This week the U’s hosted basement team Newport County, after a recent run of poor form the U’s needed to stop the rot and this game was seen as the perfect opportunity. With Uche Ikpeazu suspended, Ben Williamson stepped in to the lead the line. Barry Corr was the name the fans were clamouring for after his midweek cameo saved Cambridge a point, but Derry was rightfully protecting him after 13 months out injured.
The game started with Newport more than happy to soak up some pressure, however, it was the Exiles who had the first chance of note, forcing a top class save from Norris in net to keep Cambridge in the game early doors. After that the U’s weren’t just knocking on the door, they were attempting to smash it down, last-ditch defending and bodies on the line keep Newport in the game and Cambridge were left wondering what they had to do to score. Despite being on the back foot and their defence keeping them in it, two minutes before half-time former U’s hitman Ryan Bird took advantage of some sloppy defending to nip in at the near post and deal a huge blow to the U’s. Newport’s form coming into this game was very good however you felt this was the game for Cambridge to turn it around and this isn’t how they wanted to go in at half-time. The U’s had one last chance before the whistle and Roberts who had already come close had a back post header blocked just before the line once again. Resolute wasn’t strong enough to justify the Newport defence so far.
Derry knew United needed something in the second half and the fans were brought to their feet when after 13 months Barry Corr came on to play in a home fixture. This change gave Cambridge some more life with Mingoia forcing a brilliant close range save from the opposition ‘keeper. For all their attacking intent it was a similar story and Bird doubled his tally for the day with an almost mirror image of the first goal. The pressure was well and truly on the U’s and Derry now.
The U’s were not down and out however, Mingoia was running riot on the wing and putting in ball after ball and it was only a matter of time until it happened. A perfect ball and a bullet header driven down and past the keeper. Barry Corr had scored. Big Bad Barry Corr was back and with a bang, you could feel the mood change and despite being two down at the hour mark, Cambridge somehow felt the most likely to win. Eight minutes later a corner was delivered into the box and Captain Leon Legge powered home a header to bring the U’s level. The NRE were up and behind the team and a feeling Cambridge fans would have only felt once this year, a victory, was now a possibility.
The defining moment of the game came late on, Berry broke into the box and was brought down, a red card for the opposition and a penalty for Cambridge. Corr stepped up to take however he was forced off the field due to a blood injury, Mingoia picked the ball up before it was settled that Marris would take the penalty. The penalty was saved and for a split second you felt like this once again wasn’t going to be our day, but Mark Roberts was alert, on hand, and had enough power to smash the ball home. Late drama, returning heroes, missed penalties and five goals. Cambridge didn’t make it easy but they sure did make it exciting.
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Published by Matthew Robinson