It was a very warm night at the Abbey Stadium as Cambridge United took on premier league Southampton in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Both teams made changes but the visitors still looked to have named a powerful line up. It was going to be an interesting evening. A noisy crowd of 6733 including a packed south stand of around 1400 visiting saints supporters made for a great atmosphere.
The saints kicked off towards the NRE and were soon on the offensive. Their passing was slick, precise and full of energy as they tore into the men in amber. The first scare arrived on 3 minutes when Adam’s side footed home after 3 minutes but the officials had noticed handball in the build up. It was to be a temporary let off. Moments later Elyounoussi played a clever ball over his head to fire a shot at goal, Home keeper Mannion getting down low to save. The U’s were finding it hard to make an impression. So after 16 minutes it was little surprise when they took the lead, Armstrong and Payne passing nicely on the wing, crossed the ball to the unmarked Adam’s, looking suspiciously offside, to side foot home from a couple of feet out for 0-1.
The visitors roared on by their loud support attacked again with Stuart Armstrong’s deflected shot well saved by Mannion. Moments later following a corner, Armstrong’s header was blocked and fell kindly for Dialio who fired wide. The U’s nearly scored a spectacular own goal when Elyounoussi fired in a cross, miskicked by Rossi which went just wide of the post. In a rare United break following a long throw, Ironside headed on for Janneh to lash a shot against the crossbar. Referee Rock had already whistled for a foul. Moments later in a fast break, too fast for the main stand assistant to flag for offside, Armstrong lashed in a shot from the edge of the box, well saved by Mannion. Nearly 2-0 but a yard offside.
United defenders massed to crowd out Elyounoussi as he was about to shoot and blocked him out. The other Armstrong was then on hand and ready to pull the trigger, George Williams clearing. Just before half time the U’s had their best moments of the half. Orchestrated by Jack Lankester who teased his opponents on the edge of the saints box, as he was crowded out, he fed Janneh who drove his shot into the side netting. A pulsating half then with the score 0-1 to the visitors.
The second half began with the U’s shooting toward the NRE. Sam Smith stabbed a shot just wide in the opening moments, really it was a snap shot and he had more time. The U’s were still in the game until 55 when Romeu fired in a shot, well saved by Mannion, but the ball ran loose to Adam’s who fired the rebound in for 0-2. Moments later with the visitors in overdrive Valery tried his luck but was foiled by Mannion. Several changes were made; May, Knibbs and Tracey for Simper, Smith and Janneh for united. For the visitors, Elyounoussi, Armstrong and Adam’s were replaced by Aribo, Djenepo and Mara. Haunstrup crossed for the home side for Ironside to flick onto the unmarked Lankester but he was crowded out.
A welcome debut for Fey Okenabirhie who replaced Lankester with Edwards and Ballard replacing Diallo and Payne for Southampton. The U’s huffed and puffed but Ballard fired into the roof of the net late on after his initial shot had been saved again by the busy Mannion, that made it 0-3. There was no way back now and referee Rock blew his whistle for the end of the game. The better team had won but the U’s kept at it throughout and as manager Mark Bonner said after, there was lots to admire and learn. Saturday against Burton Albion awaits.
Richard Stephen