High flying Plymouth travelled to the Cambs Glass stadium this weekend with the U’s stuck in a bit of rut and Derry needing to get them out of it. Derry’s men had struggled in recent weeks and some had accused them of lacking a plan B for when they’re struggling to break teams down, but today the U’s jumped straight in with a new player a new formation.
With additions made in the window Derry had a bit more depth and made drastic changes for this match. Playing a back three, wing backs and two forwards was certainly bold against a form team but early doors the shock factor looked to be working for the U’s. Ben Williamson, look to stake a claim after being given a chance to impress from the off on Saturday, had the first real chance for the U’s. Williamson connected with a good cross for a strong headed effort, but the Pilgrims defence threw everything at it and deflected it wide. Liam O’Neil making his debut, in centre midfield despite coming in with a reputation as a centre back, had a good effort which looped over the far. The U’s were certainly on top at this stage.
Plymouth began to come into the match however, Will Norris was forced into two good saves from Sarcevic and Matthew Kennedy, with Plymouth also having some close efforts miss the target. At this stage the U’s new plan seemed to be fruitful going forward, however there were some weaknesses at the back. The 3 centre backs, particularly Wharton, were doing fairly well in general pal, however Mingoia seemed to struggle at wing back. This is to be expected as this is a difficult formation to switch to mid-season, and a brave move by Derry, teams in the English system are generally more comfortable with a back 4 but Derry had drilled the lads well.
As half time approached neither side were taking the game by the scruff of the neck, both sides had their chances but you wouldn’t say Plymouth were any better than the U’s, however, as form sides tend to do, they took a chance just before half time. A corner was swung in and Sarcevic had a free header and he does not miss from that position. A blow for the U’s, but they almost bounced back right away, a similar scenario but Plymouth had a man in the right place on the line who could clear Scott Wharton’s header. Cambridge went in one down at half time.
Plymouth came out in the second half and were willing to let Cambridge play, they had men behind the ball and kept their cool well. A common theme throughout the game was Plymouth blocking Cambridge shots. It seemed for huge periods every effort Cambridge tried to hit towards goal wouldn’t get past the first man. Plymouth were doing a fantastic job of protecting their keeper and their lead. Their keeper was called upon though and was alert to the action. 20 minutes from time substitute Paul Lewis got away a good header but Luke McCormick parried the effort away from danger.
There was one more chance for Cambridge to strike a blow, Wharton had another header and in a horrible bit of deja vu it beat the keeper but there was a man on the line to prevent the effort hitting the back of the net. Cambridge lost the game one to nil and have now lost three in a row. They need to bounce back and have a long trip to Morcombe next week, but they will see this game as winnable and the U’s away form has been decent all year. It will be interesting to see what system Derry goes with in that game, there were some positives to take from this change up but we are still lacking goals, Derry has been through worst runs of form and turned it around and the Amber Army will be backing their man to do it again.
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Published by Matthew Robinson