Cambridge United make Carabao Cup exit at Newport County
Cambridge United’s winning start to the 2020/21 season was brought to an end at Newport County in the second round of the Carabao Cup last night.
The trip to South Wales was always going to be challenging, but Mark Bonner’s side had won their previous three matches – against Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup, Fulham under-21s in the EFL Trophy and Carlisle United in the first Sky Bet League Two game of the campaign.
The U’s have not got the best of records against Newport County, having only won one of the past eight matches between the sides.
Head coach Bonner made six changes to the team that beat Carlisle last Saturday, but there was nothing to separate the sides at half time at Rodney Parade.
And it was not until the 80th minute that the deadlock was broken, Scott Twine rifling a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box for the first goal the U’s have conceded this season.
Minutes later, Adam May almost equalised for United, but he put a half-volley wide from inside the area.
There was no way back for the U’s though, and it may be said that it is now becoming a hoodoo against Newport, with a seventh defeat in nine meetings.
United will be looking to get back to winnings ways on Saturday (September 19), when they make the trip to Morecambe.
And a repeat of the performance against Carlisle, when Luke Hannant, Paul Mullin and Joe Ironside were on target in the 3-0 win, would stand them in good stead.
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