Cambridge 1-2 Sunderland: Match Report and Player Ratings
Goals from Alex Pritchard and Nathan Broadhead secured an important win for Sunderland in terrible conditions.
Pritchard gave Sunderland the lead scoring directly from a corner after just 15 minutes.
Cambridge struck back 10 minutes later with Sam Smith drilling a low effort into the near post of Hoffmann’s goal.
Nathan Broadhead scored Sunderland’s second with a 25 yard screamer in the first half which turned out to be the decisive goal.
Team news
Hoffmann, Gooch, Wright, Flanagan, Doyle, Neil, Winchester, Dajaku, Pritchard, Broadhead, Stewart
Report
Both sides started the game well with both looking to get forward but it was Sunderland that took the lead in the opening 15 minutes.
Pricthard’s corner was whipped towards the back post and ended up crashing off the post and into the back of the net to make it 0-1.
Ten minutes later, Cambridge equalised. Sunderland’s defence standing and watching as Sam Smith drilled the ball into the near post to draw the game level.
Ross Stewart had a solo effort saved just minutes later seeing a long range shot saved at the near post with somewhat ease.
Sunderland did re take the lead and Broadhead opened his account for the league with a screamer. He turned onto his left from 25 yards out and drilled the ball into the top corner to make it 1-2.
Sunderland had the lead at half time.
Cambridge had the first real chance of the second half with Hoolahan delivering from a free kick and Hoffmann had to be aware to save a close range header and punch the rebound out of play.
Cambridge continued to push for an equaliser and had the advantage with the winds becoming stronger and stronger.
Pritchard was replaced by Harris with 10 minutes to go with Sunderland holding on to a one goal lead.
Sunderland were able to ‘weather the storm’ and see the game out and secure all three points.
Player Ratings
Hoffmann 6- Had little to do in the first half but made some important stops in the second.
Gooch 7- Got us up the pitch well and looked more of a threat from a deeper position.
Wright 7- Solid defensively and was largely untroubled for majority of the game.
Flanagan 7- See above
Doyle 7- Defended well and got forward well in an slightly more unfamiliar position.
Neil 6- Some neat passing and contributed defensively.
Winchester 7- Controlled the midfield in all areas of the pitch.
Dajaku 5- Never really looked a threat and decision making was poor.
Pritchard 7- Got himself another goal arguably thanks to the wind but played well throughout. Some tidy passages of play and looked a threat in front of goal.
Broadhead 8- Strike for his goal was outstanding and was a threat for Sunderland all day. Link up play was good and could have had one or two on a different day.
Stewart 6- Not the best day for him today. Had a few half chances that he didn’t take in front of goal. Hold up play and work rate as as good as usual.
Subs
Harris
