MATCH REPORT: CAMBRIDGE UNITED 0 PORTSMOUTH 1
Conor Chaplin’s first half goal inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Cambridge United, in a tight Sky Bet league Two encounter with Portsmouth at the Cambs Glass Stadium.
The U’s lined with just one change from the side that beat Exeter City seven days ago, with the suspended Luke Berry replaced by Adam McGurk.
Despite a solid start from United who edged the opening stages of the match, the visitors took an unexpected lead when a long cross field ball from Christian Burgess caught the U’s defence on their heels, allowing Conor Chaplin to head past Will Norris for the opening goal.
Uche Ikpeazu had a strong claim for a penalty waved away soon after by referee Ross Joyce with the lumbering striker looked to have been hauled to the ground by Burgess inside the 18 yard box.
Shaun Derry’s men competed well throughout half but failed to register a clear effort on goal to test Pompey shot stopper David Forde.
Ben Williamson, who came on during the opening 45 minutes for the injured Adam McGurk, tested Forde early in the second period with a snapshot from the edge of the Portsmouth area which the keeper clutched in his midriff.
The U’s continued to push for a leveller and again Williamson came close when a scramble in the Pompey box saw the ball fall at the feet of the former Gillingham man, who could only skew an effort off target.
Portsmouth’s Amine Linganzi received a red card on the hour mark when his two footed lunge on U’s substitute Conor Newton gave the referee no choice but to send off the midfielder.
James Dunne flashed a shot at goal against his former club 15 minutes from time, which deflected off a Portsmouth defender and fractionally over the bar.
United showed plenty endeavour during the closing stages but were unable to claw back the one goal deficit, as Portsmouth took the spoils.
Cambridge United Manager Shaun Derry commented: “It was a frustrating result. Box to box we were the better team for long periods of the game but of course we would have liked to have tested the goalkeeper more.
“We now look for a quick response, much like we had last weekend at Exeter, where we react with a good performance against Dover.”
Cambridge United: Norris, Halliday (Pigott, 84 mins), Legge, Roberts, Taylor, Mingoia, Dunne, Clark (Newton, 58 mins), Dunk, McGurk (Williamson, 33 mins), Ikpeazu
Portsmouth: Forde, Stevens, Clarke, Burgess, Baker, Doyle, Roberts (Davies, 90 mins), Chaplin (Hunt, 62 mins) , Bennett (Rose,62 mins) , Linganzi (RED Card, 61 mins), Evans
Attendance: 6,397 (1,850 away)