News

See Cambridge Fans United meeting minutes - click here.

I read somewhere that the British Olympic Association are worried that there will not be any decent British entries in the diving competitions. Well I think they have only to look at some of the Stevenage players for some gold medal hopefuls, even manager Westley on the touchline was making some movements as if he was coaching his players to dive! Beasley in particular caught the eye, he looks like a "well hard geezer" with his very short sleeved shirt and swagger, but seemed to fall over grabbing his head/leg/foot (delete as required) the moment a U's player came near, and kept on moaning to the referee.

Starting line-up:

Holroyd, Crow,

Pitt, Carden, Ives, Willmott,

Tonkin, Hatswell, Saah, Gleeson,

Potter.

Subs: Beesley, Parkinson, Reason, McAuley, Marriott.

The tone was set in the opening minute, their #7 Murphy was very late with a challenge on Gleeson, a red card would have been harsh, but definitely a yellow card offence, but the referee decided a telling off would suffice. Gleeson had to go off, but was ready to come back on soon after the free kick had been taken, but the referee took an age to signal him back.

A few minutes later Crow put a ball through for Holroyd to run on to but he was held back by the last defender (Albrighton) for a penalty to be awarded, Albrighton was only booked despite being the last man. Crow took the penalty and scored, 1-0 after 4 minutes.

Another late challenge by Murphy, this time on Carden, and so at last he was cautioned on 6 minutes.

A SBFC free kick went way over the bar, then Bridges had a weak shot go to Potter.

A U's free kick was taken by Pitt who curled the ball over the wall but the keeper Day made a great save low down by the post to push the ball out for a corner.

SBFC had a looping header go wide, then a free kick went straight out.

Potter caused a bit of a scare with a poor kick which hit someone and rebounded back to him.

SBFC won a couple of corners, then Odebade rode a challenge just outside the penalty area and could have done the same with a second challenge on the line, but chose to go down, the referee didn't blow at first but the linesman flagged and a penalty was awarded, what might be called a very soft penalty! Potter went the wrong way and SBFC equalised. 1-1 on 24 minutes.

Things then got worse, Beasley crumpled up under a challenge from behind by Hatswell and the referee showed the red card to Hatswell, which sparked a bit of a melee. After a minute or so Potter decided to boot the ball into the crowd which earnt him a booking. Pitt was replaced by McAuley before the free kick was taken. Beasley had to leave the pitch as he had received treatment, the referee waved him back on almost as the free kick was taken!

Ashton fouled Tonkin and was booked on 32 minutes, Willmott putting the free kick into the defensive wall.

A SBFC shot went to Potter, at the other end Crow tried a curling shot the keeper saved.

Holroyd was put through for a good chance to score but their keeper was out quickly to block a shot.

Half time: 1-1.

Stevenage made a change at half time by taking off a defender for another forward.

Not surprisingly SBFC had the better of the opening period, with a shot to Potter which was soon followed by a goal, a deep cross played back for a tap in at the back post. 1-2 on 53 minutes.

Play went from end to end with corners being won, SBFC headed a free kick wide then a low cross was gathered by Potter.

Holroyd did well to chase down a long ball and beat a defender at the bye line to cross, but Crow was off balance and his shot had more height than distance and was cleared.

Willmott got booked for a foul, then tried a 30 yard shot that was pushed round the post by Day just before crossing the line.

Ives was replaced by Reason on 70 minutes, Carden went into the book a few minutes later for a foul.

Beesley came on for Willmott on 75.

McAuley had some blood coming from a head injury so was told to go off for treatment to leave U's with 9 players and during this time SBFC scored again, a low cross turned in as Potter and Saar decided what to do. 1-3 after 85 minutes.

U's almost pulled a goal back on 90, a free kick headed just wide by the bandaged McAuley.

Final score: 1-3.

We didn't play particularly well, SBFC were not much better. However they did play the referee much better than we did, it was not until mid way through the second half we realised that if you went down following a challenge a free kick would be awarded. From that point of view the referee was equally poor for both sides. by then the damage had been done. Odebade won a free kick by playing the ball past Gleeson then running into him. Willmott did exactly the same but got nothing.

As in many other games this season playing with 2 wingers is good if they get the ball and do something with it. It seems ages since Pitt or Willmott consistently beat a defender and put over a decent cross. Tonkin did better as a winger than Pitt when we were down to 10. Our midfield was out muscled, Ives barely got a look in, Carden did well chasing around, but mostly defensively. At the front Crow and Holroyd as usual did a lot of work, but neither was going to get anything in the air from their defenders, so why did we bother lumping the ball forward? Defence looked OK until Hatswell had his rush of blood, the sending off was harsh, I suppose he thought that from what had been allowed earlier he would not be in too much trouble. Still, it keeps the run going where a player is sent off when we meet!

To me if we are to beat physically strong teams like SBFC we have to play a passing game on the ground and let the ball do the work. CRC players seem to want to play that way, but not when they get to the first team. Or is it that the first team players can't play that way?

Whatever the reason we have to get it sorted soon. Compared to last year the squad is not that different (Saar for Bolland, only Rendell has not been replaced), so I think we should be playing better football, and doing better.

Back to News Stories