Neil Harris: Cambridge deserved to win with chances created

Neil Harris felt Cambridge created enough chances to justify their 2-1 win against Fleetwood.

The visitors withstood early pressure and went ahead after 62 minutes, only for the U’s to turn the game on its head with a quickfire double only seven minutes later.

“I felt it was such a confidence boost for everybody,” said Harris.

“We could bemoan our luck of giving the ball away and the ball ending up in our net from 25 yards. I’m delighted for the group, delighted for the stadium. With 23 chances we’ve created inside their penalty area, I thought we were worthy winners of the game.

“To come from behind in any game is difficult, especially against a Fleetwood side that’s so difficult to break down and so aggressive in their approach. To go and score two goals like we did was really pleasing.

“They’ve played 5-3-2 all season in every game they’ve played. We’ve prepped for it meticulously and got a game plan, then we’ve come here and they’ve played 4-3-3. It takes a little bit of time to adjust for the players. The game’s so tactical now, so fast.

“We still managed so many chances, whether it’s from a set play, when we hit the bar or the keeper made a save.

“(Shayne) Lavery will get the praise and so he should because he’s come off the bench and got his first goal of the season. I’m so, so pleased for him, he’s such a good lad.”

Fleetwood boss Pete Wild expressed his dismay at the game getting away from his side after they had taken the lead.

“I’m really frustrated because there’s nothing in the game between the two teams,” Wild said. “Both teams have had decent chances. Ultimately, when you score a goal you’ve got to then see the next five (minutes) out, making sure you see the game out.

“To lose a game off two set pieces is ridiculous, really. From our side of it, we’ve got to defend better. For over 60 minutes it was exactly the game we wanted it to be, we were so happy with how we were playing, away from home against a team that doesn’t offer a lot.

“It’s a team that offers the least xG in the league. We knew we were going to have a lot of the ball, we knew they were going to sit in and we had to try and break them down. When we scored I thought we were good value for that.

“Again, it’s another game with a mad five minutes where we end up losing, it’s so frustrating.”