The league leaders proved just too much for Braintree in the
Boxing Day clash, with a single goal all that could separate the two sides. A
Luke Donaldson strike early in the first half was enough to hand the promotion
hopefuls the victory, sealing a record twelve victories in their twelve home
games so far this term.
It was Dan Holman who failed to trouble the Cambridge keeper
early on, with his shot from a tight angle making a statement that the visitors
were there to pose a real test to the U’s record. Cunnington was also guilty of
failing to work the goalkeeper soon after at the other end as his header fell
comfortably into the hands of the Iron when he found himself unmarked eight yards
out.
But it was less than 20minutes before Cambridge were ahead
when Donaldson was allowed acres of space inside the Braintree half, and set
Luke Berry through on goal who placed a nice finish to Harmann’s side.
Two minutes later, the U’s appeals for a penalty were waived
way when Paine was seen to push Dunn in the back with the striker going down
inside the box, where the Iron started to really look rattled.
Davis had a chance heavily deflected out for a corner as he
found himself unmarked, looking to level the scoring midway through the first
half for the Iron. Some nice footwork by Dan Holman made space for himself to
really test Maxwell, who did well to parry the ball over the bar and maintain
the U’s clean sheet, which was looking more at risk as Braintree pushed on.
The Iron were guilty of allowing a Cambridge attack to be
played out unchallenged once again as the league leaders , but this time
Harmann got down well to smother Luke Donaldson’s attempt.
Cunnington’s elbow on Wells earned him a yellow card as the
U’s attempted to enter the break a goal to the good, which was quickly followed
up by another booking from referee Craig Hicks as Mulley was cautioned for his
late tackle on Donaldson.
Dean Wells will be disappointed not to have equalised when
the teams returned for the second half when he pulled away from his marker to
meet a corner played in along the floor, but could not keep his attempt down
and rifled one over the bar.
Cunnington’s elbows were again at the centre of controversy
just before the hour mark when Craig Hicks pulled back play, but an early
dismissal was escaped as the Braintree appeals were waved away for a challenge
that could have left the home side with ten men.
Taylor was able to shoot from 25yards out, but his shot was
dealt with by Harmann, who immediately had to deal with another test from
Cunnington to deny the U’s a further lead with just over quarter of an hour
left to play. Harmann was quick off his line again to prevent a strike from
Donalson who found himself one on one with the Iron ‘keeper thanks to a lovely
through ball from deep. As pressure mounted from the home side, Harmann dealt
with everything that was thrown at him proving his worth to Alan Devonshire
once more.
Cox could not test the goalkeeper with 10minutes left to
play with his header when he was left unchallenged in the Cambridge box, and
watched his unthreatening attempt sail over the crossbar. With just two minutes
remaining, the Iron’s stopper was called upon again when Sam-Yorke got his
header on target, but again Harmann dealt with it comfortably.
Cambridge United:
Maxwell, Miller, Taylor, Coulson, Tait, Donaldson (Sam-Yorke), Champion,
Arnold, Berry (Spillane), Dunk, Cunnington.
Unused Subs: Brown, Austin, Roberts
Braintree Town: Hamann, Wells, Paine, Massey, Habergam,
Isaac (Cox), Mulley (Daley), Davis, Marks, Holman (Sparkes), Peters
Unused Subs: Geohaghon, McDonald
Referee: Craig Hicks
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