Cambridge United’s winning record in Sky Bet League One was terminated as they suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat at the hands of Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium…
The U’s were torn apart during a devastating 20-minute spell in the first period from the hosts, who roared ahead courtesy of well-worked goals from Ricky-Jade Jones, Kwame Poku and Malik Mothersille. The Posh eased up after Ryan De Havilland made it five, allowing Sullay Kaikai to pull one back, but Poku secured his hat-trick on the cusp of full-time to conclude the dismantling.
Heading into the anticipated encounter, confidence was sky-high for the visitors – who had registered five consecutive wins and clean sheets to breathe life into their campaign. A tough challenge was poised against the Posh, who had been an entertaining outfit to watch after scoring the second most goals in the division, yet at the other end only Shrewsbury Town had shipped more than them.
Fresh from a midweek rest for many, Head Coach Garry Monk named two changes to the team that won at Woking in the FA Cup seven days earlier, with Jordan Cousins replacing the injured Paul Digby and Sullay Kaikai making way for Brandon Njoku. Ryan Loft was deemed fit enough to make the bench, whilst Amaru Kaunda was also rewarded a place in the squad following a first professional goal.
A vociferous atmosphere beckoned, with both sides eager to excite the pumped crowd. That early opportunity fell to the way of the U’s on the 4th minute when Elias Kachunga robbed Archie Collins in possession from 20 yards out and teed up Dan Nlundulu inside the left of the box. The angle was very tight, but he did well to direct towards his near corner, where Nicholas Bilokapic poked away for a corner.
All in all, it had been a brave, foot-footed start from United, who had the greater intention to attack the game with pace. Shortly after Cousins fired over the crossbar with an ambitious attempt, another heavy spell in the final third saw James Brophy fizz a ball into the six-yard box, but nobody was there to gobble it up.
With 14 minutes on the clock, the energetic Kachunga danced into the box with a dribble, before flicking back for Nlundulu who cracked a venomous strike a matter of yards over Bilokapic’s bar.
Showcasing why their frontline is feared, Peterborough’s first attack almost resulted in the opener on 19 when Jones raced clean down the left and drilled towards the far corner, but an exceptional low stop from Vicente Reyes and clearance from Michael Morrison saw off the danger.
For the first time in over a month, the U’s backline was breached on 24 following a sublime counter-attacking move. Joel Randall poked to Jack Sparkes, whose pinpoint delivery was met by Jones who finished off the fluid sequence by trickling home.
It would prove to be the start of one-way traffic and complete dominance as the Posh turned defence into attack within a matter of seconds shortly after to extend their lead. A long ball beat the offside trap and allowed Randall to square towards an unmarked Poku who smashed into the net from close-range.
On the 37th minute, an excellent run from Mothersille saw him weave his way through the defence, cut inside and pull the trigger inside the area, but Reyes denied with a firm paw.
Unable to find a foothold, the unplayable hosts continued to latch onto their momentum by making it a mountain to climb on 39 with the third of the afternoon. After holding the ball with sheer strength, Jones returned the pass to Poku whose speculative shot went in off the post.
A miserable first half was compounded a couple of minutes before the whistle when a man in blue was fouled in the area, resulting in Edward Duckworth pointing to the spot and Mothersille adding himself to the scoresheet by slotting past Reyes.
Following the break, United almost dished up an immediate consolation when Nlundulu’s free-kick from 25 yards took a wicked deflection, which left Bilokapic rooted to the spot as he saw it go out for a corner in slow motion.
On the 49th minute, another clinical scamper into the final third saw the ruthless hosts further extend their lead when Poku dazzled past defenders and cut back for De Havilland who fired into the corner.
Smelling blood at every opportunity, Zeno Ibsen Rossi lost out to Jones in a dangerous position, which allowed the striker to twist and turn before shooting high and wide with venom on the hour mark.
The aim for the visitors now was to try and not knock further stuffing out of an absorbing day where they could not contain a relentless attack, who again tested the gloves of the U’s goalkeeper on the 77th minute courtesy of Collins’ piledriver.
Up the other end, where action was at a premium, substitutes Kaikai and Ryan Loft combined extremely well. The former nutmegged his man and was then played through on goal by the latter, but just before Kaikai could try his luck Oscar Wallin was there to deny with an excellent challenge.
The Sierra Leone international made no mistake on 83 when he struck home a neat curler via the post and past a helpless Bilokapic to restore some parity.
Bennett marauded into the box a few minutes later and cracked towards the corner, but the Posh goalkeeper denied a likely second with a strong stop.
Nonetheless, the demolition job was complete on the stroke of additional time when Poku cut inside on his left and shot home for his hat-trick to put to an end a hard-hitting afternoon for Monk’s side.
A week of recuperation now awaits the U’s, who return home to CB5 next Saturday (16th November) as Barnsley make the trip down – be sure to back the boys.
Peterborough United: Bilokapic, Dornelly, Fernandez (Nevett, 87’), Wallin, Sparkes, Collins, De Havilland (O’Brien-Brady, 67’), Poku, Randall (Conn-Clarke, 87’), Mothersille (Odoh, 66’), Jones (Hayes, 82’)
Subs Not Used: Blackmore, Mills
Goalscorers: Jones (24’), Poku (31’, 39’, 89’), Mothersille (43’), De Havilland (49’)
Bookings: Jones, Dornelly
Cambridge United: Reyes, Gibbons (Ibsen Rossi, 31’), Morrison, Okedina, Bennett, Cousins, Smith, Brophy, Kachunga, Njoku (Loft, 69’), Nlundulu (Kaikai, 61’)
Subs Not Used: Stevens, Watts, Ibsen Rossi, O’Riordan, Kaunda
Goalscorers: Kaikai (83’)
Bookings:
Referee: Edward Duckworth