A barnstorming matchup at the Cledara Abbey Stadium saw Cambridge United get up and running in Sky Bet League One as they rescued a share of the spoils courtesy of a mighty comeback in a 4-4 thriller against Blackpool…
Tested from the get-go, James Husband drew first blood early on in the encounter but was cancelled out when Shayne Lavery opened his U’s account on the half an hour mark. The visiting defender soon grabbed his brace with a carbon copy corner, before the Tangerines steamed ahead thanks to neat finishes from Kyle Joseph and Dominic Ballard. Just when the points looked secured, United became unplayable and roared towards a point as Danny Andrew struck home a free-kick, Brandon Njoku grabbed his first professional strike and Lavery haunted his former club.
First points of the season were up for grabs for both United and the Tangerines, with preparations very contrasting prior to the meetup. The hosts were yet to open their goalscoring account and just needed that clinical edge following promising displays, with midweek additions helping to bolster those prospects. Elsewhere, Blackpool arrived under the reins of Richard Keogh following the recent dismissal of Neil Critchley, with the former centre-back hoping to address a defence which had leaked five already.
In reaction to the late defeat against Crawley Town a week prior, Garry Monk named the solitary change as James Gibbons made way for Liam Bennett in the wide position, whereas new loan signings Emmanuel Longelo and Josh Stokes were named as part of the seven-man bench.
As the rain continued to teem down, the opportunities were flowing, with the U’s needing to contend with early pressure. With two minutes on the clock, Joseph played in strike partner Ballard, who shrugged his way towards goal and closed in on Vicente Reyes, but the shot stopper made himself big to deny a certain opener.
From the resulting corner came the early breakthrough, with a pinpoint delivery driven in from the left finding its way to an unmarked Husband at the back post, who dinked a simple header into an empty net from yards out.
Gradually finding their feet, United thought they’d forced a superb leveller when Danny Andrew’s defence-splitting lofted cross from out wide was latched at by the boot of Lavery, who tapped a volley past Richard O’Donnell but was denied the celebrations by the offside flag.
Unlike the weather, the chances had dried up for a brief period, but when the U’s next ventured forwards, they made it count. Down the left - where they had orchestrated some neat moves - James Brophy picked out Andrew’s throw, before jinking into the box and cutting back a drilled pass to Lavery, who nestled home against his former club from close range.
Just as momentum was about to swing in the hosts’ favour, the Seasiders showcased their set-piece prowess to restore their lead on 37. A complete replica of the opener, Lee Evans whipped in a corner which Husband – again with acres of space – grabbed his brace by heading into the corner.
Matters got worse just seconds later when Joseph dispossessed United in the middle of the park, using good instinct to race past Connor O’Riordan and scurry into a one-on-one position - where he executed a chip over Reyes which landed just under the crossbar.
Prior to the half-time break, Evans tested his luck with a speculative free-kick from under 30 yards was leathered towards goal, but it required good reflexes from Reyes to paw and force a corner.
It proved the last chance of a frustrating opening half, where the U’s jogged off kicking themselves after conceding some preventable goals and being denied any spells of playing out from the back courtesy of a switched on opponent.
Eager to start on the front foot, Bristol City loanee Stokes was introduced at the break, who in early moments had linked up well with Liam Bennett.
Nonetheless, on the 52nd minute it was now a mountain to climb when Joseph slipped a ball through to Bollard, who assuringly introduced the ball to goal with a neat finish.
In response, the U’s kept their heads up and found an immediate consolation on 57 with a fine free-kick. Winning the ball in the final third, Stokes attempted to wriggle past the Tangerines’ backline, but couldn’t capitalise on the advantage, instead being pulled back for Andrew from 20 yards out, whose exquisite strike found the back of the net.
Keeping his side in the game, Reyes produced a fine stop on the 66th minute to deny substitute Jordan Rhodes, who did exceptionally well to crane his neck and head at the goalkeeper with his back to goal.
United breathed life into the encounter five minutes later with a third thanks to a remarkable super sub appearance from Njoku, who was lurking inside the box and, with his first touch, slotted under O’Donnell for his first professional goal.
Oozing with momentum, the hosts sent the stadium into absolute pandemonium in their next attack, with the inevitable equaliser dished up on 74. A delicious dink from Korey Smith was gratefully met by Njoku down the right, who battled his way to Bennett. His cross was recycled at the far post to Lavery, who was never going to miss as he converted and wheeled away in euphoria.
As a result, the match became extremely end-to-end, with Keogh rolling a plethora of changes to force a stretched conclusion.
During the five minutes of stoppage time, perhaps the U’s best moment landed to the path of Stokes, teed up from Njoku’s clever flick and having the space and time to pull the trigger from 20 yards, but it was right at O’Donnell.
Whilst their bundle of energy ensured they could relentlessly attack and finish on top, the men in amber also had to stay compact and disciplined to ensure a determined point and get their campaign up and running.
Up next, the U’s make the journey to the south west next Saturday (31st August) to take on Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium - with the aim of concluding the month with victory.
Cambridge United: Reyes, O’Riordan, Ibsen Rossi, Andrew, Bennett, Smith, Digby, Brophy (Stokes, 45'), Kaikai (Longelo, 70’), Barton (Njoku, 70’), Lavery
Subs Not Used: Stevens, Morrison, Okedina, Gibbons
Goalscorers: Lavery (28’, 74’), Andrew (58’), Njoku (71’)
Bookings: Brophy, Bennett
Blackpool: O’Donnell, Casey, Baggott, Husband, Hamilton, Norburn (Carey, 85’), Evans, Coulson (Gabriel, 85’), Joseph (Apter, 85’), Ballard (Rhodes, 61’), Fletcher (Embleton, 74’)
Subs Not Used: Chapman, Pennington
Goalscorers: Husband (4’, 37’), Joseph (38’), Bollard (52’)
Bookings: Norburn, Coulson, Casey
Referee: Jacob Miles
Attendance: 6083 (477 away fans)
Man of the Match: Lavery
