Sam-Yorke nets winner for U's
Delano Sam-Yorke scored an eye-catching winner as Cambridge United took three points in a closely fought encounter with Welling United.
After a low-key first half, United hit the front in the 63rd minute when the returning Adam Cunnington drilled home a penalty. Welling were level in the 73rd minute through Toby Sho-Silver, but Sam-Yorke’s fine finish three minutes later wrapped things up.
Cunnington was one of five changes to the starting line-up, as Richard Money shook things up after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Dartford. Luke Chadwick was handed his debut after signing earlier in the day from MK Dons, and he impressed early on with some neat touches.
But neither team created much in a first-half short on incident, causing Money to make a double change at the break. On came Sam-Yorke and Liam Hughes, and both made an impact on proceedings.
Donaldson and Cunnington were both denied by Lee Butcher, while Sam-Yorke fired over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
The breakthrough came when a low Sam-Yorke cross was missed by Cunnington, but ran to Donaldson at the back post, where he was brought down by Loui Fazakerley. Cunnington took responsibility for the spot kick, and smashed a low penalty into the bottom out of the reach of the diving Butcher.
Welling got back on level terms following a corner, which was headed in at the near post by Sho-Silver to the delight of the 82 travelling fans.
But three minutes later the U’s hit the front once more, Sam-Yorke, controlling a ball forward from Tait, bursting past Alfie Mawson and dispatching a fine finish across Butcher and into the far corner.
The U’s saw out the game relatively comfortably after that, Norris making one fantastic save to deny Ouani, whose looping shot looked goalbound until it was tipped over.
So United were left to celebrate three points, and can go into Sunday’s FA Trophy final full of confidence.
Cambridge United: Norris, Tait, Taylor, Coulson, Miller, Chadwick, Donaldson, Champion, Berry (Hughes 46), Arnold (Sam-Yorke 46), Cunnington (Pugh 72). Subs not used: Roberts, Bird.
Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley, Williams, Mawson, Taylor, Healy, Wakefield, Clarke, Ajala (Ouani 53), Sho-Silva, Lafayette (Cornick 26). Subs not used: Turner, Karagianis, Day.
Referee: Mr Paul Rees
Attendance: 2,012 (away 82)