Despite this, under the guidance of rookie Head Coach Huang Hao, this immature Cambridge United team gradually got on track, and their standing in the League table steadily improved, maintaining around sixth place and closely trailing the playoff teams.
In the 37th round of the National League, Cambridge United secured a 4-2 victory over Morecambe at home. This wasn't the first time the lads had achieved such a large scoreline, so everyone didn't pay too much attention.
However, after the match, exciting news emerged.
In this round, fifth-placed Halifax finally fell behind, and Cambridge United seized the opportunity to close the gap, with only 3 points separating the two teams currently.
In the 38th round of the National League, Cambridge United welcomed their seventh-placed opponent, Aldershot.
At Abbey Stadium, as their ranking improved, the number of fans attending matches significantly increased. Everyone held beer, hummed Cambridge United's team song, and anticipated a resounding victory at home.
In the locker room, Huang Hao had already become the backbone of the team.
At this point, no one cared whether he also served as the club's chairman. Huang Hao's current prestige in the locker room clearly didn't require a position to support it.
Although Huang Hao was also somewhat excited, he didn't describe this match as overly crucial. He hoped everyone could maintain a normal mindset, even though today's opponent was Aldershot.
Huang Hao didn't need to say too many emotional words at this time; the lads of Cambridge United were already fired up, as the playoff spot was truly within their grasp.
After 90 minutes, the more than 4,000 fans at Abbey Stadium today enjoyed a carnival as they had wished.
Cambridge United lived up to expectations, completely dominating their opponent with a 5-1 victory.
There were three set-piece goals and two goals from open play. Vardy even scored a hat-trick, his first.
Even better news was that fifth-placed Halifax failed to withstand the pressure, losing 0-1 at home to visiting Leyton Orient.
With only four League rounds remaining, both teams were tied on points!
This was the first time this season they had entered the promotion race!
Huang Hao knew it wasn't time to celebrate yet, and despite his happiness, he cooled down the players.
Often, at this moment, if everyone's emotions relax, it's easy to fall behind again, which would be a devastating blow to the team's morale.
In the 39th round of the League, Cambridge United played away.
Their opponent this time was York City, ranked 7th in the League, 2 points behind Cambridge United.
The importance of this match was self-evident.
In the 25th minute of the first half, Cambridge United's midfield engine, Aaron Cole, received the ball and delivered a precise pass directly to Sager on the left wing.
After Iliat's departure, Sager firmly seized the opportunity and became Cambridge United's best option on the left flank.
Upon receiving the ball, Sager, before York City's defensive players could close in, dribbled furiously, charging to the bottom-left corner of the penalty area before unhesitatingly crossing the ball towards the front of the goal!
Vardy, who was lurking in the large penalty area, arrived instantly and broke through York City's goal with a beautiful sweeping shot!
1-0!
Cambridge United got off to a good start!
Before York City players could recover from this goal, shortly after the kickoff from midfield, as the home team pressed forward in large numbers, the ball was intercepted again by MacKenzie!
Upon gaining possession, MacKenzie immediately found Pasquel upfront!
Pasquel had just started to advance with the ball on the right wing when York City defender Hott made a flying tackle, sending the ball out of bounds. Before Hott could even get up, Pasquel quickly took a straight and fast throw-in. Vardy, like an arrow released from a bow, instantly shook off York City's entire defense.
Vardy accelerated towards the penalty area. York City's only defender, Westcar, had no choice but to press Vardy, and the York City goalkeeper also actively advanced, trying to expand his defensive area.
Vardy charged into the penalty area, lifted his right foot as if to shoot, Car slid in from behind, and the goalkeeper instinctively crouched to defend the near post. At the moment Vardy's right foot touched the ball, he lightly scooped it with the inside of his foot, evading Car's tackle, then lightly pushed it horizontally with his left foot. Perrotta followed up with a big stride and easily tapped it into the empty net.
Boom!
As the fans at Abbey Stadium erupted in a huge cheer.
Perrotta excitedly took off his jersey and rushed towards the fans.
Within five minutes, Cambridge United scored two goals as if chopping melons and dicing vegetables! 2-0!
Abbey Stadium instantly turned into a sea of joy.
Although York City managed to pull one back in the 70th minute of the second half from a free-kick, they ultimately left Abbey Stadium disappointed with a 1-2 defeat.
Cambridge United, with a six-point victory, successfully pulled 5 points ahead of York City, climbing to fifth place in the League table, adding another layer of security to their playoff promotion hopes.
At such a critical moment, Cambridge United's young players still exposed their shortcomings of inexperience and unstable form.
The next two League matches for Cambridge United both ended in draws.
Fortunately, their competitors also performed similarly, so Cambridge United remained lucky enough to stay in the playoff zone.
Cambridge United's sudden surge at the end of the League season brought great surprise to the media and fans; now, almost no voices of doubt can be heard.
And the over 600,000 pounds raised by Chinese fans and the fan foundation not only alleviated the team's massive debt pressure but also ensured that players' salaries and bonuses were paid on time, which greatly boosted the team's morale.
In the 42nd round of the League, the final round of the League, Cambridge United was ranked fifth, one point ahead of sixth-placed Stevenage and two points ahead of seventh-placed York City. This time, Hereford, ranked second in the League, came to challenge at Abbey Stadium.
In this match, Cambridge United only needed to secure one point to guarantee their playoff qualification. Drawing to win, it sounds simple, but Huang Hao knew this was the eternal pain of Chinese fans.
Therefore, Huang Hao decided to field all his main players for this match, aiming for a full victory.
Mikel, with his Plate army, appeared at Abbey Stadium early. Although at the beginning of the season, he was the loudest ringleader shouting for Huang Hao's dismissal at the training ground entrance, now, he had transformed into Huang Hao's most loyal fan.
If Cambridge United could eventually be promoted to Football League Two, he had even organized his subordinates to compose a special song for Huang Hao.
Abbey Stadium, which can accommodate 8,000 spectators, was suddenly flooded with nearly 10,000 people, jamming the aisles completely.
“The U's, The U's” fans shouted Cambridge.
To everyone's surprise, this match, which was originally thought to be a clash of titans, turned out to be extremely easy.
In the 14th minute of the first half, after a period of probing, Cambridge United made the first move!
Sager, who was playing brilliantly at left-winger, successfully broke through to Hereford's bottom-left corner and delivered a precise cross to the far post!
Right-winger Pasquel emerged from the crowd and headed the ball!
The ball was blocked by the quick-reacting goalkeeper with one hand!
At the critical moment, veteran Perrotta suddenly appeared like a phantom in front of the goal, easily tapping in the rebound! 1-0!
Seven minutes later, Cambridge United came back strong.
This time, it was again Cole who received the ball in the middle and delivered a precise through-pass, again targeting Perrotta!
Perrotta quickly encountered a double-team defense after receiving the ball. This time, Perrotta was not greedy; taking advantage of the two defenders' unpreparedness, he suddenly chipped the ball towards the right side of the penalty area!
Vardy had already cut inside into the penalty area at this point, received the ball, and steadily pushed it into the far corner of the goal, 2-0!
In this attack, what excited Huang Hao the most was that Cambridge United's left and right wings took turns cutting inside, posing a great threat to the opponent, especially Sager's return to the left wing, showing no discomfort whatsoever. His ability to pass and shoot had made him the offensive core of Cambridge United.
Thus, even if they reach League Two in the future, his power should not be underestimated.
Moreover, after Perrotta's return, he fully utilized his role as a target man, creating many scoring opportunities for Vardy.
In the 40th minute, Cambridge United took a quick throw-in, and Vardy carried the ball into the penalty area. A Hereford defender fouled Vardy while tracking back.
Penalty.
Vardy converted the penalty, 3-0.
Ultimately, Cambridge United surprisingly defeated Hereford by three goals at home. It is unknown if the opponent was holding back due to the playoffs.
Huang Hao's focus will now be entirely on the playoffs. After a season of training, Huang Hao has accumulated a lot of experience in tactical deployment.
If the outcome of a regular season match doesn't have a significant impact, then in knockout matches like the playoffs, every step will become crucial.
For most of this season, due to his lack of experience, Huang Hao still relied on assistant Head Coach Darren to enrich his combat tactics. More often, he relied on his identity as club chairman and Head Coach to motivate the players and boost their morale to the greatest extent. However, the 'grenade tactics' and set-piece tactics proposed based on future experience still played a very significant role. They gradually became well-known to most people in the National League.
But now that the playoffs are imminent, Huang Hao knows that this little bit of skill is not enough.
This season, when Cambridge United played at home, the number of fans present mostly remained at a level of one to two thousand.
Today, however, Abbey Stadium was packed with 9,300 fans.
Since Football League Two is already a level within the five-tier professional League in England, for National League teams, there are only two promotion spots. Besides the first-placed team, which directly gets a ticket to League Two, teams ranked 2nd-5th can only compete for the single remaining promotion spot through the playoffs.
Ultimately, Hereford and Cambridge United were ranked second and third in the League table, respectively, with Grays Athletic and Halifax in fourth and fifth place.