Another big crowd, a great atmosphere plus the Sky TV cameras were at the Abbey Stadium tonight to see the men in amber take on fellow promotion rivals Swindon Town. So 7366 including 1042 from Wiltshire made ready for this floodlit game. The U’s were unchanged but welcomed back Sullay KaiKai and George Hoddle back to the bench.
On a pleasant evening, United lost the toss again so Swindon made the U’s play towards the NRE in the first half. It felt like a big game tonight with lots at stake, and the U’s were right into it from the kick off. In an early break Ben Knight set up Adam Mayor on the left, Mayor lashing his shot from 15 yards into the side netting. The U’s oozed confidence and the inter passing was already of a high standard. James Brophy then set up Knight who fired over. Then as the U’s simply outplaying their opponents, saw James Gibbons cross for Liam Bennett to head just wide. As the U’s really played some impressive stuff, the passing between Brophy, Knight and Mayor had the visitors on the run and defending in numbers. Knight then set up Brophy who fired over from just outside the box. Pelly Mapanzu then looked to be tripped in the box for what looked like a penalty, referee Corlett waved protests away. I’ve seen them given.
Then United struck on 21 as the home team toyed with their opponents which saw Gibbons beat defenders and cross for Knight to fire home from 12 yards for 1-0 it had been coming. Almost a repeat moments later when Louis Appere crossed for Knight in a similar position to fire over the crossbar. Gibbons with oceans of space on the left then crossed for Brophy who fired in another effort, well saved low down by giant keeper Conner Ripley. United were really on song but really needed a second goal, saw Brophy have another effort blocked. However in a fast break Fletcher Holman raced down the right, outpacing Kell Watts, cutting into the penalty before bring out a brilliant low save from the under employed Jake Eastwood. Following a corner Aaron Drinan head wide after Will Wright had crossed the ball.
Mapanzu then set up Knight who fired at goal, his powerful shot well saved by the busy Ripley. Brophy had a further effort which took a deflection and wrong footed Ripley but rolled the wrong side of the post, that was close. In the two minutes of stoppage time, the dangerous Drinan fired high and wide following a Jake Batty corner. Half time came at 1-0. It really could have been 3 or 4 with United playing some of their best football of the season. We needed a second goal but when would it come.
United carried on with their impressive form towards the South Stand with Dom Ball shooting narrowly wide following a Brophy corner. Liam Bennett then set up Knight who went on a breathtaking run through a number of defenders but with the goal at his mercy, his shot forced a brilliant save from the impressive Ripley. United won a number of corners as they forced back the visitors but without further success. Then on 59, Swindon made three changes with Wright, Nichols and Kilkenny making way for Borland, Bodin and McGregor. The U’s did not let up though and following another Brophy corner, Gibbons headed narrowly wide. As the corner count continued to rise, Mamadou Jobe shot over following the latest Brophy corner. On 74 Swindon replaced Palmer and Holman with Olakigbe and Scanlon. United still pressed but could not find that second goal. On 81 United replaced Knight and Appere with Shayne Lavery and Sullay KaiKai.
Borland of Swindon was booked for a nasty foul from behind which left Lavery in a heap. The Swindon man lucky to only see yellow. On 88 United replaced Brophy with George Hoddle making a welcome return to the squad. Hoddle set up the busy Liam Bennett who cut into the box and forced another fine save from the overworked Ripley. Then Gibbons received the ball and fired over from outside the box. Then on 89 United were made to pay for missing so many chances. Bodin set the ball out to the right for McGregor to shoot at goal, which appeared to deflect off Gibbons, wrong foot Eastwood and go into the corner of the net for 1-1. It was hard to believe, but we must take our chances.
To give the U’s credit they got straight back on the attack with Mapanzu setting up Lavery, his effort once again saved by the outstanding Ripley. KaiKai then set up Lavery who fired wide. On 93, United replaced Mapanzu with Elliott Nevitt. As another cross came over Jobe headed goalwards for Lavery to have his acrobatic shot saved again by Ripley. Even right at the end of the game Mayor fired at goal with the ball arrowing towards goal, a defender stuck out a Leg to save the day. Referee Corlett blew for full time on 98.
The stats had United on 20 shots to 4 with 6 on target. It had been a terrific passing display with football of league 1 level. As in recent weeks though, that final goal touch was still missing. So many players played well that I give star man to 3 impressive players, Adam Mayor, Ben Knight and Liam Bennett although just about all of the team put in a great shift. We have now played MK Dons, Salford and Swindon in recent weeks and played well against all three. This team does have what it takes but needs those chances to be taken. Cheltenham away on Easter Monday awaits with Notts County arriving in a week or so. All big games now.
Ref Watch – Matt Corlett – 7 I thought overall he had a good game and did his best to keep this fast paced game going. United did have a couple of shouts for a penalty, one in each half, the type of which I have seen given to our opposition. However he kept up with play well, was in charge and looks a fine prospect.