Cambridge United recorded another point towards their Sky Bet League One tally as they dug in to secure a well-earned 1-1 share of the spoils against Barnsley at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
A rapid start to the afternoon saw Dan Nlundulu power his side into an early lead before the Tykes hit back courtesy of a rapid counter from Stephen Humphrys. Although chances were at a premium for the hosts following the break, they remained collected and resolute to secure the tie.
Out to ensure the hefty loss last time out was an anomaly, United wanted to reduce their four-point gap from safety by replicating their prior form which consisted of five consecutive wins and clean sheets. As for Barnsley, they’d found their rhythm under Darrell Clarke and had used back-to-back play-off defeats as fuel for a strong start – they arrived unbeaten in four in the league.
Looking for an immediate response to the derby day defeat at Peterborough United, Garry Monk opted with two changes to his XI. Jack Stevens was handed his first league start of the season after Vicente Reyes was called up for international duty with Chile, whereas Danny Andrew slotted into the defence in the absence of James Gibbons. After recovering from his injury lay-off, Shayne Lavery made the squad for the first time since mid-September.
A tenacious start to proceedings saw the hosts draw first blood with just three minutes on the clock. Biding his time in the left corner, Nlundulu sailed into the box and outmuscled his man impeccably, before pulling the trigger which, following a scrappy deflection, trickled into the corner of the goal.
Moments after opposing striker Max Watters was substituted off with a suspected injury, the Tykes hit back by testing Stevens’ gloves for the first time on the 9th minute when Jonathan Russell hit a speculative effort from 25 yards, forcing the keeper to dive to his right and direct behind for a corner.
Nonetheless, it was the U’s who posed the greater threat in the final third. After being teed up by Andrew out wide, Korey Smith struck an ambitious looped attempt from just inside the box, which dipped at the right time but was ultimately comfortable for Ben Killip.
Two minutes later, the fine application continued as Liam Bennett’s teasing delivery towards the back post was met by the head of Nlundulu, who had leapt like a salmon, but it crashed onto the roof of the net.
The sucker punch was delivered on the 16th minute when a rapid transition saw Humphrys carry the ball from his own half by applying the afterburners and outpacing the recovery set of U’s before firing with venom a near-post finish which clinically found the net.
In response to the equaliser, Monk’s side simply persisted and continued finding that edge and space in the middle of the park. Comfortable whenever in possession, Korey Smith turned his man and found Brandon Njoku, who took a delicate touch, cut inside and unleashed a curler which was deflected and recycled.
On the half hour mark, the post was clipped when Michael Morrison rose highest and craned his neck well from a corner, but the men in pink were able to clear their lines.
So usually dominant in midfield, Barnsley started to enjoy more spells in possession, but to the U’s credit they were contending well and covering plenty of distance, even when the tempo slightly dropped as the half drew to a close.
The match reclaimed that added sting after the break, with a couple of cards and crucial recoveries being dished out – notably from Jordan Cousins and Morrison to keep the play-off occupiers at bay.
With 60 minutes on the clock, early substitute Kelechi Nwakali fancied his luck from over 25 yards after the ball floated to him in acres of space. He generated an excellent connection, and it was heading towards the top corner, but Stevens at full stretch pawed over.
The corner resulted in a golden opportunity for the Tykes, who concluded a moment of pinball in the box when Russell tapped home from a matter of yards following a great low stop from Stevens, but the midfielder was denied by the offside flag.
Probing, the Yorkshire outfit let another strong attempt go begging on the 69th minute when dangerman Humphrys found Adam Phillips who had raced into space, but the former U’s loanee drilled wide of Stevens’ right post.
Five minutes later, Clarke’s side were at it again. Originally quite tame, Humphrys hit a shot from outside the area which took a wicked deflection and was destined for goal, but Stevens did exceptionally well to recover, lunge and tip against the crossbar.
Introducing Lavery to the field for the final 15, it looked like he would need to dig in for some defensive work alongside partner Ryan Loft, with everyone playing their part in dealing with waves of pressure.
Riding their luck as the clock ticked down, United felt quite restricted but minute by minute did start to find the ball in areas they wanted it. With just two minutes of additional time raised, they looked comfortable in seeing out a point apiece as they stretched their unbeaten run at home to four games.
Up next, the U’s make the short trip to Sixfields next Saturday (23rd November) to take on Northampton Town – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Stevens, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Bennett, Cousins, Smith, Brophy (Watts, 89’), Kachunga, Njoku (Loft, 65’), Nlundulu (Lavery, 76’)
Subs Not Used: Chadwick, Ibsen Rossi, O’Riordan, Kaunda
Goalscorers: Nlundulu (3’)
Bookings: Njoku, Bennett, Loft
Barnsley: Killip, De Gevigney, Roberts, Earl, O’Keeffe, Phillips, Russell, Gent, Keillor-Dunn, Humphreys, Watters (Nwakali, 6’)
Subs Not Used: Smith, Cotter, Pines, Jalo, Lofthouse, Craig
Goalscorers: Humphrys (16’)
Bookings: Humphrys, Gent, Russell
Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge
Attendance: 6897 (919 away fans)