A nice spring evening in front of a nearly full house at the Abbey Stadium, saw the men in Amber take on play off contenders Grimsby Town. The visitors have had some good results recently and would be a tough team to beat. An excellent crowd of 7779 including 1032 from Lincolnshire made ready for the game. For the U’s Louis Appere replaced the sadly injured Shayne Lavery, goalkeeper Jake Eastwood also returned replacing impressive loanee Jack Walton. The atmosphere was brilliant and the stage was set.
United won the toss and in fair conditions, played towards the South Stand in the first half. Pelly Mapanzu made the first chance but his close range shot was blocked. The visitors who have hit form recently, showed in the early stages that they could pass the ball freely and were also winning a number of headers. United’s defence not quite at its best. Big centre forward Andy Cook gave United a scare early on when a flick on, set him clear but he fired wide from the edge of the box. Moments later great wing play from Adam Mayor on the left cut the ball back for Sullay KaiKai who hit his shot only just wide into the side netting. Just after there was a moment of real danger as the U’s defence overplayed the ball on the edge of their own area and a chance fell to the unmarked Green but his goal bound shot was well saved by Eastwood, that was a let off.
However the U’s who had been guilty of some misplaced passes went behind on 22. Reece Staunton who had too much room, crossed from outside the box for Green to head home brilliantly beating Eastwood, his header planted over the keeper to make the score 0-1. United were not yet playing to their strengths and a strong visiting midfield stifled some of the home teams play. The U’s though went about their business and forced a couple of corners in quick succession. The second saw KaiKai send over a cross which Jobe got a foot too, but the ball rebounded back into play off the far post. Close. United were making their presence known now and were growing in confidence. Appere holding up the ball well, played it out to Mayor who beat the full back and crossed for the unmarked Ben Knight to side foot the ball into the corner of the net for 1-1. United were now back on equal terms and playing some good stuff again.
Referee Parsons had awarded a number of free kicks but I thought he could have yellow carded Grimsby defenders for some poor tackles. Sullay KaiKai in rampaging form for example, was cut down a couple of times when at full pace. For some reason, visiting keeper Jackson Smith appeared to be time wasting at any opportunity when in control of the ball and was reprimanded by the referee to get a move on. The game was delicately poised with both teams showing their strengths and there was much work for both sides to do, should they want the points. Half time came at 0-0.
The second half kicked off with the U’s playing towards the NRE. The visitors, still a confident side had the first chance with Cook firing wide. James Gibbons then set up Mayor who fired high and wide. Grimsby then had a couple of chances with Kabila firing over followed moments later by Green having an effort blocked. Shortly after in a fine move, Liam Bennett passed the ball forward which saw KaiKai tripped in the area, for a penalty to be awarded. Offender Kacurri was yellow carded with United players and supporters convinced in should have been red. On viewing the incident, the referee got it spot on. However Ben Knight side footed the penalty with keeper Smith sticking out a foot diverting the spot kick onto the post and clear. It was a big moment in the game.
Mapanzu took on a couple of defenders but fired over. Knight then took on his usual mazy run to set up Mayor to fire just over. On 68 Grimsby replaced Turi and Green with Vernam and Walker. On a break Odour had a further effort for the visitors. Vernam then crossed the ball and the dangerous Cook headed narrowly wide. On 74 United replaced Mapanzu and Appere with Kory Smith and Elliott Nevitt. Amaluzor fired wide for the visitors as the game swung end to end. On 80 James Brophy replaced Mayor. On 89 Warren replaced Odour for the visitors. Nevitt set up the busy Bennett whose shot from the right was blocked in the area. 8 minutes of stoppage time were indicated with both sides pressing for the winner. On 93 Sweeney replaced Staunton for Grimsby.
Tragedy struck on 94 minutes as the U’s did not clear their lines properly and as Gibbons attempted to head the ball clear, keeper Eastwood arrived a fraction too late and the ball fell kindly for McJannet to force the ball home from close range for 1-2. Glen McConnell replaced Bennett on 95 with United having late chances with Brophy’s effort being blocked. KaiKai set up Knight but his effort too was blocked. The referee blew for time on 100 minutes with the visitors celebrating a big win for them.
I must admit I had forgotten what it was like to lose at home but tonight was a reminder of what happens when you don’t take chances and the late in the game curse struck again. Grimsby scored late at their place too. Star man for me was Sullay KaiKai closely followed by Liam Bennett. I thought a draw was a fair result but we have to rise again against Barrow and then at Crewe. We’ve had a great season so time to really give the lads our support.
Ref Watch – Jacob Miles – 7. Overall a fair performance with the majority of decisions correct. I thought he could have shown better protection for Knight and KaiKai but he did try to let the game flow. A little on the lenient side but one for the future.