Cambridge United fell to a last-minute defeat at Oxford United on Boxing Day, as Neil Harris tasted his first defeat as U’s Head Coach…
After a tremendous first half performance which saw United go ahead through Jordan Cousins’ first goal of the season, Oxford came back into it in the second half and equalised soon after the break.
Despite holding the home team at bay and looking good value for the point, Ciaron Brown’s added time goal condemned the U’s to another bitter tasing defeat at the Kassam Stadium.
Neil Harris was forced to made two changes to the starting XI from last Friday’s win against Exeter City, with Lankester and May replacing Ahadme and Kachunga who didn’t make the matchday squad with injury.
After the match the U's boss confirmed that Ahadme could be out for up to 10 weeks with a stress fracture to his foot, whilst Kachunga will miss a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury.
Oxford started the game looking to play through a high pressing U’s side, who were without a recognised striker. Kaikai played centrally with Brophy and Lankester either side of him, whilst Thomas occupied the 10 role in-front of Cousins and May, with an unchanged back five.
The game got off to a cagey start with few chances for either side. Cambridge won the first corner after a well worked move between Lankester and Brophy and the second chance of the game came after good combination play between Thomas and Brophy, the latter rounding the keeper and playing the ball across the six-yard box, only to see none of his teammates able to get a telling touch.
It was a strong half for United who were restricting the home side to little in attack whilst looking dangerous at the other end of the pitch. The deserved breakthrough came on 30 minutes following a second United corner - Jordan Cousins bundling the ball past the onrushing Beadle to get his first goal for the U’s, and put them 1-0 up at the Kassam Stadium.
The goal led to a frantic end-to-end final 15 minutes of the half, which featured two good saves from Stevens against his former employer. Brophy, Thomas and Kaikai all had chances to double the U’s lead, but Neil Harris’ men had to settle for just the one goal as the teams went in for the break.
The second 45 started much the same as the first with the U’s pressing high and taking the game to Oxford. George Thomas battled the ball off the backline and saw a shot deflect wide for a corner just 60 seconds after the restart.
A well worked counter attack for Oxford saw them find equaliser, after Goodrham drove inside and finished into the bottom corner from outside the box, squaring up the game 10 minutes after the break.
Oxford were growing in confidence a slick move by the hosts led to an outstanding 1-on-1 diving save from Stevens to keep the scores level. Kaikai was replaced by Gordon, who took up the central role for the remaining 20 minutes, and Stevens was once again required soon after as he adjusted from a deflected free-kick to push the ball out to the touchline.
Despite United’s best efforts, the defence was finally breached deep into added time, as Stevens parried a fiercely struck long-range effort into the onrushing Ciaron Brown, who found the net to send the home fans wild and the travelling U’s feeling rather less merry.
Next up for Neil Harris’ men is the short trip down to Stevenage, when United will look to bounce back with a sold-out away end in tow.