Cambridge United bowed out of the Carabao Cup at the First Round stage as they were edged out 1-2 by Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers at the Abbey Stadium…
Heading into the break, the U’s had it all to do following instinctive finishes from Michael Frey and Paul Smyth, but to their credit came out of the blocks firing by carving out an array of chances against the Hoops. Although Paul Digby reduced the advantage on the hour mark, their persistence couldn’t quite pay off as they were forced into a slender defeat.
The brief distraction from third tier football allowed the U’s to not just potentially provide the competition with a small scalp, but to bank another 90 key minutes in the legs and crucially show a professional response to their testing opening day defeat. The exact mantra would have been repeated from the opposing Marti Cifuentes – with the 1967 winners also hunting their first victory of the season.
In response to the defeat at Stockport County three days earlier, Garry Monk rotated his XI by introducing seven new players to the fold, with just Danny Andrew, James Brophy, Elias Kachunga and Zeno Ibsen Rossi keeping their place. Connor O’Riordan - fresh from joining Blackburn Rovers on loan for the season - made his debut, whilst Dan Barton and Brandon Njoku earned their first starts for the Club.
A lively introduction to proceedings saw both sides attack with an enjoyable sense of urgency. The open start saw the hosts play progressively, where they found good space in the final third and were alert to any slight defensive mishaps.
Imposing himself from the get go, and just seconds after blazing wide a speculative effort, Frey made no mistake on the 12th minute as he opened the scoring for the Hoops with a powerfully driven 20-yard strike that beat a diving Jack Stevens.
Dominating the chance category, QPR’s tails were up and constantly finding ways to unlock Monk’s defence. A wonderfully executed long-range ball was matched by Lucas Anderson on 15, who if it wasn’t for a poor touch would have been able to pull the trigger from close distance against an onrushing Stevens.
Just two minutes later, the Dane turned provider when he jinked around the outskirts of the area and teed up Elijah Dixon-Bonner, who despite having plenty of recovering men looming in the six-yard box he lashed it over the crossbar.
The U’s were undoubtedly growing against their higher tier opponents. Their best opportunity of the evening fell towards the path of livewire Barton on 23, when his endeavour helped nick the ball off Jonathan Varane, before racing into the danger zone and unleashing a peach of a curler which grazed the post – so unlucky from the youngster.
Enjoying acres of space, Dixon-Bonner was presented with a carbon copy chance from the edge of the penalty area, but this time drilled it towards Stevens’ left stick who claimed assuringly.
On the half an hour mark, United’s persistence almost paid off when a pinpoint cross was flicked on by the head of captain Michael Morrison, who in turn played it into the path of Njoku, who from yards out got a delicate touch of his boot but it couldn’t sneak past an imposing Joe Walsh.
Five minutes later, Smyth doubled the advantage for the visitors from London against the run of play when Smyth raced towards a loose ball, catching Stevens by surprise and beating the goalkeeper before tapping into an empty net.
It proved to be a real sucker punch as the first half faded out, with two preventable goals conceded either side of what was some pleasing sequences from United.
Following the break, where Sullay Kaikai and Shayne Lavery were drafted into action, a consolation was conjured up when Digby showcased his usual bite in midfield by latching onto a poor pass, before advancing up the field with neat footwork and introducing the ball to the net with a well-placed effort. Game on.
Reignited, the U’s were now firmly on top – they almost snatched an instant equaliser on the 61st minute when Barton marauded towards goal after being set free, proving too quick for his defenders, but couldn’t lob an alert Walsh.
Five minutes later, there were penalty cries around CB5 as excellent striker’s instinct from Lavery helped him lay the ball off to Kaikai down the flank, whose cross diverted back to him at an angle where he first beat his man but then fell just as he was about to shoot – referee Paul Howard deemed it simulation, waving the other way.
One-way traffic continued, with Barton continuing to make a lasting impression with his bursts of pace down the left. His next foray saw him leave a defender for dead, edging closer to the area before latching a powerful shot on target, but again denied by Walsh who dived to his near post.
With 71 minutes on the clock, Lavery was next to come agonisingly close as a result of United’s ability to suffocate with their intensity high up the pitch. In a flash, the ball fell to the Northern Irishman, who without thinking hit a first-time shot that required another save.
Even with time running out, an equaliser almost looked inevitable. On the 82nd minute, the post was rattled after a scampering Andrew played in Lavery, who showed instinct to meet it and hit low for the corner, but the woodwork denied the R’s.
A matter of minutes before the whistle, Kaikai fancied his luck from distance, taking aim with a ferocious 25-yarder, but it creeped just inches wide.
Despite creating a host of chances throughout, United couldn’t force an equaliser, with their Carabao Cup journey coming to an end at the first hurdle. Nonetheless, there was plenty of encouraging displays and movements to take real credit from heading into their return to the bread and butter.
Action at the Abbey continues this Saturday (17th August) as the U’s welcome newcomers Crawley Town – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Stevens, O’Riordan (Okedina, 64’), Morrison, Ibsen Rossi, Bennett, Digby, Brophy (Smith, 65’), Andrew, Kachunga (Kaikai, 45’), Barton (Kaunda, 87’), Njoku (Lavery, 45’)
Subs Not Used: Reyes, Gibbons, Holmes
Goalscorers: Digby (56’)
Bookings: Brophy, Kaikai
QPR: Walsh, Dunne, Morrison, Clarke-Salter, Paal, Varane (Santos, 64’), Dixon-Bonner, Smyth (Dykes, 64’), Andersen (Fields, 45’), Lloyd (Bennie, 79’), Frey (Celar, 79’)
Subs Not Used: Nardi, Cook, Kolli, Tuck
Goalscorers: Frey (11’), Smyth (35’)
Bookings: Anderson, Bennie
Referee: Paul Howard
Attendance: 4529 (1010 away fans)
