Cambridge United’s two-game winning streak in Sky Bet League One came to an end as Blackpool gained a 1-0 victory at Bloomfield Road…
Following a bright introduction from the hosts, the U’s were pegged back courtesy of Sonny Carey’s fine strike on the half an hour mark. Despite an improved showing after the break, the points were unable to at least be shared as Garry Monk’s men left empty-handed.
Arriving to the seaside in scintillating form following an Easter schedule which saw them creep closer to safety thanks to back-to-back wins, the U’s were buoyed and determined to stretch their already-healthy six-point gap from the bottom four. As for the hosts - who were nine unbeaten at home – they were out to gain ground on the play-off pack by securing a first win in four.
Fresh from the professional victory over Wigan Athletic on Monday, the Head Coach felt there was no need to change a winning formula as he named an unchanged XI and retained the positive 3-4-2-1 setup.
In what was a fast-paced start to the afternoon, the hosts had a good energy in the final third - particularly thanks to the trickery of Karamoko Dembele and CJ Hamilton – but each time the U’s cleared their lines with a real no-nonsense approach.
Having to contend with testing, windy conditions, it took until the 13th minute for the first real chance of note to occur. Gradually building from the back, the Tangerines went close when Sonny Carey teed up Hayden Coulson down the left, whose venomous delivery into the six-yard box was crucially tapped just past the past and out for a corner by a composed Jordan Cousins.
The nature of having to dig in deep remained in what was a tricky opening half an hour to navigate. Neil Critchley’s side had undeniably been on top, but United remained compact and refused to let anything pass.
The U’s could only ride the wave until the 30th minute when Blackpool drew first blood after Dembele played to the path of Carey from 25 yards, who curled a sweet first-time strike past a diving Mannion.
Unable to respond due to the Tangerines’ tempo, they went close to extending their lead on 42 when Carey lashed against the side netting after striker Jake Beesley found him with space inside the area thanks to a strong flick down.
It was a case of holding out for the break and utilising that time to reassess, with Cambridge yet to test Dan Grimshaw due to being pegged back at the other end of the pitch.
Five minutes into the second half, the U’s – who had previously introduced Zeno Ibsen Rossi – went agonisingly close to the leveller. A free-kick was won deep down the left by James Brophy, who showed great endeavour to drive, with Danny Andrew whipping in with pace and power and finding Gassan Ahadme who latched with his body, but it was cleared on the line.
As the match entered its hour mark, Monk’s men were finding more of the ball in the final third, switching play well and overall developing a sense of control, but again the chances were coming few and far between.
As time died down, the changes were ringed as the likes of Elias Kachunga, Macauley Bonne and Adam May all were introduced to the field – and it was two who combined for a golden opportunity on the 80th minute.
Catching the Seasiders out on the counter, Kachunga linked up with Bonne down the left on the break, who returned the favour to the former from close range who nestled against the post before agonisingly bouncing back into play. This only ramped the atmosphere ramped up from the visiting 800 in the corner of Bloomfield Road.
It was a moment the visitors were made to rue as time ran out in Lancashire, with Blackpool holding out to terminate any chance of a third win on the spin. Although they would return home empty-handed, the U’s advantage was only decreased to five points with five big games still to battle out.
Up next, United return to a what’s poised to be a sold-out Abbey Stadium next Saturday (13th April) as Nathan Jones’ Charlton Athletic are the visitors – be sure to back the boys.
Blackpool: Grimshaw, Pennington, Ekpiteta, Casey, Hamilton, Dembele (Virtue, 86’), Byers, Carey, Coulson (Gabriel, 69’) Beesley (Lavery, 62’), Kouassi (Joseph, 69’)
Subs Not Used: O’Donnell, Connolly, Husband
Goalscorers: Carey (30’)
Bookings:
Cambridge United: Mannion, Jobe, R. Bennett (Ibsen Rossi, 46’), Andrew, L. Bennett, Cousins (Lankester, 89’), Digby (May, 77’), Gibbons, Kaikai (Kachunga, 66’), Brophy (Bonne, 76’), Ahadme
Subs Not Used: Chadwick, Okenabirhie
Goalscorers:
Bookings: R. Bennett, Digby
Referee: Dean Whitestone
Attendance: 10,187