By Ollie Slack - writer for YABA
Cambridge United defeated local rivals Stevenage 2-0 after a brace from Barry Corr secured all three points. It's the U's first away win since February, but what have we learnt from the fixture?
After frustrating Stevenage in the first half, Cambridge upped the tempo in the second. Against tired opponents, the U's had the ammunition on the bench to capitalize.
Much to the delight of the travelling faithful, Barry Corr entered the pitch in the 53rd minute. And moments later, with his first touch, he met George Maris' free-kick first to head past the stretched goalkeeper.
If the first goal was all about Corr, the second was a terrific team effort. Some Barcelona-like tiki-taka on the edge of the box set Halliday free in the Stevenage box. He squared the ball to Corr who tapped into an empty net to double the U's lead.
Joe Dunne's side had chances to extend the lead but the referee's whistle sounded to clinch all three points for Cambridge.
Barry Corr has still got what it takes
Many of the YABA would have been driving home after the game with tears streaming down their faces. No, they hadn't just woken up out of a dream and Derry was still manager, Barry Corr was interviewed by Doug Shulman on the radio.
Corr spoke about how he sore he currently feels after games, even short cameo appearances. This particularly disappointed Barry as he has always believed his fitness has given him a head start over defenders. The Irishman revealed he has only been training two days a week and is considering retiring at the end of the season.
Barry Corr can still be a prolific goalscorer at League Two level. However, the big question mark still hangs over his fitness. He has only played 36 league games for the club in three seasons. If fit, he will score goals. The striker proved that on Saturday, you don't lose that knack of being in the right place at the right time.
Cambridge will be considering contract extensions for next season currently. You may not find more natural goalscorers in the division than Corr, but will the U's dish out another year's wages for a player who may not make it until the end of the year?
Paul Lewis did his job very well and is a useful option
Perhaps a surprise inclusion in the starting XI on Saturday was Paul Lewis. The midfielder had only made two starts before this weekends fixture, but the former-Macclesfield lad did his job very well.
The tactic was clear from the start. Starting to the right of Gary Deegan in central midfield, Lewis pulled wide on a number of occasions when Cambridge were looking to go direct. Either when Forde or the centre-halves had the ball Lewis pulled wide so he could run inwards and attack the ball.With quicker players like Billy Waters, Medy Elito and Jevani Brown lingering around for the knock-downs, or running in behind to chase the ball.
This caused the Stevenage defence quite a few problems. The U's had their best chances when the ball fell to the likes of Maris or Brown in the central areas.
Lewis proved yesterday you don't have to curl a worldy into the top corner like Maris or Brown to get into the team. He is a squad player who can be brought in to do a job. And on Saturday he did that job very well.
Billy Waters is the perfect away day player
The Northampton loanee Billy Waters has struggled to find the net so far in a amber and black shirt (1 goal in 13 games). However, no one can ever question his work-rate and desire. This was no different against Stevenage.
Isolated throughout the match, especially the first half, Waters was seen constantly harrowing the Boro backline. He was searching for scraps, anything he could latch onto. But he also forced their defenders into a number of mistakes. As well as this his hold up play on the break was exceptional.
In the second half, with Corr alongside him, Waters showed his class on the ball. After running the channels in behind, Waters then kept the ball well with his new strike partner and the other central midfielders.
The forward may not have scored, squandering the best chance of the match apart from the goals, but the travelling fans showed their support after he kept in a hopeful ball in the corner. Super Bill rang out and a rapturous round of applause.
Maris and Deegan continue to flourish in the centre of the park
Cambridge United were crying out for creativity when Luke Berry left in August. It's taken six months to unlock but thanks to George Maris in a deeper central midfield position, the U's are now creating chances.This wouldn't be possible without the solidarity Gary Deegan provides too. Deegan gives Maris a foundation to build on. 'You go an create whilst I keep it tight'. This has also allowed George Maris to add goals to his games. His late arrivals into the box, Frank Lampard-esque have highlighted their improvement further.
Despite not impacting the game yesterday on the scoresheet, Maris and Deegan showed great maturity in the midfield in the second half. With the Cambridge having lots of spells of possession pinning Stevenage in, it would have been easy to try and force a pass through to create a chance. But both took their time and played through the Boro defence when the time came. Emphasised clearest in the build-up to the second goal.
Joe Dunne has created a great team spirit and togetherness amongst the group
The scenes after the referee sounded the final whistle on Saturday were immense. Barry Corr's name was thankfully drowning out the awful circus music from across the road.
But what caught my eye most, was the togetherness and genuine delight for each other after the victory. Joe Dunne and Gary Deegan embraced each other, jesting about the tiki-taka second goal. Deegan continued to walk closer to the amber army singing along to the Barry Corr chant. He then turned and embraced partner in crime George Maris.
Further to the right of the pitch, the defenders who had earned their first clean sheet in eight games patted hands before slapping each other's backs. The satisfaction continued until all of their heads disappeared under the pull-out tunnel roof.
A further tweet by Jevani Brown confirms the good spirits shown at the Lamex. 15 players, discluding the mystery photo snapper, huddled around one another with grins from ear to ear. And even if Joe Dunne does not get the job fulltime, he will pass on a much more vibrant baton.
Photos provided and taken by Simon Lankester
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