The Carabao Cup kicked off the new season with Barnet the visitors. Following his usual great job, Stadium Manager Ian Darler and his team had prepared an ideal pitch for the new season. It was of course one of a very few areas in the county to look green following the long, hot & dry spell. Of course we couldn’t kick off a new season without a few injuries so with George Hoddle and new signing (from Barnet !), Callum Stead already out the game, came the unwelcome news that striker Gassan Ahadme was also injured. United had a youthful look about them and as usual from last season, opponents Barnet looked bigger and stronger.
It was very hot for the 1300 kick off, about 28 degrees and a decent crowd of over 3500 including just over 500 from Barnet prepared for action. Barnet won the toss and turned things around, so United kicked off towards the NRE. Early play was end to end with Gallagher of the visitors having a shot blocked. Glenn McConnell then set up Louis Appere whose shot was saved easily by Matthew Cox. Following a free kick on 14, Lakin crossed to the far post for Tavares, unmarked at the far post to volley over. It looked a let off. Following a United corner, the ball was cleared to Kell Watts but his shot went wide. New skipper Dom Ball then set up Ben Knight who beat a couple of defenders but his shot was straight at keeper Cox. United were playing their best football on the ground.
The impressive Lakin then set up Kanu but his effort was blocked as both teams toiled in the heat. New winger Isaac Heath crossed the ball following a break but Ben Knight fired well over. Although I’m not a fan of the drinks break, it looked a good idea today. As well as taking on water, both coaches had a few moments with their teams. Like it or not I do see it being a part of the game in future. Louis Appere then set up Glenn McConnell but like earlier shots was straight at the keeper. It was already noticeable on our lack of firepower. Jake Eastwood then took a free kick but Appere’s header was cleared. Knight then set up McConnell following a break but his shot was easily saved again. Barnet had a goal disallowed for offside, to be fair to the officials, the Lino had had his flag up long before the cross came over.
Lakin then broke clear following a mixup in the U’s defence. His snap shot was saved low down by the legs of Eastwood. The three minutes (although not indicated) of added time brought no real action and half time came at 0-0. The U’s clearly lightweight but playing really good football on the break.
The second half kicked off with Barnet on the attack. Lakin set up Gallagher but his effort was cleared. Then United were undone. Lakin escaped on the left, crossed for Gallagher whose shot was cleared off the line, it bubbled up for Senior who headed it goalwards but Watts cleared off the line. Ultimately it fell for Tshimanga who fired low into the net from about 6 yards for 0-1. United were at sixes and sevens. However, the second half revival, a master tactic of Neil Harris payed dividends almost straight away as McConnell got past his man, passed to the right hand side of the box for Knight to cut in, the ball taking a generous deflection, wrong footing the keeper for 1-1 on 52. United were straight back on it with McConnell shooting at goal which was cleared, Appere did not give up and crossed the ball back into the middle for Issac Heath to fire home for 2-1.
On 62 United replaced McConnell and McLoughlin with Sullay KaiKai and Pelly Mpanzu. The home team were now on top and Dom Ball fired in an effort which was blocked. Referee Carl Brook was being rather fussy on throw ins and clearances though. However he allowed some throws for players to steal yards when making others to take the throw (rightly) where it went out. I must say though that the all in wrestling at corners still needs to be dealt with as it was a continual problem today. Collins fired wide for Barnet but despite not being at their best, United looked comfortable. On 65 former U Tom Knowles replaced Kenlock for Barnet. KaiKai then set up Mpanzu who fired in an effort saved by Cox in the top corner on 70. The drinks break followed.
On 74 United replaced Appere with Shayne Lavery and moments later came a scare as Senior crossed for Kanu to head wide. Knowles then fired in a shot well saved low down by Eastwood. In a further frustrating part of the game, in their effort to get level I thought Barnet players were falling to the ground too easily and referee Brook awarded a number of soft looking free kicks. On 84 Barnet replaced Ofoborth and Tavares with Wright and Smith. United were seeing the game out well until a clash involving Watts and Kanu developed into a free for all. Both players were correctly yellow carded. Following another soft free kick to Barnet, Lakin hit a stinging low shot, well saved by Eastwood at full stretch. Although I saw Zak Williams of Barnet yellow carded on 89 for a foul on Liam Bennett, it seems I missed a yellow card for keeper Eastwood, probably for taking too much time.
Again I didn’t see it indicated, but 7 minutes of stoppage time were played, Heath firing over from over 30 yards with Cox off his line. On 92 Bradshaw replaced Heath for the U’s. Moments later to finish the game off, the referee took a throw in off United to give to Barnet, but this had occurred for both sides. I suggest getting your point over earlier in the game. Then Barnet had a late goal disallowed for a foul on Jobe. The referee blew for the foul but some players did not appear to hear him. Although the guy who put the ball in the net knew. On 98 referee Brook blew for full time at 2-1.
Overall it was not a vintage performance against a physically stronger and taller team. Interesting to hear their manager suggestion that we were the physical team in his post match comments. Not our best, yes but better to come when those injured return and I still think we are a couple of players light.
Ref Watch – Carl Brook -5 an experienced official who had the game in his pocket for 70 minutes. Fussy on some things and lenient on others. The game rose in temperature towards the end and his seemingly casual approach had to change. Will have better games but I would welcome him back to the abbey later this season.