Cambridge United secured their place in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Woking…
The Cardinals pushed United all the way, who were made to work for the victory by their non-league hosts, but it was James Brophy who popped up with the all-important goal on 73 minutes to ensure that there would be no headlines written about the U’s this weekend.
Garry Monk named two changes from last weekend’s win against Burton, as James Gibbons and Sullay Kaikai came in for Danny Andrew and Brandon Njoku.
Backed by over 700 travelling U’s, it took some time for United to settle into the game and get a hold of proceedings. The first effort in vain came from the home side on eight minutes, as Lewis scuffed his shot from the edge of the box wide of Reyes’ post.
A nasty clash of heads between Okedina and Lewis on the 17th minute left the Woking man down and needing to be stretchered off. He also received a yellow card, the home side’s second of the game, whilst the United man was able to continue after a change of shirts.
There was a lack of quality on show from both sides during the opening half hour, with much of the action coming from within a hectic midfield battle.
United’s best opening came after 28 minutes, as a cross-field pass was chased down Kachunga, who beat his man before slipping in Bennett, but he failed to find a U’s attacker, as his ball flew across the six-yard box, untouched.
Moments later, Woking should have gone ahead. Max Dyche was found unmarked at the back-post from an in-swinging corner, but with the goal at his mercy, his header hit the ground and bounced wide, much to the relief of the travelling fans.
On the stroke of half-time, Nlundulu thought he had put his side ahead after a fine attacking move from the U’s ended with the ball in the net.
A swift United counter-attack saw Kachunga play in the on-running Digby, and his first time cross was met by Nlundulu, who turned the ball in at the near-post.
Despite letting the celebrations continue for some time, after a conversation between the referee and his assistant, the decision was made to rule the goal out.
Brophy came close to leaving no doubt just before the half-time whistle, as his shot from 20 yards took a deflection and forced Jaaskelainen into a fine save as he parried over the bar.
It was a more positive end to the half for Garry Monk’s men, who ended it on top despite there being nothing to show for it on the scoresheet.
Danny Andrew replaced Jubril Okedina at half-time and it was the hosts who were applying the pressure during the opening stages of the second half. Gibbons was needed to defend the near-post on two separate occasions, as the Cardinals went at United, buoyed by their home crowd.
They continued to ask questions and came the width of the post away from taking the lead on 63 minutes, as Andrews hit the post from a direct free-kick, that left Reyes rooted to his spot.
Just as it looked like we may have been heading to extra time, the U’s found the opening goal - brilliant counter-attacking move that resulted in Brophy firing into the top corner to end his much-discussed goal drought.
Kaikai led United up the pitch and after he found Digby in support, the midfielder picked out the delayed run of Brophy who made it count with a brilliant finish to sent the travelling fans into raptures.
Cousins and Watts joined the action with less than 10 minutes remaining, to try and see the game out, and despite a few half-scares, United kept the Cardinals at bay to win 1-0.
