Cambridge United remain winless from their opening nine games of the 2024/25 Sky Bet League One campaign after Ryan Woods’ well-struck attempt helped Exeter City edge out a 1-0 victory at St James Park…
Head Coach Garry Monk named two changes from the side that were downed at the death by Rotherham United. Tinkering with his attacking department, Elias Kachunga started from the get-go for the first time since the opening day of the campaign, whilst Ryan Loft was handed his full debut. Elsewhere, Sullay Kaikai and Emmanuel Longelo recovered from illness to make the bench.
Shooting towards the big bank of standing Grecians, the visitors opted for a direct approach in the opening minutes, with their high line forcing possession in dangerous spaces.
Growing by the game, Vicente Reyes was on hand to bravely deny the opener for the Grecians on the 9th minute. After being released down the left, Ilmari Niskanen delivered a low, teasing ball into the six-yard box towards a lunging Josh Magennis, which the U’s goalkeeper protected but required treatment following a collision.
Taking control, the hosts began to terrorise with their creativity down the flank - notably Millenic Alli on the right used his front-footed approach to force a succession of corners.
This would result in Gary Caldwell’s side drawing first blood on the 22nd minute. A delivery caused pinball and shirt pulls in the box, but the U’s were unable to clear their lines as the ball invitingly fell to Woods from 18 yards out who cracked a sweet strike into the corner.
In spite of the setback, there was still an outlet for the men in green to find a way back into the game. A neat foray into the final third on 37 saw Jubril Okedina and Korey Smith carry well, with the latter finding Dan Nlundulu inside the area. The striker picked his spot and pulled the trigger, but it was blocked by Pierce Sweeney. With the break just around the corner, Joe Whitworth was yet to be tested between the sticks.
On top of finding a solution to increase their attempts at goal, United needed to remain alert defensively. An important and firm tackle from Okedina helped to deny a jinking Alli – now in a central role after Magennis was forced off injured – on the outskirts of the area, before lines were cleared.
It put to an end another half of further frustration, with the U’s behind in a controversial manner, but at the other end had not boasted the creativity to force a way back into it.
A rapid start to the second period saw Monk’s group register their opening opportunity within a matter of seconds when Liam Bennett did well down the right to pick out Nlundulu, who missed the ball from six yards out but fortunately fell to an unmarked Kachunga – but his first time shot was straight at Crystal Palace loanee Joe Whitworth.
There was undoubtedly more promise in Cambridge’s play this time around, with the drive in their attacks evident. After being played in by strike partner Loft, Nlundulu raced in on goal from an angle on the 56th minute, but Sweeney again was there to put it out of play.
Four minutes later, the ball bounced to Loft from 20 yards, who tested his luck with an instinctive attempt towards goal – but Whitworth was on hand to reach low and catch. This was the end of the summer signing’s shift, with Brandon Njoku and then James Brophy entering the fold.
It took until the 69th minute for the Grecians to cause a scare following a rare scurry into the box, when substitute Amari Richards cut in on his left but curled the ball well wide of Reyes’ right post.
United’s approach remained an extremely positive one, controlling the proceedings and enjoying freedom to roam. For a brief second, they thought the alluded equaliser was dished up on 77 when Okedina’s flicked header was gobbled up by Njoku’s acrobatic attempt, but the youngster was denied by the offside flag.
Five minutes from time, livewire Alli bursted through towards goal but hit his shot point blank at Reyes, who crucially kept his side in the game.
Opening up in the dying embers - and straight down at the other end after Nlundulu directed a curler past the post - Sonny Cox sprinted from out wide and drilled towards the far bottom corner, but the Chilean stopper pawed behind
Ultimately, it was the lack of bite and tenacity to force something from an open clash that was the U’s downfall, whose frustrating start to the season continued.
The international break now beckons for United, who have a two-week break before returning to the Abbey on 19 October to take on Wigan Athletic.
Exeter City: Whitworth, Niskanen, Sweeney, Fitzwater, Yfeko, McMillan, Woods, Francis (Carayol, 82’), Aitchison (Doyle, 72’), Alli, Magennis (Richards, 35’ (Cox, 71’))
Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Purrington, Bird
Goalscorers: Woods (22’)
Bookings: Yfeko, Woods
Cambridge United: Reyes, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Bennett, Digby, Smith (Kaikai, 75’), Gibbons (Longelo, 75’), Kachunga (Brophy, 67’), Loft (Njoku, 61’), Nlundulu
Subs Not Used: Stevens, Cousins, O’Riordan
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Loft, Andrew
Referee: Scott Tallis
