Cambridge United picked up a second consecutive draw in Sky Bet League One as they shared the spoils 1-1 with Northampton Town at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
The Shoe Army dealt the first blow midway through the first half when Sam Hoskins fired home from close range, before James Brophy responded shortly after the break by scoring for the second game in a row via a direct corner. Despite this, the game couldn’t open up as the sides shut up shop to retain a point.
Looking to turn the solitary point into all three after the last-gasp 1-1 draw at Barnsley a week earlier, Neil Harris opted with an unchanged XI, with just two changes to the bench as Dan Nlundulu and Sullay Kaikai made way for Academy graduates Brandon Njoku and Dan Barton.
Chances were few and far between in a below-par start to the match, with Terry Taylor testing his luck with an ambitious strike from 25 yards inside the first minute which flew over the crossbar.
An element of control was soon handed to the way of the U’s, who were combative in their approach but yet to test Lee Burge between the sticks, who almost received a scare when Paul Digby’s attempted cross invitingly curled near the top corner, but the goalkeeper watched it rise.
The first shot on target of the afternoon resulted in the opener 25 minutes in when a throw into the box forced pinball, with United unable to clear their lines and a looming Hoskins cracking beyond Nathan Bishop to hand his side the lead.
In the ascendency from here, Tyler Roberts headed over the crossbar before the former Leeds United man then had another bite at the cherry on 34 when the ball fell to him down the left, before cutting inside and blazing over the roof of the Newmarket Road End.
The U’s undoubtedly needed half time to regroup, especially when their job was almost made even harder three minutes from time. A rapid counter from the Cobblers saw Cameron McGeehan intercept in the middle of the park and races towards the final third, where he switched to Roberts, who had enough time to think and cut back, before firing a venomous shot at the side netting.
A double swap at the break ensued, with Liam Bennett and Ryan Loft on for some much-needed creativity out wide and power in both areas.
Reacting well by coming out of the blocks with a front-footed approach, the hosts levelled proceedings on the 51st minute in excellent circumstances. After Digby done well to win a corner, Brophy fired an exquisite, inswinging cross which looped towards goal and pawed into the net by Burge.
This allowed the U’s to play with more invention, acknowledging that the end-to-end clash was now very much there for the taking for both.
However, it would take until the 72nd minute for the next chance of note when dead ball specialist Mitch Pinnock floated a free-kick to defender Max Dyche, who got his head on it but couldn’t quite find the accuracy as it trickled just past the post.
Pushing for a winner by putting pressure in the danger zone, a deep cross towards Loft at the back post was a strong one, but just as the striker was about to pull the trigger from yards out the referee blew for a shove.
Ultimately, it was to be a 90 minutes of very little opportunities, with Northampton rueing their late moments and the game petering out to ensure a point apiece.
Up next, it’s a quick turnaround at the Abbey as the U’s welcome Wrexham on Tuesday night (1st April) – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Bishop, Gibbons, Morrison, Watts, Malone (Bennett, 45’), Digby, Stevenson, Brophy, Stokes (Njoku, 90+2’), Kachunga, Ballard (Loft, 45’)
Subs Not Used: Stevens, Okedina, Barton, Hoddle
Goalscorers: Brophy (51’)
Bookings: Stevenson, Stokes
Northampton Town: Burge, Guinness-Walker, Dyche, McGowan (Eyoma, 85’), Hoskins, Perry (Hondermarck, 90+2’), Taylor, Pinnock (Odimayo, 78’), McGeehan, Roberts, Eaves (Magloire, 78’)
Subs Not Used: Tzanev, Dadge, Mbete
Goalscorers: Hoskins (25’)
Bookings:
Referee: Matthew Russell
Attendance: 7252 (1035 away fans)