Cambridge United made it five wins and five clean sheets on the bounce as they kept their Bristol Street Motors Trophy hopes alive with a well-earned 1-0 victory over Chelsea U21s at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
Eager to stake a claim, the much-changed U’s breathed life into the encounter during an entertaining second half, where Amaru Kaunda capped his first professional start with the decider for the in-form hosts - who now require Charlton Athletic to avoid defeat against Bromley in the final Southern Group C game to secure progression.
Fresh from overcoming Woking in the Emirates FA Cup three days earlier, Garry Monk opted to rotate his squad by naming nine changes to the XI. Liam Bennett and Elias Kachugna were the only players to keep their place, whilst Glenn McConnell made his first appearance of the season and Kaunda started from the get-go for the very first time.
A low-key start to the affair meant there were very little fireworks, on the pitch at least, to report on within the opening stages. Both sides looked to retain possession for long spells, but a lack of invention resulted in no clear-cut chances.
That was until the 16th minute when a burst of pace down the right flank resulted in an unmarked Donnell McNeilly pulling the trigger from 15 yards, who was first denied by a great block from Bennett, before the Chelsea striker recycled and blazed wide of Jack Stevens’ left post.
A few minutes later, the U’s probed on the counter when McConnell advanced play and picked out a teasing delivery towards the six-yard box, which evaded a lunging Kachunga.
The evening stagnated for a period from here. United, to their credit, had not put a foot wrong defensively, with the returning Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Kell Watts and Connor O’Riordan comfortably playing out from the back and clearing up any danger.
At the other end, it took until the 37th minute for the hosts to force the first attempt at goal. Kachunga embarked on a drive forward, where he then cut into the middle and introduced the ball towards the target, but Lucas Bergstrom did well to dive at the corner and poke behind.
Seconds before the whistle, Kaunda teed up McConnell from about 25 yards out, who caused no trouble as he launched his shot over the crossbar. As it stood heading into the break, a share of the spoils would not be enough to ensure progression.
However, the U’s came out of the blocks absolutely flying after the break and had endless opportunities to draw first blood.
The period of dominancy started on 45 when Njoku teed up partner Kaunda, who showcased silky feet to run into space inside the box before unleashing a peach of a strike destined for the top corner, only to be denied a debut goal by Bergstrom’s world-class save.
Following the corner, O’Riordan passed to Njoku, who squeezed past the opposing goalkeeper with his tenacity but was brought down to give Sam Mulhall enough reason to point to the spot. Captain Andrew stepped up and generated plenty of power, but not enough placement as the Finnish stopper dived to his right.
One-way traffic continued, with Watts getting on the end of a deep cross but putting it wide from yards out. Substitute Paul Digby’s speculative attempt was then spilt, with the inspired goalkeeper getting down low to prevent Njoku from close distance. This fell to James Brophy, who enjoyed a jinking run and cut across the face of goal - but nobody could sniff at the danger.
On 52, Andrew fancied his chances with a free-kick from out wide, which caught many by surprise and fizzed towards the roof of the net, but Bergstrom jumped to claim and keep the U’s at bay, who were well and truly knocking on the door.
The Blues initially thought they’d taken the lead with their only foray forwards on 57 when Jimmy Morgan raced down the left and arrowed past Stevens, but it was ruled out for offside just as he began to celebrate.
Momentum was briefly scuppered on the hour mark as Digby was forced off the field owing to an injury, with United needing to find their feet once more.
Nonetheless, they produced jubilant scenes and capped an evening to remember for Academy graduate Kaunda on 74 when, after an initial strike was saved, he gobbled up at the second time of asking to hand his side a deserved lead.
This looked to have opened the floodgates for Monk’s men, who were inches away from grabbing another two minutes later when Andrew’s whipped cross was excruciatingly close to connecting with the boot of Dan Nlundulu.
Despite this, they remained composed in their defensive area, seeing off Kiano Dyer’s rising effort and strike at goal during the additional nine minutes. Even though they were pegged back, they remained professional to extend the exceptional winning streak and shoutout record.
Up next, it’s the anticipated Cambridgeshire derby on Saturday (9th November) as the U’s do battle with Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Cambridge United: Stevens, O’Riordan, Ibsen Rossi, Watts, Bennett, Cousins (Nlundulu, 74’), McConnell (Digby, 45’, (Smith, 60’)), Andrew, Kachunga (Brophy, 45’), Njoku (Bulakio, 75’), Kaunda
Subs Not Used: Chadwick, Morrison
Goalscorers: Kaunda (75’)
Bookings: Bennett
Chelsea U21s: Bergstrom, Hughes, Murray-Campbell, Wilson (Sturge, 80’), Samuels-Smith, Dyer, Olise, Russell-Denny (Ampah, 67’), Morgan (Washington, 80’), McNeilly (Mheuka, 59’), Vale
Subs Not Used: Merrick, Silcott-Duberry, Akomeah
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Dyer
Referee: Sam Mulhall
Attendance: 1340 (155 away fans)
Man of the Match: Kaunda
