U’s Climb off Bottom of League One with Convincing Win Against Wigan 

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A loyal crowd of exactly 7,000 at the Abbey Stadium were rewarded on Saturday as Cambridge recorded their first win of the season – in fact, their first win since April, also against Wigan – and climbed off the bottom of the League One table. 

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In the absence of manager Garry Monk, serving a touchline ban he described as “farcical”, the U’s began in a traditional 4-4-2 shape, a change from the back 5 employed by Monk so far this season. 

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Pressing high up the pitch early on, Cambridge started much more energetically than their opponents, with Dan Nlundulu winning the ball on the edge of the Wigan box but failing to get a shot away. More pressure from Nlundulu’s strike partner, Ryan Loft, won the ball on the left and after smart a smart layoff from Kachunga, Nlundulu’s scuffed strike took a wicked deflection off the Cambridge number 10 and into the gaping Wigan net. 

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Coming into the game, Wigan held the league high for clean sheets (seven), including five in their last five, but their defence looked rattled against the Cambridge front four, who hassled and harried them all day. Although it might have been natural for the U’s to sit back after taking the lead, with the team surely struggling for confidence, they continued to press for a second - only a point blank save from Sam Tickle in the Latics goal preventing Okedine from adding another. 

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However, the reprieve did not last long after Wigan gave Korey Smith too much space on the edge of the area, his shot rebounding off the post and in off the back of the diving keeper to make it 2-0 and ignite the Abbey crowd. 

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Chants of ‘Can we play you every week?’ now coming from the Newmarket Road End, Wigan slowly began to grow into the game, forcing Reyes into saving from distance before putting a free kick just wide of his right-hand post. However, it was Kachunga who had the best chance to add to the scoreline in first half injury time. After more pressing from the U’s, he was presented with a glorious chance unchallenged on the edge of the box, which he needlessly rushed, shooting straight at the Wigan ‘keeper. 

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Wigan’s triple substitution at half time was indicative of a performance that belied their unbeaten run, but their listlessness both in and out of possession continued into their second half. Modern day coaches often favour possession-based football but Wigan had neither the quality nor the movement to be effective in this, and failed to cause any real concerns for much of the game.  

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In fact, it was Cambridge who had the best chance of the half on 70 minutes. Okedina hit the crossbar with a header which would’ve otherwise seen the North Terrace dissolving into ecstasy.  

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Few chances came late in the game, as Cambridge were effective in managing play. Referee Ruebyn Ricardo was also keen to assert himself on the proceedings with 7 yellow cards issued, 5 of which went to the U’s. 

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After two weeks of uninterrupted training, victory here was essential to allay growing concerns about Monk’s position and the three points were fully deserved. With the bite and intensity shown against Wigan, the U’s should be optimistic about their survival chances – but that presupposes they are able to replicate this performance heading into another huge game away at Burton on Tuesday, something they have been unable to do thus far. 

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Cambridge 2-0 Wigan Player Ratings: 

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Goals: Kachunga 5 (assisted Nlundulu); OG (Tickle) 22 (assisted Smith) 

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Cambridge: Reyes 7, Bennett 7, Morrison 6, Okedina 7, Andrew 6, Kachunga 7 (Cousins 89 -), Digby 6, Smith 7, Brophy 7 (Gibbons 81 - ), Loft 7 (Njoku 63, 6), Nlundulu 8 (Kaikai 81, - ) 

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Wigan: Tickle 5, Ramsay 5 (Miller 46, 6), Aimson 6, Kerr 5, Carragher 5 (Stones 46, 4), M Smith 6 (Francois 63, 5), Thomas 5, Weir 5 (Aasgard 20, 5), S Smith 4, Olakigbe 5 (Rankine 46, 6), Taylor 5 

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PotM: Dan Nlundulu – effective in hold up play and led a strong Cambridge press from the front, earning a standing ovation from the Abbey faithful when substituted. 

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Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo 6 – felt overzealous at times but got no major decisions incorrect, which at this level is better than some.