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Cambridge United slip to single goal defeat at Derby County in Sky Bet League One encounter at Pride Park Stadium




A spirited Cambridge United had nothing to show for their efforts as they went down to a 1-0 defeat at Derby County this evening.

For large parts of the encounter United frustrated their play-off hunting hosts at the Pride Park Stadium, but ultimately they were undone by a fine piece of creative play from one of their former players in the 57th minute.

The opening 45 minutes were as professional as it gets from a United perspective. They defended from the front, hunted in packs, slowed the play down whenever the opportunity arose and largely restricted their hosts to efforts that were straightforward for Will Mannion between the posts.

Cambridge United midfielder Ben Worman in action against Derby County on December 30, 2022. Picture: Simon Lankester
Cambridge United midfielder Ben Worman in action against Derby County on December 30, 2022. Picture: Simon Lankester

His first work of the evening came in the 11th minute when David McGoldrick switched the ball out wide to the right from a central position for Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who drove at makeshift left-back James Brophy before crossing for Lewis Dobbin to clip his shot straight at the U’s goalkeeper.

Ten minutes later James Collins – the scorer of both of Derby’s goals during October’s 2-0 win at the Abbey – shot straight at Mannion from the edge of the box, while in the 30th minute the hosts’ best chance of breaking the deadlock in the first half was presented to Louie Sibley.

The lively Mendez-Laing was again the creator, this time from the left flank, where he whipped in a cross that an unmarked Sibley could only head straight into the hands of Mannion.

Cambridge United midfielder Jack Lankester in action against Derby County on December 30, 2022. Picture: Simon Lankester
Cambridge United midfielder Jack Lankester in action against Derby County on December 30, 2022. Picture: Simon Lankester

As for United, they were unable to truly trouble County goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith, although they did enjoy more than the odd venture into opposition territory – highlighted by the fact that they won three corners before the interval.

The visitors started the second half in a similarly organised fashion, but their resistance was eventually broken 12 minutes after the restart. A player with less pace would have struggled to catch up with Korey Smith’s pass down the line, but ex-United loanee Mendez- Laing not only had the legs to prevent the ball from going out of play, he also stood up a teasing cross which a rising Dobbin powered beyond Mannion with a downward header for his first goal of the campaign.

United reacted with a period of front foot football, twice getting themselves into good positions before the hour mark but Jack Lankester was crowded out on the first occasion before Harvey Knibbs took too long to sort out his feet and the shot was well blocked.

They continued to probe and carved out their first clear sight of goal in the 72nd minute when Sam Smith showed some quick feet on the edge of the box to create the space for a shot, but on his weaker right foot, the low effort was routine work for Wildsmith.

Cambridge United players pay tribute to Pele ahead of their Sky Bet League One game at Derby County on December 30, 2022. Picture: Simon Lankester
Cambridge United players pay tribute to Pele ahead of their Sky Bet League One game at Derby County on December 30, 2022. Picture: Simon Lankester

Up the other end Derby went close to ending any doubt over the outcome in the 82nd minute through Eiran Cashin, who after ghosting in to meet Sibley’s free kick from deep saw his volley cannon out for a throw off the post.

Meanwhile, United continued to keep Derby honest and in the 86th minute substitute Lewis Simper’s deep cross from the left was kept alive by George Williams, but his hook back into the danger zone was headed wide from 10 yards out by Knibbs.

And with that went 19th-placed United’s last opportunity of salvaging something from the contest, with attention now switching to Monday’s trip to another of the promotion hopefuls – Sheffield Wednesday.

Cambridge United: Mannion, Williams, Taylor, Okedina, Brophy, Digby, Worman (Simper 77’), Lankester (Ironside 74’), Knibbs, Tracey (Janneh 75’), Smith



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