Watts' heads United into 4th

Harris made no changes ahead of the clash against Tranmere. The visitors were unchanged in shape but made 3 personnel changes following their 3-1 loss last weekend to Walsall. With a strong unbeaten streak being noticed across the country, the pressure was on for both Harris and the players.

The first half produced half hearted attacks from either side and 6 shots combined for both sides. The U's dominated the possession but found themselves 1-0 down due to poor defending by Bennet and shambolic defending in the box that led Jones to be free for a header that gave the visitors. The awful defending will be the key talking point of the goal but the finish was sublime but undeserved.

The 2nd half was a thing of miracles for United. Trailing by a goal to nil Harris made changes, brining Lavery and Ball on for Hoddle and Bennet. A minute later Lavery lashed his effort on target and 44 year old Joe Murphy couldn't stop it. A beautiful finish from Lavery with a shot that had a 0.05xg. For those that don't understand xg, that means that if Lavery took that shot 100 times that only of 5 of them will go in.

Tranmere didn't take kindly to the Abbey's roof being blasted off so only 6 minutes later, disposed Ball in midfield and efficiently drove down the right wing. The ball was pulled back to Whitaker who slotted past Eastwood to give Rovers the lead once again.

The away fans were finally heard for the 2nd time in the game but United faithful stayed hopeful of a comeback. 3 minutes later Watts got his big, beautiful Geordie head on the end of a Brophy cross and the U's drew level once again. United used the momentum on and off the pitch to push on for a winner with over 20 minutes left in the game.

Harris then introduced new signing Elliot Nevitt with 18 minutes of the 90 to be played, replacing the poor performing Appere. With both tactical and personnel changes made by Harris, the U's were knocking on the door and it was Watts who's brilliant run was met by Gibbons' cross as for the first time in the game the U's took the lead. 2 goals from Watts, who has gone viral for his knees back to Eastwood, and a thunderous shot from Lavery gave the U's the lead and the Abbey was bouncing.

Head tennis, time wasting from throw ins and long balls populated the viewing for the remaining 15 minutes of the game but in the 96th minute Mpanzu played in Knight who calmly slotted past Murphy and wrapped up the affair.

Harris won this game as much as the players on the pitch did. Fantastic substitutions and a tactical change of shape at the right time gave the players and fans that extra gear that was lacked in the opening 45.

Credit @CambridgeUtdFC on X