Cambridge United 2-1 Morecambe
Sky Bet League One
The Abbey Stadium
Saturday 9 April 2022
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Attendance: 5,813 (217 Shrimps)
A goal apiece from Sam Smith and Joe Ironside either side of a Cole Stockton worldie gave the home side all three points at the Abbey Stadium.
Trevor Carson picked up where he left off on Tuesday night with two stunning saves in the early stages of this one, firstly saving from Smith just outside the six-yard box before making a world-class one-on-one save to deny Joe Ironside.
The Shrimps then had two chances of their own, a cross from the right by Dylan Connolly found Stockton in the box, his goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by the retreating Liam Bennett.
Before the ball dropped to Arthur Gnahoua, who had his shot saved at point blank range by Dimitar Mitov.
On the 30th minute mark, it was Morecambe again who came close to troubling the scoreline, a delightful cross-field ball by Liam Gibson found Adam Phillips in the box, but the on-loan Burnley man could only find the midriff of goalkeeper Mitov.
But two minute before the break, the U’s broke the deadlock.
An effort from just outside the box from Harvey Knibbs was blocked well by the Shrimps’ back-line but the ball rebounded perfectly for Smith to fire past Carson from close range.
Half-time: Cambridge United 1-0 Morecambe
Derek Adams’ side came close to an equaliser just before the hour mark, a ball back to ‘keeper Mitov found him, he took too long to clear and had the ball nicked off him by Phillips but the ball could not drop the right side of the post for the Shrimps.
It was the away side again who were on the front foot, a ball through to Stockton by Phillips found the forward man in space, he took a touch out of his feet before pulling the trigger but again Mitov was there rot make the save.
On the 68th minute the Shrimps make the breakthrough they were after, a ball up field was initially cleared by the U’s backline but Stockton tried the unthinkable and took it on the volley from 30-yards out, beating Mitov who was back-tracking to score another stunning goal to add to his collection.
Three minutes later, the home side regained their lead. A through ball from Jack Iredale looking for the run of Knibbs in the box, he went down under a supposed challenge from Greg Leigh and referee Carl Boyeson was quick to award the spot-kick.
Up steeped Ironside who struck the penalty down the middle to hand the home side the lead once again.
As the final whistle approached, the \shrimps had one more chance to leave the Abbey with a point, another spectacular Stockton effort was this time tipped over the crossbar by Mitov.
Full-time: Cambridge United 2-1 Morecambe
Cambridge United: Mitov, Iredale (Dunk 81’), Digby (C), Jones, Brophy (Hoolahan 64’), Ironside, Smith, Simper, Sherring (Okedina 72’), Knibbs, Bennett.
Subs not used: Mannion,, Tracey, May, Lankester.
Goals: Smith 43’, Ironside 71’ (P).
Bookings: None.
Red cards: None.
Morecambe: Carson, Leigh, Bedeau, Stockton, Wildig (C) (Obika 81’), Connolly, Phillips, Gibson, Gnahoua (Ayunga 67’), Fane, Bennett (McLoughlin 81’).
Subs not used: Smith, Diagouraga, Mensah, Cooney,
Goals: Stockton 68’.
Bookings: Fane 50’.
Red cards: None.