Wycombe 2-3 U's: Dark Arts
That's how you bloody do it, isn't it? Out-Wycombe-ing Wycombe on their home turf with a lesson in game management that will be studied for years to come. The Amber shorts probably helped too...
But to focus purely on the timewasting and shithousery would take away from what was actually a really good team performance, maybe one of the best examples of the togetherness in this squad we've seen under Bonner.
United got off to the best possible start, with Joe Ironside winning a header and nodding it into the path of Harvey Knibbs. Knibbs raced through, beat two men to the ball and lashed beyond the keeper with barely seven minutes on the clock.
Wycombe fought back almost instantly, with Sam Vokes heading past Mannion, but everyone in the ground could see he'd pushed over George Williams in the process, and the goal was rightfully chalked off. Wycombe pushed hard for an equaliser, and tried everything in their playbook to break United down, but to a man we stood strong and matched them physically and mentally, with just a little bit of help from Will Mannion's goalpost.
The Chairboys eventually got their equaliser, Vokes again with a header from a corner, before controversy struck once again, a penalty appeal waved away as United instantly took the ball up the other end of the pitch, Jack Lankester lashing it in on the stroke of half time.
So far, so good, although it's worth noting that Lankesters appearance came courtesy of an injury to Fejiri Okenabirhie which we hope isn't too serious.
The second half saw United in top gear, again soaking up Wycombe's attacks, whilst creating plenty of chances themselves. It was our turn to score from a corner now, on 77 minutes Lewis Simper's floated effort reaching an unmarked Lloyd Jones at the back post to tap it in to the net.
Wycombe were showing their frustrations at this point - frustrations in being worked out, and out played by a better side. A few nasty moments occurred when Wycombe players tried to lift injured Cambridge players back to their feet, luckily our discipline saved anything from erupting. Their frustrations were also aimed at the ref, who hadn't given them much in all honesty, and Will Mannion, who eventually earned a yellow card for timewasting towards the end of the game.
There was still time for a scary ending though, as in the fifth minute of seven of injury time Wing pulled one back, but United held on to see out the game for a much needed three points.
So, lessons from this game? 1) If you're daft enough to think Bonner has lost the dressing room, or isn't the right man for this club then keep your opinions to yourself in future. We'll have tough spells again, as much as we've had them in the past, but Bonner is absolutely the man to lead this club and we don't want to have to be having this conversation again. 2) Lewis Simper. Starts every game from now on. 3) We're nowhere near as bad as people make out. There's not many tougher places to go and get a result than Adams Park, and to go there and score three goals is the mark of a decent team, whatever the form book is saying. 4) Amber Shorts. Wear them every game from now on. They look class, and GUARANTEE results.
Man of The Match: You could pick almost any of them to be honest, Will Mannion made some decent stops and executed the game plan perfectly (invoice us for the fine for the yellow card if you want, Will), Jack Lankester and Harvey Knibbs were a creative force to be reckoned with, and Lewis Simper the midfield engine we've been after for a while. The award goes to Joe Ironside though, back to his best and unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself.
Soundtrack of the Match: Kings of Tomorrow - Finally