascendency after the break, United received a penalty on the 53rd minute following a trip on Appere from Ryan Woods. As calm as you’d like, the reliable Knight stepped up to send Hudson the wrong way for his sixth of the campaign.
On the hour mark, the atmosphere in the away end was ramped up even more as Cambridge doubled their advantage. A sumptuous cross from Knight was met by Brophy at the back post, whose cushioned header was on a plate for Appere, who stabbed home from yards out.
Desperate to find a quick consolation, Oldham looked to throw the kitchen sink as they named three attacking swaps in an instant. But as they’d soon find out, the visitors were free-flowing and about to run away with the contest.
The U’s were well and truly in dreamland on the 66th minute, punishing Oldham on the break to grab their third of the afternoon and surely the points as Mpanzu cleared a corner to find Knight, who applied the afterburners to scamper into the final third, drag a defender away and create space for a crisp drilled pass to Appere, who slotted a first-time effort into the corner of the net for his brace.
Ultimately, this had knocked the stuffing out of the Manchester outfit, who had been cut open in a devastating period for the visitors. It allowed the Head Coach to bring on a trio of substitutions with 20 minutes left on the clock as Ben Purrington, Sullay Kaikai and Shayne Lavery received minutes.
Determined to finish in a professional manner, Elliott Nevitt got a shot away on the 84th minute as his free header from the centre of the box was bounced into the ground and stopped by Hudson, before the substitute had another bite at the cherry when Lavery’s strength helped play him in, but he ran towards a tight angle and the chance went begging.
The task now was to keep their clean sheet intact, which United did with ease on an afternoon where they further flexed their promotion credentials to rise up the division and keep their winning streak going.
Attention now turns to next Saturday (7 February) when the U’s take on lowly Harrogate Town at the Exercise Stadium – be sure to back the boys.
Oldham Athletic: Hudson, Caprice, Daniels, Monthe, Robson, Payne, Woods, Pett (Hannant, 46’), Stevens (Jalo, 62’), Drummond (Taylor, 62’), Garner (Quigley, 34’ (Fondop 63’))
Subs Not Used: Donaghy, Simeu
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Drummond, Quigley
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Gibbons, Jobe, Watts, Bennett, Ball (Nevitt, 83’), McLoughlin (Hoddle, 80’), Brophy (Purrington, 71’), Mpanzu, Knight (Kaikai, 70’), Appere (Lavery, 71’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Ibsen Rossi
Goalscorers: Knight (54’), Appere (59’, 66’)
Bookings: Ball, McLoughlin, Lavery
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
Attendance: 7012 (481 away fans)
