Any reference to U’s is for Cambridge United……..Col U will have to do for the opposition!
Starting line up: Eastwood in goal, back 4 of Purrington, Watts, Jobe and Gibbons at the back, Brophy, Mpanzu, McLoughlin, Knight in the middle, Kaikai and Appere up front.
As usual I missed the early goal, but the wonder of the highlights when I got home mean I know what happened…..after some early U’s pressure attacking the NRE the ball fell for a Knight shot probably going wide until Watts flicked it goalwards and into the net. Or did it just hit him and luckily deflected into the goal? Whatever the truth U’s were a goal up after 3 minutes.
Col U looked to pass the ball around quickly, and looked dangerous until the final third. The only danger came when Eastwood took too long over a back pass and the ball was charged down but was cleared.
Gibbons tried his luck from 25 yards, the ball clearing the bar by a foot or so.
A Col U break allowed a low cross in front of our goal, Jobe did well to put the ball out otherwise it would have been a tap in equaliser.
U’s forced a corner from a low cross, from which the ball fell for Jobe to shoot from 6 yards, unfortunately it went way over the bar.
Col U got a pull back from the bye line, Jobe’s attempted block put the ball in the air, Watts tried to clear it but the ball looped up to the back post where Payne was on hand to nod into the open goal. 1-1 on 29 minutes.
U’s responded with some good play down our left by Kaikai, he crossed to find Brophy on the other side who cut in and curled a shot past the keeper from around 22 yards, but the ball hit the inside of the post and deflected away behind the keeper. The ball was half cleared and eventually Knight had a shot deflected behind.
Half time: 1-1. 50/50 draw ticket 10295 won £538.
Recently we have been better in the second half, but not on this night. Col U seemed to be able to run through our midfield and defence with no-one able to make a decent tackle, only a good reaction save by Eastwood stopped them scoring.
Soon after a hopeful Col U ball was being shepherded out by Jobe in front of the North Habbin, but somehow their forward got the better of him to take the ball away and bare down on goal but Eastwood came out to smother the ball, both players being injured and requiring treatment. Goalkeepers don’t have to go off for 30 seconds, but I thought outfield players did. Not on this occasion!
U’s attacks were very limited, Appere tried a shot on the turn which forced a corner from which Watts tried a close in shot from a near post flick on which went wide.
Col U almost scored when a good shot hit the bar, soon after Kaikai conceded a free kick following a high boot, the 25 yard shot turned over by Eastwood.
Bennett, Smith and Lavery came on for Purrington, Brophy and Appere on 71 minutes.
U’s managed to win a corner on 87, a near post flick on fell for Mpanzu to set up Gibbons, but from about 8 yards he shot way over.
9 minutes of added time came and went with little action.
Final score: 1-1.
6764 saw the match, of which 1032 were Col U fans.
The early goal should have settled any nerves, but Col U looked a decent side. They were quick and accurate when passing, and strong on the ball.
I thought we shaded the first half by making better chances, Brophy very unlucky not to score when his shot hit the inside of the post, Col u rarely troubled Eastwood.
The second half was different, their keeper having a fairly easy time whereas Eastwood had to make a number of saves. Too many U’s players looked off the pace/lethargic, and there were far too many individual errors. Col U did press quite well, and tended to put 2 defenders on Knight and Kaikai, so we should have had free players, but we rarely found them!
Our substitutes were unable to change the game greatly, but did steady the ship for the final 20 minutes or so.
I suppose a point when you’ve played poorly is not bad. Only Swindon of the top side got a win, Bromley and MK Dons drew, while Notts County and Salford lost. Salford lost 1-3 at home to bottom club Newport County.
On to Saturday and who do we play? Away to bottom club Newport County…..and we know what happens when U’s play the bottom club! Hopefully lightening will not stike twice!