With Gina having a “day off” from the Cabin (thanks to Paul for standing in to help) I was taking Away travel bookings….the big double decker coach to Oxford is almost full. Plenty of fans wanting to go to Gillingham too, probably to see James Brophy and thank him for his time at CUFC. The Sheffield Wednesday match is on the International weekend, and they have a number of players likely to be called for duty the match will probably be moved.
U’s starting line up: Eastwood in goal, Bennett, Watts, Heffernan, Perry at the back, Ball, Kaikai, Moxon, Knight and Bangura-Williams in the middle, with Ahadme at the front. Breeze, Bradshaw, Appere, Curtis, Heath, Lavery and Mpanzu on the bench.
U’s attacked the South Stand in the first half, and for the first 30 minutes or so the game seemed to be played between the two penalty areas, with little goal action as the teams cancelled each other out, although Reading looked the more dangerous.
Then Reading upped their game and were on top, Eastwood having to make a good save.
Then a long ball into our penalty area was headed into the air, and as it dropped Marriot mishit a shot but it dribbled into the corner of the goal. 0-1 after 38 minutes.
Reading made more chances and again Eastwood made a couple of good saves to keep us in the match, U’s doing little to trouble the Reading goal.
Half time: 0-1. 50/50 draw ticket #28539 won £549.
Neil Haris made 2 changes for the second half, Lavery and Mpanzu replacing Moxon and RBW.
Reading started the second half on top, but on 52 U’s equalised, a long cross from Perry to the back post where Bennett rose higher than his marker to head back over the keeper and into the goal. 1-1
U’s were in the ascendancy and 10 minutes later went in front. A corner was half cleared, Knight passed to Mpanzu to cross and Watts rose to head into the top corner of the goal from around 12 yards. 2-1 on 62.
Both teams made more chances but defended well, both keepers having to make good saves.
Bradshaw and Curtis came on for Perry and Ahadme on 85, Appere replaced Knight in stoppage time.
Lavery had a great chance to extend the lead when put through on goal but a defender got back to clear.
Final score: 2-1
Another 7,000+ crowd, only the South Stand had any space. If life was fair then a draw would have been the final score! Both teams had half hearted shouts for penalties turned down. I thought referee Yates had a good match overall.
Liam may have been the shortest player on the pitch, but he timed his jump to perfection. He has had a couple of similar back post headed chances in other matches, so it is nice to see it work this time.
And what a header from the Big Geordie form a superb cross.
U’s were definitely second best for much of the first half. RBW couldn’t seem to get into the game, Knight was reduced to running with the ball sideways. Ahadme did well as the lone front man with lots of running and challenging for the ball, and Kaikai looked dangerous on our left. Moxon and Ball did what they could in the middle but were often outnumbered. The defence did OK, Heffernan has slotted in alongside Watts and was a bit unfortunate when they scored, but with a forward like Marriott you have to be at the top of your game.
The half time changes made a difference. I was surprised Moxon was taken off, but the experience of Mpanzu really helped, and the running of Lavery made life difficult for their defenders as we went to a 4-4-2 formation. Knight was able move forwards with the ball ably supported by Bennett. Kaikai managed a couple of shots but went for power with not enough accuracy, he is better when he places the ball in the corner.
Perry was having a difficult time against their winger in the second half, and having “taken one for the team” with a booking as he held his man to prevent a break away was replaced by Bradshaw. Ahadme was the only other booking, apparently fouling when jumping for the ball with 2 defenders! Savage came on for Reading late and was unable to earn a booking for a change!
In the August Amber News (https://www.cambridgefansunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Amber-News-AUGUST-2026-2.pdf) I reckoned Reading would be in the top group in League 1, and with the firepower they have it was not surprising they made quite a few chances, although the stats show U’s had 5 on target to their 4, although Reading had 19 shots to our 11, and more touches in our penalty area. Both keepers made 3 saves. Our team as a whole defended well, with a number of last ditch blocks preventing shots getting through.
Last time we played Reading we lost to goals from former U’s Sam Smith and Harvey Knibbs. So not having any Ex-CUFC players is why they lost! At one time Marriott was based in the north of Cambridgeshire, perhaps that was why he was able to score.