Finally! U's Beat Walsall

It's been a long time coming, but the U's have finally picked up another win following a run of nine successive defeats.

Jabo Ibehre was the returning hero for Joe Dunne's men who, having signed a permanent deal on Tuesday, bagged the all-important first goal in a 2-0 win for the U's, with Freddie Sears sealing the win as the game entered injury time.

In a tight affair the U's pressed and probed, but they had to wait patiently until ten minutes from time before the breakthrough finally came.

There were chances at both ends in the first half, with Thompson denying the visitors before Sam Mantam nodded wide whilst, at the other end, Massey whipped in a dangerous ball that was thwarted and Ibehre saw his header knocked clear.

Without being spectacular, it was a game swinging from end to end that could have gone either way but, the longer it went on, the more it felt as though it would be one goal to decide the outcome whichever way it fell.

Brian Wilson went close for the U's with his low cross cleared on the goal line, whilst John White did well to deny the Saddlers as they tried to take the U's on the counter-attack.

The introduction of Freddie Sears with fifteen minutes to go gave the crowd a lift, and it wasn't long after that the game turned.

Chasing down a short ball, Sears won a tackle in the opposing third for the ball to roll free and Ibehre stepped up to place the ball home and give the U's the lead.

Moments later, and Sears smashed a long-range shot against the crossbar before he sealed all three points for Joe Dunne's side as he linked up well with fellow substitute, George Porter.

As Porter broke clear down the right hand side, his ball was expertly converted by Sears who crashed home the U's second and picked up three points.

With over two months passing since the U's last victory, it lifts a huge weight off of the shoulders of Joe Dunne who will be a happy man this evening.

The U's now move into another big game with fellow strugglers Portsmouth, where another three points will make the future look a lot rosier.


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