After early fog it was bright and very sunny as spring was in the air at the Abbey stadium as the men in Amber prepared to take on Salford City. It was a 12:30 kick off with sky tv showing the game live. For the U’s the only change was James Brophy returning in place of Korey Smith who dropped to the bench. The bench also had a solid look about it as United were nearly back at full strength. Today’s attendance was 6633 with only 190 making the trip from greater Manchester.
The visitors won the toss and made United play towards the NRE in the first half. I was surprised as the visitors would be playing into the strong sunshine. Salford won an early corner but the ball was quickly cleared. Following a United corner, Kell Watts played the ball across the face of the NRE goal, James Gibbons fired in, his shot going narrowly wide, as the net moved, many on the other side of the ground thought that the U’s had actually taken the lead. The game was very cagey as the ball was played end to end. United looked better on the break and when keeping the ball on the ground. Mnoga of Salford was yellow carded on 22 for a poor foul on James Brophy. United were on top and following a Brophy corner, Mamadou Jobe headed goal wards but it was comfortable for visiting keeper Young. United continued on the offensive and whilst mainly defending, the visitors were pushing their luck with the number of fouls they were conceding.
The dangerous Carl Stockton set up Butcher but his shot was blocked. Ben Knight enjoying more possession then set up Sullay KaiKai who raced towards goal, as he shot at goal, defender Awe stock a long leg out, injuring himself which took the sting out of the shot and the effort was saved at full stretch by Young. Moments later Salford replaced Awe with Cooper. Louis Appere then set up KaiKai again whose close range effort drifted just wide of goal. Pelly Mapanzu then set up KaiKai again, but from a good position he fired high and wide. In the 3 minutes of stoppage time Mapanzu fired in a shot which again was close but wide after being set up by Dom Ball. Halt time came at 0-0, the U’s though should really be in front.
United were straight into it in the second half with Appere being fouled by Oluwo. Brophy floated over the cross with James Gibbons climbing highest to score with a fine header to make it 1-0 on 49. Brophy then fired in a shot which was saved in the bottom corner by Young was was having a busy game but he was on very good form. On 54 Salford replaced Mnoga, Stockton and Butcher with Udoh, Borini and Ehibhatiomhan. After attacking the defence on the left side, Brophy cut in on 56 and fired in another effort, well saved at full stretch by Young. KaiKai then hit a high shot from the edge of the box tipped over by Young. The game still very close, was being spoilt by a number of free kicks as referee Dale tried hard to keep in control. Gibbons was cut down by Grant and the visitor was yellow carded for a poor challenge.
On 68 United replaced, Appere, KaiKai and Brophy with Adam Mayor, Korey Smith and Shayne Lavery. An altercation between Austerfield and Mapanzu earned the United midfielder a yellow on 70. In a break, Borini set up Ehibhatiomhan, his effort being well saved low down by Eastwood in the United goal. Following a corner Ehibhatiomhan then shot high and wide. Austerfield then set up Grayson his effort very well saved by Eastwood who spread himself well. There followed a very poor challenge on Gibbons from Borini which led to quite a set too. This involved a number of players and I thought it a red card for the Salford man’s poor challenge. However the referee may have been swayed by the number of players getting involved and booked Gibbons of United and Grayson and Borini of Salford. Borini being a lucky man.
On 84 Salford replaced Grayson with Longelo. On a race on goal Lavery looked certain to score but as he raced into the area, he mistimed his shot which was saved low down by Young. Mapanzu was then pulled down in the area with what looked a certain penalty but amazingly play was allowed to continue. There were 6 minutes of stoppage time and still plenty to play for. Borini had a couple of chances, one being blocked the other he headed over. Mapanzu was injured after a late challenge but was able to continue after treatment. Longelo shot wide before he headed another chance straight at Eastwood. Lavery was then cut down by Oluwo before the referee blew for full time on 99 with United winning 1-0.
Yes it had been a tight game but United were clearly the better side and another goal would have been a fairer reflection on the game. United should have had a penalty when Mapanzu was clearly fouled. What is it that gives other teams penalties at the Abbey but not the U’s. A master performance from James Gibbons made him star man. There were also great contributions all over the pitch. It’s Barnet away next week who did us a favour today winning at MK Dons. Barnet will be tough but they lost at home to Newport County recently. The U’s are in fine form now and will have 1800 of our finest at The Hive.
Ref Watch – Alan Dale -7, all in all not a bad performance at all. Great level of fitness and always up with play. I’ve docked him marks though, as I thought the U’s had a straightforward penalty turned down plus Salford were very lucky to have 11 men on at the end.