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Before fans returned to The Abbey, Cambridge United hadn’t lost a single league game at home this season.
They’ve now suffered two defeats on the bounce and have dropped out of the top three in League Two.
The U’s have had a fine start to their campaign, despite many pre-season predictions tipping them for a bottom half finish. Mark Bonner’s side raced to the top of the table and have been battling the likes of Newport and Cheltenham for a place in the automatic promotion places.
While many of Cambridge’s plaudits came due to their crushing wins away at Morecambe and Scunthorpe, much of their success came from their home form. The U’s have seen off the likes of Salford, Newport and Port Vale at The Abbey, as well as earning hard fought points against Tranmere and Bolton. Fans were eager to return to CB5, knowing how strong their home performances have been of late.
But much of the anticipation and excitement quickly dissolved into frustration and disappointment. Cambridge fell to their first home defeat of the season, losing 1-0 to Mansfield on Wednesday evening. Nigel Clough’s side dropped deep, kept their shape and, unlike the U’s, took their chances when they were presented to them.
Many expected a different game when Oldham came to town. The Latics were on a run of five consecutive away wins, beating the likes of Bradford and Exeter in the process. Harry Kewell has turned his side into an attacking possession-based outfit (which was especially highlighted in their 4-3 win at Barrow last month) so many expected a close affair in Saturday’s clash at The Abbey.
While the scoreline showed just one goal between the two teams, the performances echoed a different story. Oldham could’ve been ahead inside of 15 minutes as Brice Ntambwe’s effort was ruled out for offside. The U’s were given a chance to open the scoring from the spot, but League Two’s top scorer Paul Mullin saw his weak effort saved by Ian Lawlor minutes before the half-time whistle.
From then on, Oldham’s job was simple. They dropped incredibly deep and kept their shape, much like Mansfield did three days earlier, and waited for Cambridge to gift them opportunities on the counter. Just before the hour mark, the Latics raced forward. Alfie McCalmont’s deflected effort landed at an unmarked Conor McAleny, who calmly volleyed past Dimitar Mitov to open the scoring.
This isn’t what we’ve come to expect from one of the tightest defences in League Two so far this season, and it happened again just three minutes later. A well delivered corner headed found Sido Jombati, who laid the ball off for an unmarked McCalmont to tuck it past Mitov once again.
Cambridge’s defence weren’t the only ones to blame, however, as the U’s offered little going forward. Hiram Boateng missed out on a place in the starting lineup due to injury, as did Wes Hoolahan due to playing the full 90 minutes in the defeat to Mansfield. The 38-year-old came on in the second half, as did fellow creative midfielder Idris El Mizouni, but neither had enough time to properly influence the game or the scoreline.
Lining up without a proper creative midfielder was a brave move from Mark Bonner. Adam May and Paul Digby made up the midfield duo in the U’s 4-4-2 system, but struggled to get the ball forward to Paul Mullin, who was left isolated throughout the game. They clearly missed the presence of Joe Ironside alongside him, as Harvey Knibbs looked anonymous for large parts of the match.
Now would be a good chance for Bonner to get his side back into training and back to the drawing board, having won just one of their last five league games. A trip to third place Forest Green Rovers lies in wait next weekend, but Cambridge face a visit from Gillingham in the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday before they head to the New Lawn.
It remains to be seen how seriously Bonner will be taking their participation in the competition. The U’s topped their group, seeing off Fulham U21 as well as League One opponents Peterborough and Burton. Cambridge haven’t added to their trophy cabinet since 2014, when they won the FA Trophy and the National League playoffs, so many fans will be clamouring for more silverware as soon as possible.
However, with Cambridge having crashed out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, many will be keen to see them focus fully on their league campaign. The U’s have finished no higher than ninth since their return to the Football League six years ago, and with a promotion push on the cards, their league performance will undoubtedly be their top priority.
They will certainly look to make multiple changes from the side that lost to Oldham, with the likes of Callum Burton, Leon Davies and Andy Dallas in line to start. Some of the club’s academy products could be given the nod as well, with Joe Neal and Ben Worman looking the most likely to earn a place in Tuesday’s XI.
The Gills have been in fine form in League One recently, but will be sure to make wholesale changes from the side that won 2-0 at home to Swindon on Saturday. Cambridge will fancy their chances against Steve Evans’ side as they look to finally end their winless run.
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