A Tactical Triumph

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 21/04/2026

THE reaction of the players and supporters, myself included, on Saturday after the impressive win at Gillingham, was as if we'd just won the league. We haven't, but it was great to see the players in particular, celebrating the win and the belief that came with it.

A tight turnaround and trip to in-form Cambridge was going to put this self-belief to the test. I watched their game at Bromley on TV two days earlier and they showed strength in all areas. Tonight's game in hand had the potential to further the ambitions of both teams without being "make or break".

I mentioned Cambridge, where we used to live, to my wife. "Ah, TX Maxx" was her instinctive response. I explained that my thoughts were directed towards the Abbey Stadium. Football and retail - it's hard to think of anything else significant about Cambridge. Traffic jams and building work, maybe. It's all perception. For sure my wife wasn't thinking about Cambridge United's defensive qualities or their attacking threat, nor why they are third in the table.

Town began the game with: Smith - Rodgers, Kacurri, McJannet, Staunton - Turi - Amaluzor, Green, Walker, Kabia - Cook. Turi came in for Walker who was on the bench. Town wore their red and blue kit. 7,779 spectators were here tonight, with Town's fans as eve making lots of noise.

Town won an early corner after good work by Oduor and a cross by Staunton, however Staunton's corner was poor. Town then had a moment when a long throw found Mpanzu with a clear chance in Town's box after a mix-up in defence, but Mpanzu's shot was mistimed. Both sides showed intent in the early stages. On 7 minutes, a clearance by Smith found Kabia. His header ran onto Cook, who stormed forward but dragged his shot wide. Cambridge then had a spell of attacking. Kaikai went close with a flick from a Mayor cross. Amaluzor did well to steal the ball on the right. The ball came across to Green who hit a shot which former Mariner Eastwood did well to anticipate and save. Cambridge then attacked. Knight laid off to Appere. He supplied Kaikai, who ballooned his shot over, wasting a golden opportunity in the process. Cambridge's attacks were heavily based on Mayor's long throws. So far Town's defence were withstanding the threat well. Town launched an attack on 22 minutes which came back. With Oduor drawing the defender, Staunton cut inside and crossed perfectly to Green who headed home. Cambridge 0, Town 1. Town's defence was then called upon to close ranks, and did so as Watts attempted to squeeze the ball in after a Gibbons pass. A Mayor long throw almost resulted in a chance for Amaluzor as Oduor cleared long but Bennett just managed to deny him the ball. Another Mayor throw resulted in a clumsy attempt by Ball. Town were fighting and showing great energy, seeking to get forward at every opportunity. On 33 minutes Cambridge won a corner after another throw. Kaikai's corner was met by the head of Jobe. The flicked header bounced off the inside of the post. Kaikai won a free kick after a tussle with Kacurri in the left corner. 40 minutes had gone. Kacurri lost a battle in midfield. Mayor ran on and beat Rodgers on the left, crossing for Knight to tap home. Cambridge 1, Town 1. A Staunton cross was cleared. Cambridge broke out. Turi made the mistake of letting Kaikai run on unchallenged before resorting to tripping him and earning a yellow card. Cambridge were buoyed by their goal and attacked again. Oduor made a good interception. 3 minutes were added. At half time it remained: Cambridge 1, Town 1. It had been an action-packed half. Town had matched Cambridge's intensity and mostly dealt with their set pieces and running. In the early stages before Cambridge applied greater pressure, Town were getting the ball upfield quickly and capitalising on Kabia's headers, Staunton's crosses and Amaluzor's pace. It was difficult to see how Town or Cambridge could maintain this energy. Substitutions were going to be key as the game went on.

Town were out early for the second half. An Oduor error allowed Cambridge to progress towards goal. A Rodgers toe end cut out the threat. Cook had a chance at the other end but as in the first half dragged his shot. Town continued to press Cambridge and hurry them. A Mayor shot cleared the bar before Town conceded a corner. Kaikai's shot caught Rodgers in the face. Cambridge moved the ball quickly. Town launched an attack up the right. Amaluzor found Green. Kabia received the pass, turned and shot. The ball just cleared the bar. It was a good effort. Great pressing by Town led to an interception by Rodgers and a shot from Green which resulted in a corner on 55 minutes. As Town worked to break down the defence, Kabia committed a foul. Cambridge responded. A throw was flicked on to Appete who burst through under the challenge of Kacurri. The referee awarded a penalty and booked Kacurri for the challenge. Knight took it, aiming to place it to Smith's right. Smith anticipated the penalty and saved it with his foot. With 61 minutes gone Kabia was fouled when running through the middle but Ball went unpunished. The game was getting feisty. Staunton did extremely well to shield Knight after a good pass from Kaikai as Cambridge threatened again. Town needed to sustain some possession themselves and launch some attacks as the waves of pressure from Cambridge were becoming more constant. On 67 minutes Walker and Vernam came on for Turi and Green. A Ball error led to Town taking the initiative. Rodgers won a throw and then a corner with 71 minutes gone. Great determination resulted in Oduor shaking off Mayor and winning a corner following a shot. Vernam's inswinging corner found Cook's head but the ball went just wide. Town were going forward more now and easing the pressure on themselves, but there were signs of mistakes creeping in. A brilliant interception by Walker off Mayor led to a Town attack, but Cook couldn't gain control to finish off the chance. Amaluzor then shook off Gibbons, twisting and turning. His shot went inches wide. Cambridge stepped up the pressure again. McJannet cut out a threat from Brophy with an excellent tackle. Kacurri was penalised for a foul on Knight on 84 minutes. Kacurri cleared Brophy's cross. Smith then clattered into Rodgers and the game was stopped. Warren replaced Oduor on 88 minutes and immediately was in the action, cutting out a Brophy cross. Cambridge won a corner. Town were putting their bodies on the line. 8 minutes were added to the half. Kacurri was penalised for kicking Nevitt. Cambridge's Smith was dispossessed. Amaluzor raced away. Cook was pushed too wide to have a chance but still won a corner. Amaluzor won another. Vernam delivered the corner. The ball was half cleared. Walker played the ball back to Vernam. Kabia lifted the ball into the crowded box. The ball was headed backwards under pressure by a Cambridge defender into the path of McJannet who bundled the ball home. Cambridge 1, Town 2. 94 minutes had gone. Cambridge attacked in search of an equaliser. Kaikai shot. Cambridge had a corner. Keeper Eastwood went up. Smith punched the cross out. Town pushed up and won a free kick. Cambridge couldn't gain control. The game ended. Cambridge United 1, Grimsby Town 2. What a win.

This was the polar opposite of the Chesterfield game where we were like lost souls. We knew we would be up here against a team which moves the ball quickly and rely on passes and set pieces. We were prepared. In the early stages our defence withstood the assaults, and we got the ball upfield quickly where the ever-developing Kabia was imperious. Town's intensity and energy levels were unrelenting with Oduor and Green, and later Walker harrying the home side. Amaluzor provided pace and invention with Cook the physical threat as ever. Rodgers and Staunton defended staunchly and Staunton in particular was outstanding today with both his defensive and attacking work. McJannet was magnificent and it was justice that he should score the winner. Cambridge might complain that they were unlucky. They did hit the post and missed a penalty but it was telling that their long throw expert had to be replaced, as Head Coach Artell had clearly worked out what they were good at and dealt with it. Town had a wobbly spell in the second half as Cambridge stepped up the heat, but the belief that we could win the game was there, as we contained the home side's attacks and eventually took our opportunity. So after all this, we haven't secured anything but it's another step in the right direction. Roll on Saturday and the visit of Swindon.

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