It was a pleasant if blustery day at the Abbey Stadium as the men in Amber took on Blackpool. Both teams had changed kits today, United lining up in an impressive white strip with amber & black shapes in recognition of Cambridge icon, founding member of Pink Floyd- Sid Barrett. Blackpool lined up in their change kit of blue/black stripes. For the U’s there were 4 changes from the midweek victory over Northampton with Jake Eastwood, skipper Dom Ball, Ben Knight and a most welcome return to Liam Bennett. A crowd of 7295 including 559 from Lancashire looked forward to the game.
United won the toss and chose to attack the south stand end and play into quite a strong wind. Blackpool kicked off and were soon on the attack with Bowler having a shot blocked. Moments later there was a real scare as making the most of the strong breeze, Munroe broke down the wing and crossed into the danger area, there was real panic in the United back 4 as Bloxham had 2 stabs at goal from less than 6 yards out. Fortunately United were back in numbers and Zak Bradshaw was able to clear for a corner. The visitors won 3 corners before a big moment in the game. Following the referee awarding a free kick to United, the Blackpool skipper took a kick at Pelly Mapanzu and appeared to cuff him around the side of the head. In the melee that followed he appeared to push Dom Ball. There was much jostling and when referee Sandoe intervened he showed the offender George Honeyman the red card and sent him off. Whatever your thoughts, the Blackpool players actions were unnecessary and he let his team and fans down by getting sent off after just 6 minutes.
The game then became fractious as both sides looked to take advantage of the situation. There were a number of silly fouls in the next few minutes for both sides. The referee certainly had his hands full. Shortly after following a corner, Gassan Ahadme headed wide. The poor tackles continued and the referee was having trouble keeping control of the game. The visitors did not help by delaying the game as much as they could at throw ins, free and goal kicks. The referee should prevent this as he can clearly indicate time wasting by giving a clear signal of 5 seconds or else. Regretfully the referee did not use this to its effect or to help himself. Sullay Kaikai broke down the left wing and crossed to the far post, Ben Knight had a free header but didn’t get enough power behind it and Peacock-Farrell in the visitors goal saved easily. That should really have been a goal. Liam Bennett then shot high and wide. At the half hour stage United had plenty of possession but I felt there was too much sideways, backwards and negative passing.
Ben Knight then set up Sullay KaiKai who had his effort blocked. Issac Heath was set free down the left wing but was clearly tripped and offender Oliver Casey was booked. KaiKai having a fine game on the wing crossed for Kell Watts to head over. Moments later Watts fired in a terrific shot from the edge of the box which bought a fine save low down by Peacock-Farrell pushing the ball wide for a corner. The chances were mounting up with the Blackpool defence working overtime but holding firm. Mapanzu set up Kaikai who drilled a shot wide, Dom Ball fired high and wide with Zak Bradshaw heading wide from a corner. The chances were coming and….going.
Ben Knight shot just over, then Liam Bennett crossed for Ahadme to head only just wide. Knight fired in another effort which was blocked. Then right on half time KaiKai crossed for Ahadme to head at goal but the alert Peacock- Farrell saved well. Somehow it was 0-0 at half time. The U’s had plenty of possession but the visitors were defending well
United replaced Mapanzu with Owen Moxon before the second half began. United were straight on the attack forcing early corners with Knight crossing for Watts to have his header cleared. Another corner saw Dom Ball fire over from the edge of the box. On 49, Moxon crossed for Ahadme to head powerfully at goal only kept out by a quite brilliant save from Peacock-Farrell. Kaikai sent over the resulting corner for Ahadme to head wide. Zak Bradshaw was coming more into the game with some fine wing play in front of the Habbin. Ahadme returned the favour by crossing for Bradshaw to head wide. On 52 Blackpool replaced Bloxham with former U Hayden Coulson. The chances continued to come and go with Knight’s latest effort being blocked and KaiKai setting up the busy Knight who shot wide.
On 60 United replaced Heath with Shayne Lavery. A further corner saw Kaikai shoot over. In a rare break, after racing half of the pitch and being set up by Morgan, Yates fired in a good shot, well saved by the alert Eastwood. On 69 Blackpool replaced Yates and Bowler with Charles and Niskanen. United continued to attack and the visitors continued to defend well. Moxon crossed for the lively Ahadme to head at goal with Peacock-Farrell saving well again. The clock was running down when United struck on 82. Ben Knight with some clever play set up Ahadme who fired in from 12 yards, the ball deflecting in off Munroe for 1-0. It was a great relief after such constant pressure. United on 84 replaced Knight with Bangura-Williams. KaiKai fouled Coulson on 88 to earn a yellow card. Bradshaw crossed for Ahadme to head at goal, it looked goalbound but Peacock-Farrell pulled off another outstanding save. Brown of Blackpool fired well over near the end before the U’s saw out the 4 minutes of stoppage time to win 1-0.
It most certainly wasn’t a classic but it was not United’s fault that the visiting captain pressed the self destruct button on 6 minutes. There was plenty of possession and clever passing but United occasionally overplayed the ball. However, when all seemed lost, United never gave up and the winning goal was no more than deserved.
Star Player – Zak Bradshaw, in one of his best performances for United, he laid on a number of chances, took on defenders and crossed the ball well. KaiKai and the returning Bennett were also worthy of mention
Ref Watch – Lewis Sandoe – 6 A reasonable game and I’m sure he had to be on his toes following an early red card. Tried to keep the game going but I felt he allowed too much time wasting by the visitors. Will learn from this experience.