Cambridge United secured an emphatic 5-0 thumping of Gateshead to end the week with consecutive home wins.
Daryl Clare had missed an eighteenth minute penalty against his former side, Tim Deasy plunging to his right to make a save, but United were not to be denied for long. Nine minutes later Robbie Willmott's superb through ball set Danny Wright free and the striker buried his first time effort for his first home goal for the club, before Clare nodded his first goal for the club soon after half time.
A three goal burst in eight minutes gave the game the emphatic scoreline that the performance deserved, with Simon Russell, Brian Saah and sub Wayne Gray all netting from close range. The win is United's second of the season and second this week, giving them real confidence going into next week's clash at Luton Town.
Martin Ling made one change to the starting eleven that saw off Eastbourne on Monday, bringing Robbie Willmott into the side in place of the injured Adam Miller.
Despite fielding a 4-5-1 formation, the visitors had their fair share of the early stages as both sides won two corners in the opening five minutes. Clare forced a corner as his shot from just outside the penalty box was deflected wide.
Indeed it was the visitors who should have taken the lead in the sixth minute. Jon Shaw, who missed a penalty in the sixth minute of injury time for Mansfield on his last visit here, found himself with time and space from twelve yards before firing wide with only Simon Brown to beat. Danny Wright had a chance of his own moments later as his left footed drive was charged down.
After Josh Coulson headed straight at Tim Deasy from a corner, United received their glorious chance to open the scoring after eighteen minutes. After Wright was felled by Paul Heckingbottom with the ball heading the striker's way from a left wing, Clare's effort was parried by Deasy as he dived to his right.
Only nine minutes later Martin Ling's side earned the breakthrough that their endeavour had earned, Wright celebrating his second goal for the club after opening his account at Tamworth.
The remainder of the half was played out predominantly in the Gateshead half, the notable exception coming as the interval approached when defender James Curtis saw his header ruled out for offside. Half time arrived seconds after Wright chipped a fine effort millimetres over the bar, capping an impressive first half performance for The U's.
It took less than ten minutes after the interval for United to double their lead and it was Clare who finally grabbed the goal against his former club that the script demanded. Wright was set free on the right by Conal Platt before being denied by a good save, only for Clare to follow up and head into an empty net to the delight of his team mates and the nearby Newmarket Road End.
Willmott and Simon Russell both fired over from distance as United started to express themselves going forward. Clare made way to a standing ovation as youngster Adam Marriott replaced him twenty minutes from time as visiting sub Josh Gillies was booked for a poor challenge on James Jennings.
Soon afterwards United killed the game with a devastating three goal burst in eight minutes. Simon Russell rolled into an empty net after Deasy denied Willmott before Brian Saah rose to nod a free header home from a Jennings freekick. Subs Marriott and Gray then combined to allow Gray to nod his first goal for the club.
There was still time for Gray to nearly add a sixth before Simon Brown made his only save of the afternoon to deny Gillies with an outstanding stop to his right. The final whistle came moments later as the side was rewarded with a thoroughly deserved ovation, the tune of Coconuts ringing around The Abbey Stadium.
Man of the Match: It seems perhaps harsh to pick out one player after such a fine team performance but Danny Wright gets the nod for getting the ball rolling with the opening goal, while the performance of a rejuvenated Robbie Willmott will be greeted with great excitement by U's fans.
Attendance 2637 (45 away)
Reporting by Matt Ramsay
FULL TIME CAMBRIDGE UNITED 5-0 GATESHEAD
16.49 The fourth official takes mercy on the visitors by awarding a mere two minutes added time. Gray nearly nips in to add a sixth but is denied by Deasy. It says something of the match that the goalkeeper of a side who are 5-0 down is their best player. That's it, United gain their second home win in a week and third home clean sheet in succession.
16.42 Four minutes to play and, to state the bleeding obvious, United are absolutely rampant. Danny Wright is awarded the sponsor's man of the match, and not many people can argue.
16.41 Three goals in eight minutes for United. A side that struck five goals in five games before today has now netted five and missed a penalty on one matchday.
16.39 GOAL. CAMBRIDGE UNITED 5-0 GATESHEAD. Party time. Simon Russell shoots from twenty yards, Deasy saves, Marriott arrives at the rebound and unselfishly pulls the ball back across goal for Wayne Gray to nod into an empty net with virtually his first touch.
16.26 Sam Ives comes on for Conal Platt and moments later Simon Brown is called into action for the first time all day. Gillies smashes a fine effort which is heading into the corner before the United custodian pulls off a quite splendid save as he dives to his right. Danny Wright is the next played to gain a standing ovation as he makes way for Wayne Gray, while Jon Shaw makes way for Brian Wake.
16.34 GOAL. CAMBRIDGE UNITED 4-0 GATESHEAD. United are enjoying themselves now. Phil Turnbull is booked for dissent and from the freekick Brian Saah is able to rise easily above the defence and flick the ball home.
16.32 GOAL. CAMBRIDGE UNITED 3-0 GATESHEAD. If there was any doubt before, it's game over now. Willmott is well teed up by Marriott and sees his effort is well saved by Deasy. For the second time this half, the visiting backline is playing musical statues, allowing Simon Russell to tap into an empty net.
16.30 Wright heads the ball back into the centre to find Platt. The winger looks dangerous from distance but is wasteful this time, dragging his effort well wide when a pass to Marriott was the better option.
16.27 Daryl Clare makes way as United make their first change of the day. Despite missing from the spot the striker received a well deserved standing ovation as Adam Marriott takes his place.
16.26 The first booking of the afternoon arrives with just over twenty minutes to play and it's Gateshead sub Gillies who receives it after leaving the boot in somewhat firmly on James Jennings, who feels the force of the impact.
16.24 Gateshead have move to 4-4-2 with those changes as we enter a slight lull in proceedings.
16.19 The first changes of the day come from the visitors. Andy Ferrell comes off for Nathan Fisher and Martin Brittain makes way for Josh Gillies.
16.17 The continuingly excellent Willmott picks the pocket of a defender and runs onto Clare's return pass before turning outside a defender and blasting theball over the bar. Moments later and United come close again, a cross being cleared as far as Simon Russell, who fires just over.
16.16 Rory McAuley gets a round of applause from his own defence after an excellent covering challenge to deny Craig Nelthorpe, winning a goalkick at the same time.
16.11 GOAL. Cambridge United 2-0 Gateshead. One again United don't have to wait long before getting their goal after a previous chance. Clare spreads the play beautifully to Conal Platt, who in turn tees up Wright on the right flank. His right footed drive is well kept out by Deasy but Daryl Clare is on hand to head the ball into an empty net from six yards. Cue a team celebration right in front of the NRE.
16.10 Willmott bravely throws himself into a challenge and wins it to set up Daryl Clare, who tries his luck from long range but only finds Deasy.
16.07 United have seen the most of the ball so far. Rory McAuley gets forward well before being brought down by the touchline.
16.03 The sides are back out for the second half and we're underway. United shoot towards the Newmarket Road in the second period.
HALF TIME: Cambridge United 1-0 Gateshead
15.46 Danny Wright almost doubles his tally, spinning his defender expertly to run onto Russell's through ball and nearly provides a stunning strike, just rising his effort over the crossbar from a near impossible angle. That's the last action of the half, and United can be very pleased with their display this far despite the missed penalty.
15.43 A lightning break from United sees Robbie Willmott carry the ball from inside his own half to the far byeline before winning a corner on the left wing. He's shown a fine reaction to being dropped on Monday with a fine first half display.
15.41 Gateshead think they're level but defender James Curtis looks well offside as he flicks the ball into the far corner. His celebrations are cut short as the linesman raises his flag.
15.39 On a similar note to Coulson, perhaps James Jennings wants to continue a Goalscoring run as well. His excellent freekick against Eastbourne can't be matches today as he fires an effort well over Deasy's crossbar.
15.36 Josh Coulson has a taste for attacking play after his goal on Monday, diving to head narrowly over from Jennings' freekick.
15.30 United need to be careful despite having the best of the play. Rory McAuley needs to be alert to block off Craig Nelthorpe at the expense of a corner. Twice in quick succession Daryl Clare is adjudged to have pushed his man when attempting to win back post headers. CRC are a goal up at Great Yarmouth, Luke Berry having more luck from the spot than Clare.
15.27 GOAL. Cambridge United 1-0 Gateshead. United's diligence pays through and it's a delightful move. Robbie Willmott picks up a loose ball twenty-five yards out and plays a wonderful through ball between two defenders into the path of Danny Wright. The striker times his run to perfection and buries his first time effort into the far corner. Clinical.
15.23 United seem undeterred by their missed chance as they continue to move forward on a regular basis. Danny Wright keeps the ball in play to deliver an outstanding driven cross in on his left foot, before Robbie Willmott charges down an attempted clearance to the appreciation of the home support.
15.18 MISSED PENALTY Conal Platt frees Robbie Willmott on the left and his excellent left wing cross is heading for the unmarked Danny Wright, who is felled from behind from Paul Heckingbottom. The referee is unmoved but her assistant correctly flags for a penalty. There's a big delay before the kick is taken, during which keeper Tim Deasy makes sure he has a few words with (who else?) Daryl Clare, and it pays off as the striker misses his chance to open his United account, his low effort isn't the best you've ever seen and Deasy goes the right way, diving right to parry the ball away. The rebound is hacked away by a quick-thinking defender.
15.12 The flurry of corners continues as the ball is nicked off Josh Coulson's foot as his swings for a volley at the back post following a James Jennings free kick. The corner is floated to the same player, but Coulson can only head straight into the hands of Tim Deasy.
15.09 United have their own chance to take the lead as Simon Russell's lofted ball sets Danny Wright free on the left. It doesn't sit up for the striker, who takes too long to get a shot away and sees his eventual shot charged down. Rory McAuley flicks a header wide from the ensuing corner.
15.06 The visitors should be ahead. Kris Gate finds room on the left and delivers an excellent cross to the late arriving Jon Shaw, who has time on the penalty spot before dragging his effort wide of Simon Brown's left post. A big let off for United.
15.03 The flagkick is eventually worked into the box where Daryl Clare, hopefully desperate to net against his former side, has a shot deflected narrowly wide. The next corner comes to nothing as Clare is offside from a second ball.
15.02 A good spell of early possession for the travelling side ends with a whipped left wing cross coming to nothing as lone striker Jon Shaw is flagged offside. United go up the other end and win a corner.
15.00 The sides are out, United in their amber and black home kit with the visitors in blue shirts and white shorts. The South Stand is sparsely populated with Cambourne based youngsters, with visiting fans in the South Habbin. Miss Fearn gets us up and running after a United huddle, and we're underway with he U's defending the Newmarket Road End in the first period.
14.50 The sides are in the dressing rooms and we're not far from kick off. CRC travel to Great Yarmouth Town in the Ridgeons League, updates from that fixture to follow when available.
14.45 Team news: Adam Miller misses out as expected due to an injury sustained on Monday against Eastbourne. Robbie Willmott comes in on the wing as Simon Russell moves into the middle. Daryl Clare retains his place against his former side. Amy Fearn (nee Rayner) is today's referee.
CUFC: Simon Brown; James Jennings, Rory McAuley, Josh Coulson, Brian Saah; Paul Carden (c), Simon Russell, Robbie Willmott, Conal Platt; Danny Wright, Daryl Clare.
Subs: Danny Naisbitt, Dave Partridge, Wayne Gray, Sam Ives, Adam Marriott.
Gateshead: (4-5-1 expected) Tim Deasy; Craig Baxter, Paul Heckingbottom, James Curtis, Ben Clark (c); Kris Gate, Phil Turnbull, Andy Ferrell, Craig Nelthorpe, Martin Brittain; Jon Shaw
Subs: Carl Jones, Brian Wake, Nathan Fisher, Mark Cook, Josh Gillies.
14.40 Good afternoon one and all and welcome to The Abbey. Your usual home reporter is away this afternoon so I'm stepping into his shoes to guide you through Cambridge United's home Conference clash with Gateshead.
In the corresponding fixture last season, Andy Parkinson scored the final goal in a 3-0 win for The U's. When the sides met up north later in the season Parkinson was now playing for The Heed and helped his side gain revenge with a 2-0 win. Both goals that day were scored by Daryl Clare, and as the sides meet today the striker is on the books for United. Glad we've cleared that one up.
Reporting by Matt Ramsay
