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Cambridge United six points from Sky Bet League One safety following home defeat to Charlton Athletic at the Abbey Stadium




The gap to Sky Bet League One safety stretched to six points after Cambridge United slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Charlton Athletic this afternoon.

All of the damage was done during a lacklustre first half at the Abbey Stadium. From the moment that Miles Leaburn put visiting Charlton into a 14th-minute lead, United looked bereft of any confidence.

The Addicks struck again before break but it was a much different home team that reappeared after the restart, one that began to win the ball higher up the pitch and ask questions of a previously untroubled defence. However, it was a case of too little too late as second-from-bottom United saw their alarming run of form stretch to just two wins from their previous 21 league outings, during which time they have scored only 10 goals.

Cambridge United forward Joe Ironside in action against Charlton Athletic on March 18, 2023. Picture: Izzy Poles
Cambridge United forward Joe Ironside in action against Charlton Athletic on March 18, 2023. Picture: Izzy Poles

The visitors’ opener came from the game’s first meaningful chance. The United defence appealed for offside against Jesurun Rak-Sakyi as he raced on to Sean Clare’s lofted pass down the right flank, but the flag was not forthcoming. Rak-Sakyi was not hanging around either, darting into the box and then drilling in a low cross which presented Leaburn with a tap-in from six yards out.

Crystal Palace loanee Rak-Sakyi caused United problems all afternoon and he was next to try his luck in the 18th minute but his header from Albie Morgan’s right-wing free kick drifted off target.

However, there was nothing wrong with the attacker’s radar 10 minutes later when his simple near-post run was found by Morgan’s delivery and he swept the ball inside Dimitar Mitov’s left upright.

Cambridge United players protest against Charlton Athletic's opening goal on March 18, 2023. Picture: Izzy Poles
Cambridge United players protest against Charlton Athletic's opening goal on March 18, 2023. Picture: Izzy Poles

United, in contrast, offered little to no threat as an attacking force. In fact, the closest they came during the first half to troubling the scoreline came in stoppage time when Charlton defender Michael Hector’s wild clearance flew into the side netting.

Head coach Mark Bonner rang the changes during the break, bringing on Shilow Tracey, Ben Worman and Steve Seddon in place of Sam Smith, Harvey Knibbs and Michael Morrison. It meant a switch from a three-man defence to a back four and it did at least give United a bit more control.

In the 52nd minute after James Brophy and Jack Lankester had passed up opportunities to shoot, Ben Worman pulled the trigger from 20 yards, but Ashley Maynard-Brewer saw it all the way and made a comfortable stop.

There was more strenuous work for the Charlton goalkeeper four minutes later when Ryan Bennett rose highest to meet Lankester’s corner from the left, but Maynard-Brewer got down well to make the stop.

Cambridge United wing-back James Brophy in action against Charlton Athletic on March 18, 2023. Picture: Izzy Poles
Cambridge United wing-back James Brophy in action against Charlton Athletic on March 18, 2023. Picture: Izzy Poles

In the 65th minute some patient build up play ended with Worman on the right and his inswinging cross found Joe Ironside at the back post, yet on the stretch the centre-forward was unable to guide his header towards goal.

They continued to probe and eventually made it count in the 72nd minute. Lankester’s outswinging corner was flicked towards the back post by Ryan Bennett for a stretching Lloyd Jones, who managed to guide his volley beyond Maynard-Brewer.

The goal breathed extra life into United as Tracey was twice denied by last-ditch blocks while Ironside headed over from another dangerous Lankester corner.

But then Charlton did an effective job of halting the Cambridge charge. They slowed the game down and started to keep better possession of the ball. It also seemed to deflate United, who despite showing plenty of endeavour, never really looked like scoring an equalising goal in the closing stages.

Cambridge United: Mitov, Morrison (Seddon 46’), R Bennett, Jones, L Bennett, Brophy (Williams 89’), Digby, Lankester, Knibbs (Worman 46’), Smith (Tracey 46’), Ironside

Charlton Athletic: Maynard-Brewer, Thomas, Hector, Inniss, Clare, Dobson, Fraser, Morgan (Kilkenny 73’), Leaburn (Kanu 46’), Campbell (Payne 79’), Rak-Sakyi (Bonne 90’)

Attendance: 7,068



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