Cambridge United pull off Sky Bet League great escape with victory over Forest Green Rovers
It was Sir Alex Ferguson that coined the phrase ‘Football, bloody hell’ after Manchester United’s dramatic Champions League victory back in 1999.
And while Cambridge United’s Sky Bet League One successful survival mission may not have been on such a grand stage, it is a saying that is fitting of the achievement. After all, at the start of April the U’s were seven points from safety with an inferior goal difference - the writing seemed to be very much on the wall.
But from nowhere Mark Bonner’s men dug deep and after winning 2-0 at home against already-relegated Forest Green Rovers on the final day of the season this afternoon, the failure of MK Dons and Morecambe to win at Burton Albion and Exeter City respectively confirmed the most unlikely of escapes.
It was clear from the outset that Cambridge were going to dominate the possession, with the visitors content to get everyone behind the ball and look to frustrate. Indeed, their gameplan was there for all to see when goalkeeper Ross Doohan had to be warned by referee Ben Toner about time wasting with less than 20 minutes played.
Yet it was a tactic that added to the nerves at the Abbey Stadium during the opening exchanges. Conor McGrandles curled one effort way off target and Harvey Knibbs lost his balance when well placed, but aside from that United struggled to create anything significant and it went some way to hushing the Abbey Stadium.
However, the home supporters burst into life in the 25th minute thanks to one of their favourites. Left-back Harrison Dunk had not scored since January 2022 but he took his tally to three goals in his previous six appearances by scrambling the ball over the line from McGrandles’ deep left-wing corner.
A sense of relief swept around the ground and it allowed United to free themselves of the shackles. And what a goal it was that made it 2-0 in the 37th minute. Jack Lankester’s looping pass forced the in-form Sam Smith out towards the angle of the six yard box and on his weaker right foot, but he unleashed a volley that flew across Doohn and in off the inside of the left-hand upright.
Within 60 seconds Rovers - who had offered very little prior - fired a warning shot when Dominic Bernard’s close-range header from Jamie Robson’s deep cross rattled the woodwork.
The second half was as much about events elsewhere as what was going on at the Abbey. Those housed in the Newmarket Road End led the way with cheers as news filtered through of Exeter City’s goals against Morecambe, while on the pitch in front of them Dunk had an effort deflected over and Lankester slammed a shot into the side netting after he broke into the box.
As the half wore on all eyes and ears were fixed on the Pirelli Stadium where MK Dons were peppering the home side’s penalty box. And they continued to do so after the final whistle was blown at Cambridge, but Burton held out for a 0-0 draw and Exeter’s 3-2 win over Morecambe confirmed it was job done by a single point.
Cambridge United: Mitov, Dunk, R Bennett, Morrison (Okenabirhie 30’), L Bennett, Digby, McGrandles, Lankester (Thomas 68’), Brophy, Knibbs, Smith
Forest Green Rovers: Doohan, Robson, Cooper (McKenzie 85’), Casey, Bernard (O’Keefe 59’), Brown (Peart Harris 59’), Bunker (Sanntola 85’), McGeough (Savage 68’), Garrick, O’Brien, Omotoye
Attendance: 7,493
