Way hails ‘fighters’ as Duffus downs U’s

YEOVIL TOWN ended a run of six straight league defeats by beating Cambridge United at Huish Park.

A first Glovers goal for Courtney Duffus was enough to secure all three points.

“I’m proud, honoured and I respect what the team’s done,” said Yeovil manager Darren Way.

“You just have to keep fighting. Our body language was full of confidence and energy. The foundations of this football club since I’ve been here is fight, fight and fight even harder and we sure had to do that.

“I thought the players played with confidence. They were strong with the ball.”

Duffus scored on his first start for the club and was among five changes, which included starting forward Yoann Arquin in central defence and an EFL debut for teenager Daniel Ojo.

“It was probably the bravest team selection I’ve made. But boy did they perform,” said Way.

Cambridge boss Colin Calderwood felt it was a missed opportunity for his team, who have now been dragged three points closer to the relegation zone.

“There was more than enough play away from home against a team that are very close to us, to want and deserve more than we’ve got,” Calderwood said.

“It became a little bit anxious and frantic towards the end of the second half.

“The way they scored the goal we’ve probably had close to nine or 10 of those moments. We’ve had opportunities to make the game level. We didn’t take it.

“Really disappointed about the goal of course because it puts us behind and gives them a foothold in the game.”

The lively Alex Dobre forced the opener as he tricked his way into the box before seeing his low shot saved go straight into the path of Duffus, who had a simple tap-in after 25 minutes. Yeovil almost scored two goals in as many minutes when Rhys Browne was picked out in space and played it into Alex Fisher, but the striker’s effort went just wide.

The hosts rode their luck in the second half as Cambridge twice went close to scoring.

First Browne defended well to stop Jabo Ibehre stretching to poke a cross in at the far post, then Alex Jones was picked out unmarked by David Amoo but side-footed it wide from two yards.