Cambridge United were unable to return home from Adams Park with a point towards their Sky Bet League One tally as a confident Wycombe Wanderers outfit secured a late 2-1 victory…
Undone early doors by Garath McCleary’s well-taken finish, the U’s made their first opportunity count straight up the other end as Dan Nlundulu made it two strikes from two. However, a relentless Chairboys dominated the second half and their relentless pressure paid off five minutes from time as Cameron Humphreys secured the points and extended the visitors’ winless start.
Requiring a reaction from their midweek EFL Trophy defeat against Charlton Athletic, Garry Monk rolled the dice by naming five changes to his XI. Danny Andrew, James Gibbons and Zeno Ibsen Rossi returned to the defence, whilst Paul Digby and James Brophy helped to bolster the midfield. Elias Kachunga was deemed fit enough to return to the bench after a month out injured.
With the light rain easing off and the sun shining over the pristine pitch, the opening moments provided pinball in the visitors box, eventually clearing their lines against an outfit who looked to impose themselves aerially from the get-go.
In fine fettle under Matt Bloomfield, the Chairboys made their first opportunity count as they took an early lead seven minutes in. Matching a lofted ball and beating the offside trap, experienced winger McCleary found himself in acres of space down the right and took it upon himself to race inside the box and crack the tip of the post which left Vicente Reyes rooted to the spot.
On the 15th minute, Ibsen Rossi literally had to put his body on the line to prevent Daniel Udoh from firing on goal from close range. His endeavour forced the hosts to recycle, with Aaron Morley testing his luck with an ambitious 25-yard attempt that generated too much height.
It had been a demanding start for United, but they sure made their only foray into the final third count by levelling the tie just a few minutes later. Andrew’s cross was chested down by Nlundulu, who at a rapid pace turned and lashed into the far bottom corner – a piece of quality from the deadline day arrival.
Retaining the momentum on the ball despite the equaliser, Wycombe forced a scare on 24 when a fine inswinging cross evaded Reyes - who had jumped to punch – and landed to the head of Richard Kone, but with the goal gaping it went wide.
Up the other end, Sullay Kaikai showcased some energy against his former side to feed Korey Smith in an advanced position on the left, who tried to cut it back to a looming Nlundulu but Franco Ravizzoli importantly dived to claim it.
As the break creeped closer, you saw more of a spring in the step of Monk’s men, who were using both flanks well and had added that extra tenacity. The hosts had the possession but ultimately weren’t their usual free-flowing self.
The last attempt of note came during additional time when Dan Harvie’s throw was flicked by the head of the towering Caleb Taylor, with nobody there to pounce apart from Reyes, who claimed. It was a 45 minutes the U’s would be satisfied with, arguably just shading it after growing in comfort.
Wanderers approached the second half with a point to prove, forcing United to camp back and see out waves of attack. First, Sadlier’s shot from a tight angle took a wicked deflection, before a fluid one-two from Harvie and Kone resulted in the former pulling the trigger – but Reyes was alert to dive to his right and paw behind, with the offside flag denying a corner.
Early substitute Sadlier continued to probe and had an attempt at goal on 55, with Humphreys eyeing up from 25 yards five minutes later, but it was down the throat of the U’s goalkeeper. As the hour beckoned, Monk’s men were yet to find any luck attacking towards a focal away following of 421 and had to slow down the play at times.
A passing sequence on 62, which included neat moves into the penalty box, allowed the combative Scowen to test Reyes, before Kone had quickfire attempts and McCleary dragged wide following a mazy drive. United’s goalkeeper and rearguard, to their credit, remained firm to keep a dangerous side at bay.
Changes beckoned, with Jordan Cousins and Dan Barton coming on midway through the half to add more directness and more protection in the middle of the park.
Seconds after coming on – and fresh from bagging four in midweek - Beryly Lubala should have restored the advantage when he was found with so much space inside the six-yard box, but he blazed it high and wide.
In response to the wake-up call, Andrew was presented with the chance to show off his free-kick prowess from a speculative distance of 30 yards. It initially gave Ravizzoli something to think about - but couldn’t dip at the right time as it sailed just over the woodwork.
Three minutes later, Reyes was on hand with an awe-inspiring save when McCleary’s delivery down the right found Lubala, who hit a venomous strike goal bound but the Norwich City loanee continued a brave performance with great reflexes.
A change to the attacking department saw Kachunga and Brandon Njoku see out the final few minutes and attempt to force late drama, but it proved to be the Chairboys who, after knocking on the door throughout, popped up with the goods on 84 when Jack Grimmer teed up loanee Humphreys, who fired home.
Desperate to return home with something, an exquisite corner from Andrew on the cusp of stoppage time curled towards several men in amber, but nobody was there to tap home. Ultimately, it was the last chance as United remain rooted at the foot of the third tier.
Up next, the U’s return home for a league match for the first time in over a month next Saturday (28th September) when Michael Skubala’s Lincoln City visit the Cledara Abbey.
Wycombe Wanderers: Ravizzoli, Grimmer, Low, Taylor, Harvie, Scowen, Morley, Humphreys (Butcher, 90+1’), McCleary, Udoh (Sadlier, 19’), Kone (Lubala, 66’)
Subs Not Used: George, Hartridge, Bakinson, Skura
Goalscorers: McCleary (7’), Humphreys (84’)
Bookings: Scowen
Cambridge United: Reyes, Okedina, Digby, Ibsen Rossi, Gibbons, Smith, Brophy (Kachunga, 80’), Andrew, Kaikai (Cousins, 65’), Longelo (Barton, 65’), Nlundulu (Njoku, 81’)
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Morrison, O’Riordan
Goalscorers: Nlundulu (18’)
Bookings: Kaikai, Ibsen Rossi
Referee: Scott Oldham
Attendance: 4189 (421 away fans)
