Cambridge United’s winless start to the Sky Bet League One season continued as they were comfortably dispatched 0-2 by Lincoln City at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
On an afternoon where the U’s were unable to conjure up any clear-cut opportunities, it was the Imps who were the more clinical of the two as goals midway through each half from substitutes Freddie Draper and Bailey Cadamarteri sealed the points.
In reaction to the late defeat at Wycombe Wanderers a week earlier, Garry Monk named two changes to his XI as Michael Morrison came in to captain the side, whilst Brandon Njoku was chosen from the start. Elsewhere, Ryan Loft appeared in the matchday squad for the first time since arriving in the summer.
Occupying a play-off spot heading into the game, the visitors had to contend with a big blow in the opening minutes as Ben House was forced off after coming off worse in an aerial collision with Vicente Reyes.
On in the striker’s place was 20-year-old Draper, who was involved in some early deliveries into the box from out wide, which the busy Reyes did well to dive and deny each time.
Just as United started to enjoy a spell of possession, they received a let-off after Jovon Makama capitalised on a mishap in the middle of the park, allowing him to roam into the box and pull the trigger – but the Chilean shot stopper astutely denied with a firm one-handed stop.
Deadlock was broken on the 25th minute when Tendayi Darikwa fizzed in a low ball towards Draper inside the area, who showed composure to hammer into the back of the net.
There was a sense of frustration ten minutes later when the lively Makama was handed the space to maraud through on goal in a one-on-one position, but Reyes was able to make himself big to prevent a shot that lacked any real power.
Straight up the other end, United produced their best opportunity of the half when a clever back-heel from Dan Nlundulu was spotted by Njoku in an onside position. The youngster had a tight angle ahead of him, where he drilled across the face of goal where debutant Erik Ring was on hand to tap behind for a corner.
Ultimately, it brought to an end a below-par half where the U’s were stuck in second gear. Lincoln had controlled with authority and remained a threat in the final third, with the home goalkeeper to thank for the score line being at just the one-goal advantage.
There was to be little goalmouth action after the break, but Monk’s side were seeing more of the ball in promising positions. On the hour mark, Morrison got his boot on the end of a lofted ball towards the six-yard box, but George Wickens matched the effort and forced a corner.
Moments after Dan Barton and Sullay Kaikai were introduced to the fold, their tasks to rescue a point became extremely tricky as Michael Skubala’s men doubled their lead on 67 when Cadamarteri chested down a long ball and slotted past Reyes.
Five minutes later, Nlundulu showed excellent feet to skip and wriggle past Lincoln inside the box before supplying a cross to Njoku, but his header was blocked and lines were cleared.
This cued Loft to receive his first minutes for the U’s, whilst Elias Kachunga was also drafted in as the encounter reached its latter stages.
Nonetheless, Lincoln saw out the game with ease and limited United to very little, whose place at the bottom of the table was retained.
It’s a short turnaround at CB5 now for the U’s, with Rotherham United next to visit on Tuesday evening (1st October) – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Reyes, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Gibbons (Barton, 65’), Smith, Digby, Longelo (Kachunga, 80’), Brophy (Kaikai, 64’), Nlundulu, Njoku (Loft, 72’)
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Ibsen Rossi, Cousins
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Nlundulu
Lincoln City: Wickens, Jackson, O’Connor, Roughan, Erhahon, Darikwa, McGrandles, Moylan (Bayliss, 64’), Ring (Hamer, 64’), House (Draper, 04’ (McKiernan, 79’)), Makama (Cadamarteri, 45’)
Subs Not Used: Pardington, Street
Goalscorers: Draper (25’), Cadamarteri (67’)
Bookings: Makama, Cadamarteri, Jackson
Referee: Adam Herczeg
Attendance: 6969 (926 away fans)