DULL LEAGUE ONE CLASH LEAVES CAMBRIDGE SEVEN POINTS FROM SAFETY
A rather uneventful Sky Bet League One clash at the Cledara Abbey Stadium saw just 4 shots on target, all of which for Stevenage after the break, condemn Cambridge United to a 1-0 defeat.
Alex Revell's side registered the first meaningful shot on target on 50 minutes in a game that miraculously didn't drag by, while Jamie Reid struck the winning goal on 64 minutes.
Just shy of 6,500 witnessed arguably the dullest games of their lives, which saw Neil Harris' Cambridge only register a shot off target throughout the duration of the 90 minutes, plus 2 & 4 additional minutes at the end of the two halves.
The result was Stevenage's second win in their last 3 matches as well as their previous 6 League One matches - following a a draw and 3 defeats, also ending Cambridge's two match winning run, inflicting a third defeat in Neil Harris' side's last 6 outings.
The Boro, backed by 739 visiting supporters, did have the better chances, on the fleeting occasions either side created much of note, although Cambridge will feel hard done by not to have picked up a point - more so with Bristol Rovers and Peterborough United both drawing their respective two matches 0-0.
Four yellow cards, two in each half, was one of the more interesting moments - such was the lack of real clear cut chances.
Stevenage did start the game fairly brightly, as a right wing dangerous cross was beaten away well by Bishop in the eight minute before Dan Sweeney was the first to be cautioned for a foul on Stevenson out on the right wing.
Ryan Loft was then booked for a foul on 41 minutes, while Stevenage saw a shot, albeit offside, comfortably scooped up by Nathan Bishop two minutes later.
On the stroke of stoppage time, Stevenage registered the first shot on target - although tame - as a shot looped over a packed penalty area was routinely held by Bishop.
The second half saw a few more clear cut chances, while Cambridge failed to register a single shot on Murphy Cooper's goal. At the other end, Boro went close twice within a minute. After Jordan Roberts' low effort across to the bottom far, right-hand, corner was well held by the diving and impressive Nathan Bishop, Jamie Reid's cutback found Brandon Hanlan free on the right-hand side whose shot cannoned back into play off the post.
Jordan Roberts shot just wide from an Eli King corner to the far post just before the hour mark, while Alex Revell's side scored the decisive match winner on 64 minutes.
Eli King found Jamie Reid who weaved smartly onto the right-hand edge of the box to curl a venomous strike into the corner.
On the balance of chances created, it could be argued that the visitors had created the better opportunities, however the small number of clear cut chances for either side will no doubt be of concern to both teams - especially United, having ended up on the losing end.
Stevenage went close to adding a second goal on 70 minutes, but for Bishop to brilliantly dive down to his bottom left-hand corner and tip Eli King's shot from inside the box behind for a corner. The resulting set-piece was met by Carl Piergianni whose tight angled header went just over.
At the other end, the U's arguably should've capitalised with a equaliser on 79 minutes. A great surging run and right wing cross from Josh Stokes, on loan from Bristol City, picked out Elias Kachunga at the far post who just failed to connect with the ball at close range.
In response, Stevenage broke on the counter with goalscorer Reid finding Roberts on the right-hand edge of the box whose low shot was smothered just wide well by Bishop at his bottom far corner.
Both Dan Phillips (82') and Ben Stevenson (89') received bookings for fouls on each other, ahead of four minutes of stoppage time being announced.
Both sides could've scored their crucial chances, with Liam Bennett's low right wing cross somehow not converted in the centre in the 91st minute.
Harvey White meanwhile exploited acres of space to fire a shot over the top right-hand corner, when he should've hit the target a minute later, before Brandon Hanlan missed a golden opportunity on 93 minutes.
The forward was released racing one on one through the U's half but instead with the goal gaping shot wide into the bottom right-hand side-netting.
Stevenage sit eleventh (47 points, 11 points off sixth placed Huddersfield Town in the play offs, equally 14 points clear of 21st Burton Albion in the relegation zone) while Cambridge are seven points (29 points) from safety behind Bristol Rovers in 22nd.
United travel to Wigan Athletic (15th, 40 points) on Saturday, meanwhile Stevenage host Mansfield Town (16th, 40 points both 3pm).
Cambridge United:- 13 Nathan Bishop, 2 Liam Bennett, 5 Michael Morrison (c), 6 Kelland Watts, 15 Jubril Okedina (68' Ballard), 10 Elias Kachunga (82' Barton), 28 Ben Stevenson, 4 Paul Digby, 7 James Brophy, 22 Josh Stokes, 18 Ryan Loft (HT' Nlundulu). Subs: 1 Jack Stevens, 9 Dan Nlundulu, 29 Dom Ballard, 34 Brandon Njoku, 36 Dan Barton, 38 George Hoddle, 45 Emmanuel Longelo.
My Cambridge United MOTM: 13 Nathan Bishop. Booked: Ryan Loft (41'), Ben Stephenson (89'). Head Coach: Neil Harris.
Stevenage:- 13 Murphy Cooper, 7 Nick Freeman, 6 Dan Sweeney, 5 Carl Piergianni (c), 3 Dan Butler, 26 Eli King (80' White), 23 Louis Thompson, 22 Dan Phillips, 19 Jamie Reid (90'+3' Young), 27 Brandon Hanlan, 11 Jordan Roberts. Subs: 1 Taye Ashby-Hammond, 16 Lewis Freestone, 15 Charlie Goode, 30 Jake Young, 18 Harvey White, 10 Dan Kemp, 29 Kyle Edwards. Booked: Dan Sweeney (8'), Dan Phillips (83'). My Stevenage MOTM: 19 Jamie Reid. Manager: Alex Revell.
Referee: Scott Jackson.
Goal: Jamie Reid (64').
Att 6,338 (739 Stevenage)
Stats:
Possession: 51.1% v 48.9
Total Shots: 1-9
On Target: 0-4
Goals: 0-1
Off Target: 1-4
Blocked: 0-1
Passing: 57.4% v 62.5
Big Chances: 1-1
Corners: 4-6
Offsides: 1-3
Fouls Committed: 11-13
Fouls Won: 13-11
Yellow Cards: 2-2
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