Cambridge United secured a 2-1 victory over Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, a result that keeps their unbeaten streak alive and confirms top spot in their group. Goals from Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and Gassan Ahadme sealed the win at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.
Neil Harris made five changes to his side, handing first starts of the campaign to George Hoddle and the returning Patrick Bauer. Sullay Kaikai and Ra’ees Bangura-Williams were also back from international duty with Sierra Leone. The hosts started brightly, with Bangura-Williams forcing a save from Zach Jeacock before the opening goal arrived.
Mpanzu broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, finishing coolly after Isaac Heath was played in by Zak Bradshaw's clever over-the-top pass. Northampton responded early in the second half, with Matty Warhurst heading home a cross from Josh Powell six minutes after the restart to level the score.
The tie turned again just past the hour mark. Ahadme was wrestled to the floor inside the box, earning a penalty that referee Aaron Farmer pointed to the spot. The striker picked himself up and converted the kick in the 62nd minute to restore Cambridge's lead.
Harris introduced Dom Ball, Ben Knight and Shayne Lavery from the bench to see out the game. Knight had a late shot saved and Lavery drilled an effort just wide of the far post as United searched for a third. The visitors finished with ten men after Connor Lemonheigh-Evans was sent off in stoppage time for a second bookable offence.
"The onus was on the hosts to all but secure their passage to the knockouts," said manager Neil Harris after the match. The win extends Cambridge's unbeaten run in all competitions to six matches, a sequence that includes their solid League One form where they sit sixth with 13 points from eight games. The full squad list for that League One clash is available on our squad page.
Cambridge United finished the game with 53% possession and limited Northampton to just three shots on target. The result gives them a perfect six points from their two group matches in the competition, following an earlier 4-1 win at Gillingham. Their attention now turns to Saturday's League One fixture against 15th-placed Blackpool at the Abbey Stadium.
