Cambridge United were forced to overcome testing conditions to claim a sixth clean sheet from their last eight as they shared a stalemate with Sky Bet League One opponents Northampton Town at Sixfields…
Preparing to battle it out in wet and windy circumstances, both sides felt a sense of optimism going into this one. Vastly improved in both departments of late, the U’s in their fluorescent blue arrived off the back of one defeat from seven in all competitions and now needed to reduce the three-point gap from safety heading into a busy schedule. Just like last season, the Cobblers had been steady, similarly on a notable league run of one loss in six.
Searching for a return to winning ways, Garry Monk decided to make the sole change to the XI that grinded out a valuable draw against Barnsley a week later as Vicente Reyes returned from international duty to take his place between the sticks.
The strong breeze would prove to be a hurdle from the get-go. Within the first minute, Sam Hoskins embarked on a driving run into the area, but a great tackle from a recovering Jubril Okedina denied the shot. The ball was recycled and squared across the face of goal but the U’s cleared their lines well.
Five minutes later, the visitors forced the first big opportunity when Korey Smith won possession high up the pitch and fed Brandon Njoku, who raced into the box and pulled the trigger from a tight angle, which was denied at the near post by the feet of Lee Burge.
The goalkeeper was called into action again on the 9th minute when Michael Morrison got on the end of Danny Andrew’s deep free-kick, but the captain couldn’t generate enough power.
Despite plugging away as the half progressed, it was evident that taking advantage of the conditions would take some doing - with neither side able to carve out any chances of note or claim any spells of possession.
On the half hour mark, Hoskins tested his luck with a 25-yard attempt, but slipped and took off the power in the process as it slowly trickled along the floor to the graceful arms of Reyes.
The U’s received a let-off in the following attack just seconds later when a lack of awareness to track back Hoskins handed the winger the time and space to cut in from the left and pick his spot, but he blasted it well wide of goal.
With the encounter now showing signs of opening up, Jordan Cousins looked to spark an attack by scampering into space and weaving past his man, before handing it on a plate to Elias Kachunga on the outskirts of the box – but the attacker couldn’t test the goalkeeper as it was launched over the crossbar.
Overall, a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal meant that a stalemate going into the break was a very fair reflection.
With the wind behind them in the second half, Northampton were hoping to pounce but the U’s remained resolute to battle with the storm. Although United were trying to unlock the killer pass, nothing was falling their way – the lack of creativity was clear.
Nonetheless, both sides believed they could still take this game by the scruff of the neck and find a winner, with Monk bringing on Shayne Lavery and Jon Brady introducing the experienced Martyn Waghorn.
On the 66th minute, a teasing, inswinging corner from Andrew was met by the head of Dan Nlundulu, who did incredibly well to meet it as a deflection forced it behind.
Probing, the U’s had an excellent opportunity to break deadlock on 68 when an aerial battle in the box invitingly landed to Lavery from 12 yards, who launched his snapshot over the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, Cambridge were agonisingly close to gaining the lead as the hosts escaped a mighty scare. Following good work from Lavery out wide, the Northern Irishman struck from an angle which was stopped by Burge but fell to Kachunga from a matter of yards out – just as he was about to tap in, Nesta Guinness-Walker popped up with a crucial block.
Up the other end, the Cobblers went close through powerhouse Tom Eaves – who outmuscled a couple of U’s and angled an effort just wide of Reyes’ right stick.
The match was certainly more stretched during the dying embers, with the hosts enjoying a plethora of play inside their attacking half, but all in all United preserved the point – a well-earned reward for their efforts on a testing afternoon.
Up next, it’s some midweek football at the Cledara Abbey on Tuesday (26th November) when Bolton Wanderers make the long journey down – be sure to back the boys.
Northampton Town: Burge, Odimayo, Eyoma, Guthrie, Guinness-Walker, Chouchane (Waghorn, 65’), Fox (Hondermarck, 73’), Pinnock (Eaves, 73’), McGeehan, Hoskins (Fosu, 57’), Roberts
Subs Not Used: Tzanev, McGowan, McCarron
Goalscorers:
Bookings:
Cambridge United: Reyes, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Bennett, Smith, Cousins, Brophy, Kachunga, Njoku (Lavery, 62’), Nlundulu
Subs Not Used: Stevens, Watts, Kaikai, Ibsen Rossi, Loft, O’Riordan
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Lavery
Referee: Alan Young
Attendance: 6654 (919 away fans)