|
Cambridge have struggled badly for goals this term but Terry Brown's men helped them on their way here by gifting them the first through a Ricky Newman own goal, and then playing so poorly that another was simply inevitable.
The U's front pairing of Marcus Richardson and Liam Marum caused the Shots' defence no end of problems with their pace and power and in reality the hosts could have won this match by more than just the two goals.
With new Cambridge boss Jimmy Quinn enjoying his first home game with the club, his opposite number left the ground in a far darker mood and will be greatly concerned by the lack of consistency his team have shown in recent weeks.
With his squad starting to pick up injuries, and key players suddenly losing their form, Brown admitted he may have to look at changing the team's system in a bid to get their season back on track.
“We looked very tired today and were never really at the races,” he said.
“Cambridge came out buzzing and thoroughly deserved to go a couple up. My statto man told me they had about eight shots on goal and we only had a few so that tells the story really.
“I changed things at half-time and we came out and caused a lot of problems for 20 to 25 minutes but then we ran out of ideas, ran out a steam and ran out of a bit of mental strength as well.
“I am very disappointed with the players and I told them that.
“I have no complaints today — the better side won. There wasn't an area in my team that I was happy with. The front two never held it up and I felt we were the fancy dan team, lots of tricks but not prepared to do the necessary graft.
“It's not enough to say it wasn't our night tonight. This game showed up some of the glaring deficiencies we've got and I've got to address that, either with the current personnel or some additional personnel.
“The side is too young in too many areas, which means they can be blinding one day and atrocious the next. There were fundamental problems in the side today and that became apparent early on.
“We need to look at the system and try to get the best out of the current crop of players.”
The most frustrating aspect of this display in many ways was the fact that despite being unchanged from their Tuesday night win at Grays, this didn't look like the same Shots side at all.
Disjointed, sluggish and unimaginative, the visitors were immediately on the back foot and, after just two minutes, Richardson could easily have given the U's the lead.
The lively Courtney Pitt played a great ball into left channel, where Richardson muscled his way goal side of Dave Winfield and motored into the box.
However, his left-footed effort from eight yards didn't have enough power and Nikki Bull was able to save it low down.
Roared on by their second largest crowd of the season, the hosts looked hungrier, fitter, and ultimately more dangerous, constantly probing at Brown's men in an effort to prise open the defence.
With 20 minutes gone Andy Edwards was forced to nick the ball off the head of Richardson after Tommy Jaszczun had swung in an inviting cross from the left flank, while seven minutes later Marum fired just over.
Just 60 seconds later though, the goal that was clearly coming finally arrived, albeit in the most farcical of circumstances.
Pitt tossed a high ball into the box from the left, which Winfield and Marum battled for as it bounced up dangerously but, before either could get a touch, Newman nipped in to try and head it out for a corner but only succeeded in planting it into the bottom right corner.
Advantage Cambridge.
Rather than force the Shots to up their game, the goal only served to instil further belief in the hosts, who came straight back looking to double their lead.
With 35 minutes on the clock, Marum turned Edwards just past the half way line but as he tore towards goal, the centre half tugged him back. The referee played the advantage and the striker broke into the box and hit a fierce drive, only to see it saved low down by Bull.
Three minutes later however, the home side finally hit the second goal they so richly deserved, Marum latching on to a long clearance from the back near the right channel before smashing home an powerful drive from 20 yards out.
With his side being comprehensively out muscled and out fought by Cambridge, Brown changed things at the break, bringing on Marcus Gayle for the strangely ineffectual John Grant, and replacing Louie Soares with Ben Harding.
For a while it seemed to work too, begging the question why did Gayle not start a match that was always likely to be a real physical battle?
Joel Grant had a weak effort saved low down by Paul Crichton within 60 seconds of the restart and nine minutes later he went closer still.
A long ball by Edwards was flicked on by Gayle right to the feet of Grant in the box, who turned his marker before hitting a stinging left footed shot that Crichton did well to palm away.
Briefly Aldershot threatened, with Gayle forcing Matthew Bloomer to desperately clear after the striker had played a great ball into the six yard box, but just as quickly the threat faded away once again.
With 66 minutes gone, the hosts were back on the offensive again, Jon Brady's drive from outside the area palmed away by Bull after good work by Richardson.
With 13 minutes remaining, Richardson came close too, spinning well in the box after a great run by Gash but he curled the ball just wide of the right post with the goal gaping.
Pitt then fired over in the 82nd minute as Quinn's side tried to put the game to bed, but in the end they had done more than enough to claim three valuable points.
For Aldershot though, concerns about consistency abound and while Saturday's results cushioned the blow of defeat, a great deal of work needs to be done to avoid a repeat of this frankly dismal performance.
With thanks to the Aldershot News.