Cambridge United demolished bottom club Shrewsbury Town 4-1 to end a run of five League One matches without a win.
The victory moves The U’s to within three points if escaping the drop zone.
Early Goal Sets The Tone
The hosts got off to the best possible start when Shayne Lavery was first to react when Shrewsbury’s keeper Toby Savin spilt an Elias Kachunga cross and tapped home.
It was two after half an hour and it was that man Lavery again. Gareth Ainsworth’s visitors created an opening for themselves but the hosts managed to hook the ball clear. After some neat hold-up play from Dan Nlundulu, Lavery found himself through on goal and his shot went through Savin’s legs.
Second Half, Same Story
After scoring in the first minute of the first half, The U’s added a third goal in the opening 60 seconds of the final 45.
Kell Watts crossed from the left for Nlundulu to challenge Savin. The keeper was unable to get a form lunch on the ball and it dropped for the striker to score from a few yards out.
It was then Nlundulu’s turn to become the provider. His left-sided cross was flicked on by Watts for the arriving Kachunga to nod home and make it four.
Shrewsbury did manage to get on the scoresheet with 20 minutes to go through a John Marquis penalty. Cambridge keeper Vicente Reyes suffered from a rush of blood as he came out and clattered into George Lloyd, leaving referee Alex Chilowicz no option but to point to the spot.
Ainsworth Reacts To Horror Defeat
Newly appointed Salop boss Ainsworth was left frustrated with the ease at which his side allowed The U’s to penetrate the defensive line.
“Defensively, I can see why the team is really struggling, because we were very poor in that department today.”
“Cambridge have not ripped us apart with football, it has been basic stuff. Three restarts of the game that we have not dealt with.”
“They are trying. If they are not good enough for the standard, then that is another issue, but they are trying.”
Writer’s View
If the size of the task wasn’t evident upon his appointment, yesterday’s result hammered home the difficulties facing Gareth Ainsworth and Shrewsbury Town.
For Cambridge, this is a huge win that keeps them in touch with those above them and sets up a potentially thrilling relegation scrap.
