So the big day arrived, and after a pleasant drive up to Cheshire we prepared for our big game. We arrived at Crewe’s Mornflake Stadium, with a crowd of 7335, watching, however it was the noisy 2323 United fans in fine voice and loudly cheering on their team. For the U’s it was an unchanged side which meant Sullay KaiKai and Kell Watts played, also an unchanged bench which meant no Shayne Lavery nor Kylian Kouassi.
United won the toss and played towards the far end where home supporters were located. United were quickly into their stride and Ben Knight had an early effort blocked. Good work from Adam Mayor set up Louis Appere who passed to Knight who fired narrowly wide. As the U’s took the game to the home side KaiKai had another effort blocked. Following a free kick Mayor then crossed for Watts to head wide. The U’s were on top with the home side clearing the ball when they could. Then on 24, the ball was played by Mayor which found KaiKai in the area, he was brought down by Powell and referee Hair pointed to the spot. As a United fan it looked a little harsh to me. Ben Knight stepped up but hit a softer penalty along the ground, although better placed than the Grimsby effort, but home keeper Lawlor saved well at full stretch. I think Ben should repeat his earlier penalties which he hit higher and harder into the roof of the net.
The disappointment and frustration was felt by everyone in amber and black. Moments later United had another great chance following a corner from Mayor, headed back by Watts for Appere to side foot the ball from a couple of yards, in the centre of goal, against a defender on the line and the ball was cleared. That could have been 2-0. The home team looked to take confidence from this and instead of hurried clearances started passing much better and it was very much game on. March of Crewe was racing down the wing and was tripped by KaiKai who earned a yellow card. Crewe then won a number of corners but United held firm despite former U, Mickey Demetriou heading just wide from the third corner. Keeper Jake Eastwood appeared to have it covered. Following another corner the ball was cleared to the edge of the box for Holicek to shoot against a number of United defenders and the ball was cleared.
On 42 Powell crossed for March to side foot at goal, only for Eastwood to save with his feet and then catch. It was the home teams best chance so far. As Crewe pressed, Dancey fired in an effort for Eastwood to catch in his midriff. Half time after 6 minutes of stoppage time came at 0-0. A good start from the U’s who had lost their way after the penalty and missed chance by Appere, the home side now back in the game. Referee Hair also had angered United fans by awarding a number of soft free kicks to the home side, particularly no 24 Josh March who had been falling to the ground very easily.
Before the second half started Elliott Nevitt replaced Louis Appere. A couple of early corners for the home side then resulted in Tezgel heading wide. United really needed to wake up and United fans sensing this started to roar on their side. The home side were quite capable of playing good football but were also drilled in the dark arts, United winning a free kick on the half way line only for Dancey to sit down in front of the ball appearing to tie his bootlaces up but preventing the free kick. Following a warning, referee Hair yellow carded the Crewe player. Amazingly United player James Gibbons was also yellow created for voicing his frustration at being unable to get on with the game. United getting back on top with Mapanzu setting up Knight who had an effort blocked.
Referee Hair, was on the verge of spoiling the game by awarding too many free kicks and kept breaking play up. One example was Mapanzu being fouled but KaiKai running clearly with the ball, only for the referee to bring back play for the foul. On 62 Crewe replaced Thomas with Moore. The I’ll tie my laces up trick was being used by the home side to prevent United making progress as the number of fouls increased. Nevitt was clattered into by home keeper Lawlor but it was a legitimate challenge by the keeper. Nevitt needing some attention before he could continue. O’Reilly won the latest in a series of soft free kicks for the home side but Powell fired the free kick wide. On 74 United replaced KaiKai with James Brophy. Crewe in quick succession replaced Dancey and O’Reilly with Pond and former U Shilow Tracey. Crewe also then replaced Hutchinson and Tezgel with Thibaut and Finney.
As the game entered its last few minutes, Referee Hair harshly booked Pelly Mapanzu, for fouling Thibault when in actual fact he had clearly won the ball. During the 6 minutes of stoppage time (I didn’t see the board go up), United had successive chances with Kell Watts heading a Brophy corner at goal saved by Lawlor, as the ball broke for Dom Ball his strike from 10 yards was cleared off the line, finally as the ball went up in the air, from 6 yards Nevitt headed goalwards for keeper Lawlor to save at full stretch. It was excellent goalkeeping but more chances not taken. The referee blew for full time with the final score 0-0 on 97.
There was a tense few minutes as we waited for the Crawley v Salford score. When it came through as 0-0 virtually all United fans raced onto the pitch in celebration, a couple with yellow smoke flares. It was a time of great celebration. At 70 I strolled onto the pitch allowing younger fans to lead the charge. For 20 odd minutes it was pat on the back time and a great time was had. Once the pitch was cleared there was the spectacular event of an emergency helicopter landing on the pitch as a home fan had been taken ill during the second half. Everybody at Cambridge United will wish the person well and a swift recovery. Once the helicopter took off, United were able to celebrate with medals, promotion boards and champagne aplenty. I felt a little sorry for home fans and players as the home team wanted to parade in front of their own fans as it was their last home game, but I’m afraid we took over the party.
In summary, despite a fine start it was not a vintage display but over the season United have fully earned promotion. Defensively we are sound in goalkeeper, back 4 and midfield. It is obvious to everyone we need to strengthen upfront. My star man goes to Neil Harris for his positive attitude throughout the season and his influence in making decent players that much better. Just think Gibbons, Ball, Knight and Bennett. Today the whole team backed each other up but next season will of course provide more testing games.
Ref Watch – Neil Hair – 5- it was obviously a difficult game for him with so much at stake. I thought the penalty was on the generous side and I was also of the opinion he could have played on a-bit more. Neil is an experienced match official who will have plenty of similar games in the future.