Sam Smith on song for Cambridge as they hit back to beat Crewe

Posted Sunday, September 15, 2019 by PA

Sam Smith scored twice as Cambridge ended a run of three consecutive defeats with a 3-2 success against 10-man Crewe.

Smith’s first-half opener was his first since joining the U’s on loan from Reading.

The striker edged his side ahead again after the break from a controversial penalty after Crewe had led 2-1 amid a glut of four goals inside nine minutes.

The Railwaymen were caught napping early on when Luke Hannant’s pass sent Smith clear and he slotted past Will Jaaskelainen.

Crewe responded and Harry Pickering’s free-kick was tipped around a post by Dimitar Mitov.

But their hopes were hit when veteran midfielder Paul Green received a straight red card for an over-the-ball challenge on Samir Carruthers in the 41st minute.

The introduction of Chuma Anene pepped up Crewe’s attack and the big striker, on-loan from Danish side FC Midtjylland, forced a good save out of Mitov.

Defender Eddie Nolan beat Mitov when prodding home a corner and Anene netted his first goal in England after taking a neat touch onto Charlie Kirk’s squared pass and hitting a low finish in the 67th minute.

Yet Cambridge were back in front in the space of three minutes.

First Paul Lewis was left unmarked to direct a downward header into the far corner, and when Hannant’s dash into the box drew a trip from Nolan, Smith netted his second when sending the keeper the wrong way with a 72nd-minute spot-kick.