Cambridge United beaten 2-1 by Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium…
It was another tough outing on the road for United as the U’s fell behind early during a difficult opening period in Bristol. Despite drawing level before the break through Ironside’s penalty and playing an improved second half, it was the home side that came out on top as Coburn scored the winner midway through the second half.
Mark Bonner made just one change from the team that started at Portman Road on Tuesday, as Joe Ironside came in for Liam O’Neil to lead the United attack.
Played in-front of a packed Memorial Stadium, the home side got off to a blistering start, putting pressure on the U’s from the off.
Evans had the first shot on target just a couple of minutes in, but hit his strike down the throat of Mitov from distance. Coburn was next just a few minutes later, jinxing in-between Digby and Okedina before curling narrowly wide of the far post.
The Gas’ main goal threats, Collins and Loft who have 10 goals between them this season, both saw chances go begging before the quarter of an hour mark, as the former forced Mitov to get down low and push the ball away from an effort via the edge of the box before Loft misjudged a close-range header with the goal at his mercy.
It wasn’t long before they made the fast start count. Hoole deemed to get the final touch as an outswinging free-kick caused chaos amongst the United defence to make it 1-0.
Despite the concerning start, United soon got to grips with the contest and began to settle down. Smith acrobatic volley towards goal on 30 minutes was the team’s best sight of goal in the contest so far, but with 10 remaining in the half, the U’s pulled level.
After receiving the ball on the left touchline, Williams drove forward and took the space in-font of him, before zipping in a superb through-ball for Smith, who after taking a touch inside was cleaned out by Belshaw in goal. The referee had no hesitancy in pointing to the spot and Ironside did the rest to make it 1-1, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Smith came a strong left hand of Belshaw away from giving United the lead, after getting off a first time shot following Okedina’s cut-back and whilst clearly not being at their best, Mark Bonner’s men went into the break all square with it all to play for in the second half.
Just two minutes into the second half, United should have taken the lead when Smith’s lofted pass found Ironside inside the box, but after taking a good touch to get the ball onto his favoured right foot, Belshaw was equal to the shot to keep the score level.
The Rovers ‘keeper was called upon moments later to deny Smith a curling effort heading towards the top corner and it felt like the momentum in the game was beginning to turn.
Ironside brought out the best in Belshaw again on 52 minutes with a fine push over the crossbar following the striker’s on-target header and it’s on moments like that where games can change. Shortly after, Coburn gave Bristol the lead by applying the finishing touch to a fine attacking move down the left hand side, instigated by their number 10, Aaron Collins.
Adam May was forced off with injury just after the hour mark as Liam O’Neil came on in his place to help shore up the midfield and Jack Lankester replaced Okedina with a quarter of the game to go as United looked for a route back into the match.
Ironside again headed over the bar with 73 minutes played, as he got onto the end of Williams’ cross but appeared to be unsighted by the covering defender as it seemed to come to him by surprise.
The introductions of Shilow Tracey and Fejiri Okenabirhie aimed to add some extra pace and impetus to United’s attacks, but aside from a Taylor header following an added time corner, United failed to really test the Rovers backline as the home team held out for the win.
For full match statistics and information, visit the Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge United Match Centre.