In some ways it seems ages since 2nd May and our promotion to league 1 at Crewe. You can read my thoughts on the summer of football, and my U’s predictions in the next edition of Amber News which is due out soon.
Back in the CFU Cabin with Gina selling match programmes, 50/50, bookings on the Away Travel coaches and copies of The Season That Really Was. Only £15 from the Cabin! It was nice to see regular and new fans, including William Arnold who teaches in China and was introducing one of his Chinese students to football at the Abbey. Keep spreading the Amber word, William!
The recent heatwave had cooled a little, mid 20’s was comfortable for watching, although I suspect players prefer something a little cooler!
U’s starting line up: Eastwood in goal, Watts, Jobe, Bradshaw at the back, Ball, McLoughlin, Knight, Bennett and Heath in the middle, with Appere at the front.
Of course I missed seeing the early goal while cashing up, a U’s corner eventually ending at the feet of Watts to shoot in from around 12 yards after 2 minutes. What a start from the Big Flaming Geordie!
Wigan #7 Murray was causing problems on our right, Bennett having a tough time and not able to get as far forward as he would have liked. Murray was able to get in a couple of crosses but were easily cleared.
U’s were looking lively especially on the break and on 33 minutes the lead was doubled with a surging run from Heath who played the ball to Appere who sidestepped a challenge before dinking the ball past the keeper into the net. 2-0.
Wigan continued to keep the ball, but made little in the way of chances.
Half time: 2-0. 50/50 ticket number 32716 won £565.
The second half started much as the first, good defending then Bennett cut out a Wigan pass, moved forward then played a 1-2 with Knight before cutting the ball back for McLoaughlin to shoot, the ball deflecting off a defender or 2 before hitting the post but Heath was in the right place to tuck the ball in from a yard for 3-0 after 52 minutes.
Wigan made changes and had a free kick go just wide, then had a long range shot which hit the post and fell for Perkins to trundle the ball into the net. 3-1 after69 minutes.
Soon after Eastwood saved a near post shot for a corner which was half cleared before being crossed to the back post and a header into the goal area where 3 Wigan players were unmarked, Higgins able to tap the ball into the net. 3-2 after 73 minutes.
Neil Harris immediately made changes with Mpanzu and Kaikai replacing Knight and Heath, their experience stopped Wigan creating chances.
Lavery came on for Appere on 80, and U’s did make a couple of chances but Ball missed his kick, and a dangerous cross was cleared.
Bauer came on in added time for Bradshaw to defend a last free kick.
Final score: 3-2.
When we went 3-0 up we were top of the League (alphabetically above Stockport), conceding the 2 goals meant we are 5th, two places up from our starting position of 7th.
It had been fairly easy, Wigan didn’t look that good. Their substitutions gave them hope, our substitutions were possibly a bit late, but it did stop Wigan equalising.
When I saw the starting line up I thought it looked like we would defend and hope to not concede before bringing on extra attackers in the second half to try to win the match. Just shows I know nothing!
Heath looks like he will cause problems for defenders and was my Man of the Match, Appere had a really good game leading the line, holding the ball and allowing support to help him.
There will be many harder matches, starting the season with a win is good.