A Barry Corr second half brace secured Cambridge United a memorable 0-2 win over Stevenage, in an almost seamless away performance for the U’s in Sky Bet League Two.
The striker appeared off the bench to score with his first touch on 54 minutes, before finishing off a strong contender for the U’s goal of the season seven minutes from time to send the large tarvelling amber army home in fine spirit.
Billy Waters, Medy Elito and Paul Lewis returned as three changes to the starting line-up for United, who began the game in a 4-4-2 diamond looking to match up with their opponents.
The U’s showed sharp concentration during the early stages to weather an early wave of Stevenage attack before creating the first clear cut opportunity of the game on 11 minutes, when Jevani Brown lifted a perfect pass into the path of Waters, who connected well with a volley that was saved by hosts keeper Tom King.
The hosts took a firm hold of possession as the half progressed, but United continued to match up well to keep Stevenage at arm’s length and looked more than capable of hitting them on the break.
A magnificent pass on the counter attack by George Maris into the path of Paul Lewis opened up an opportunity on goal for Brown on 25 minutes, which the midfielder was able thread through the legs of two Stevenage defenders, but pulled the effort inches wide.
As the game headed towards the break, Joe Dunne’s men continued to shut out the hosts well with only a pair of set pieces asking the United defence any questions, whilst going forward George Maris and Jevani Brown began to grow into the fixture.
When the sides returned it was the U’s who always looked the more likely to break the deadlock, Billy Waters again denied by Stevenage keeper King, when being put through on goal for second time by Brown.
However the script seemed almost written when Joe Dunne introduced Barry Corr eight minutes into the scond half, and sur enough moments later, George Maris curled an ideal free kick delivery on to the head of the Irishman who duly flicked past King to send the away fans into raptures.
The hosts came close to a leveller through Danny Newton who head narrowly wide on the hour mark, and Alex Revell whose dipping half volley was parried low by Forde.
But it was that man Corr who completed the headlines, when he was perfectly placed to tap home a fluid United passing move which saw Gary Deegan, Maris, Brown, and Halliday carve open Stevenage with a series of one and two touch passes.
A masterful game plan from Joe Dunne, combined with huge desire and excellent application from the U’s ensured the Amber Army departed the Lamex Stadium with a memorable win in the bag.
Cambridge United: Forde, Halliday, Taylor, Taft, Dunk, Deegan, Lewis (Carroll, 67 mins), Maris (Legge, 90 mins), Brown, Waters, Elito (Corr, 52 mins)
Stevenage: King, Martin, J.King (Gorman, 72 mins), Franks, Wilkinson, Revell, Kennedy (Whelpdale, 53 mins), Amos, Newton, Godden (Goddard, 58 mins), Henry