Cambridge United v Wycombe Wanderers

Cambridge United
Cambridge United’s
development side
were crowned the
champions of the
2021/22 Cambridgeshire
Invitational Cup with an
impressive 2-1 victory
over Ely City at the
Abbey Stadium.
In a repeat of the 2018 final, the
talented young U’s crop would
fancy their chances of bringing
some silverware to CB5 after
late showings helped them
dispatch Soham Town Rangers
1-3 and Cambridge City 2-4 in
the previous rounds. The visitors
- who were languishing in 12th in
the Thurlow Nunn Premier
Division - were seen as real
specialists in this competition,
appearing in six of the past nine
finals and aiming for a third
successive triumph.
United showcased immense
energy and a threat on the counter
attack during the early goings and
broke the deadlock. A pinpoint
pass from Yearn released Akanbi
down the left who picked his
spot and showed real assurance
in delicately drilling past an
onrushing Reynolds.
The visitors’ response was a strong
one. On the 22nd minute, a loose
clearance fell to Taylor Hastings
from outside of the box who
connected superbly by unleashing
a volley which darted a couple of
inches over the crossbar.
The sides were level after
30 minutes when a long throw
was cleared towards Walter
who timed his volley to perfection
by thundering past a helpless
Louis Chadwick from 20 yards
to spark euphoria amongst the
travelling contingent.
As the first period drew to a close,
it was the U’s who enjoyed the
flurry of chances. On 35, excellent
link-up play from Yearn and Akanbi
resulted in the goalscorer planting
an attempt towards the top corner
which Reynolds pawed away from
danger.
The shot-stopper was called into
action again moments later when
Dan Barton played Yearn in from
12 yards. The youngest scorer in
the U’s history looked for the near
post but was denied by the legs
of Reynolds. It concluded a tight
first half with both sides satisfied
with their work rate but perhaps
aggrieved not to have capitalised
on dominant spells.
Ten minutes after the break, the
hosts were scratching their heads
wondering how they were still
level. A jinking run from Glenn
McConnell freed up Barton who
beat his man and fired at Akanbi
who pulled the trigger twice which
captain Tom Williams astutely
denied both times.
The gas had been turned on for
some time, with the resistance
finally broken on the 71st minute
when the young U’s took the
lead once more. Yearn provided
the magic by picking out the top
corner with an audacious curler
into the top corner which Reynolds
could only watch.
A third almost looked inevitable.
Gill’s men should have been
home and dry on 75 when livewire
Akanbi sent in a low cross to
McConnell who fired over the bar
from 12 yards.
City had chances to force extratime
as the game reached its
dying embers. Gibbs raced into
the six-yard box and played a
fizzed ball towards substitute
Jordan Foster on 80 but he
couldn’t tuck home from a
scramble as it hit the post and the
U’s survived.
Ultimately, the damage was done.
For the first time since 1957,
Cambridge United got their hands
on the county trophy. A night to
remember and one which will no
doubt them in good stead for their
future endeavours in the game.
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