Cambridge United picked up back-to-back league wins for the second time this season with a 2-0 win at Morecambe’s Mazuma Stadium...
Academy graduate Ben Worman scored a sensational volley half-way through the first half to give United the lead, before Joe Ironside scored from the spot with under 20 minutes to put the U’s in a commanding position to pick up all three points.
From the moment the first goal went in the result never really looked in danger, as Mark Bonner’s men exerted a certain level of control over their opponents to move into the top half of the table on 22 points.
The Head Coach named six changes from the side that won against Wimbledon on Saturday, as Mitov, Dunk, Brophy, Masterson, Worman and Knibbs – who was making his first league start of the season – came into the team.
Following his enforced absence which saw him miss the previous two games, Dimitar Mitov was into action early as he clawed away an arrowing effort from Morecambe’s McDonald that looked to be heading into the bottom corner.
It was the hosts who looked the most threatening inside the opening stages of the game, but Ironside spurned a good sight of goal on 23 minutes as he headed over at the back-post from Dunk’s deep cross.
United grew into the contest though and began to dictate proceedings, culminating in Ben Worman’s outrageous first league goal for the club. Positioned on the edge of the penalty box ‘D’, the ball was zipped into his midriff, but a delightful piece of improvisation saw the young midfielder control the pass with the outside of his foot, before volleying the ball home without it touching the ground.
With their tails up, Cambridge went for the kill and on 35 minutes, Ironside could have made it two as he was played through on goal by Digby, only to be denied by Andrésson with the goal at his mercy.
The remainder of the half passed with little incident as United went into the dressing room a goal to the good.
The league’s top goalscorer, Cole Stockton was kept at arm-lengths by the U’s stingy defence but looked to finally have his chance to score just before the hour mark, but after being played behind the defence to be met one-on-one with Mitov, the linesman’s flag was raised.
A minute later, Knibbs should have all but sealed the points as Brophy got to the by-line before cutting the ball back to the attacker, whose on-target effort was turned onto the post by the Shrimps goalkeeper.
Shilow Tracey replaced Knibbs with just over 20 minutes to go and the winger made an immediate impact, as he was fouled in the box to award United a penalty, which Ironside dispatched with aplomb to make it 2-0.
The U’s saw the game out in a professional manner as the hosts failed to create any chances of note to threaten the scoreline, whilst substitute Sam Smith had two opportunities himself to extend the lead, striking wide of goal on both occasions.
Attentions turn to the FA Cup next and the short trip to Northampton Town with a place in the Second Round up for grabs on Saturday.