In very wet and windy conditions the men in amber lined up to take on the Pilgrims of Plymouth Argyle. Despite the poor weather an excellent crowd of 7756 including 1036 from Devon prepared for the game. For the U’s there were two changes from Tuesday nights draw with Wycombe Wanderers, with Louis Appere and Raees Bangura-Williams (BW) returning. Sadly skipper Dom Ball and centre forward Gassan Ahadme were missing through injury, although close season signing from Barnet, Callum Stead was on the bench for the first time.
Before the game as a former RAF Flight Sergeant I was privileged to help sell poppies on behalf of the RBL. Many people were very generous indeed. You will have also seen us before kick off, line up around the centre circle with the players and the outstanding air cadets from 104 City of Cambridge Squadron. The playing of the last post is very moving indeed.
United won the toss and chose to kick towards the south stand. Plymouth kicked off toward the NRE and had a very strong wind and the driving rain behind them. Despite the strong breeze, United fashioned the first chance when Louis Appere fired in from the left for keeper Cooper to save low down. Mitchell of Argyle was then yellow carded for a foul on KaiKai. Moments later KaiKai himself was booked for simulation after going down in the box. Those closer than me said it was the correct decision. Then KaiKai crossed for Kell Watts to head wide. In forcing a corner, United’s Ben Knight had a shot which was cleared. United playing some decent stuff had another chance on 19 when Knight sent over a corner for Appere to head narrowly over. United had a let off on 25 as the visitors came more into the game when White fired in an effort saved low down by Jake Eastwood. As Eastwood pushed the shot away, following up Evans fired against the post the rebound safely gathered by the home keeper.
The visitors were now using the wind to their advantage and got on top, moments later Mitchell set up Pepple who fired just over. Bakinson of Argyle was booked for a foul on KaiKai. Playing well on the wing, KaiKai fired over following a pass from George Hoddle. In an end to end game White passed to Pepple whose effort was well saved by Eastwood. Appere then headed on for BW to shoot narrowly wide. United appeared to be holding on comfortably but were undone on 42 following a corner which saw in similar circumstances to Tuesday a headed own goal this time by Appere for 0-1. I did think there was a foul on Liam Bennett missed by the referee who was standing on the edge of the area. Ben Knight then shot wide as United looked to get back in the game. One minute of added time came to nothing and at half time the visitors were winning 1-0.
Despite having the weather advantage it was Plymouth who started the second half the brighter. Bakinson set up White who had his shot cleared. White though attacked again moments later and jinked his way into the box, he played the ball onto the edge of the box and Amaechi fired home via a deflection past the unsighted Eastwood for 0-2. Not the restart we wanted. As appears to be the case now United attacked with purpose. Bennet crossed for BW to shot at goal for Cooper to save. Then following another effort tipped wide by Cooper, at the far post KaiKai stuck out a leg and fired home from six yards for 1-2. United were now on top but on 62 the home team replaced Hoddle and BW with Shayne Lavery and Owen Moxon. In driving rain the game was now at its pulsating best as both sides went for it.
Moments later United had a scare when following a cross to the far post, Evans headed the ball back into danger for Pepple to head just wide. Lavery was in to his game already and took little time to worry the Argyle defence. Lavery had a couple of efforts. One cleared the other saved low down by Murphy. On 68 Argyle replaced Amaechi with Watts. Lavery looking in top form ran at the defence and passed to KaiKai who had his effort blocked. United had a great chance to equalise on 71 when Mapanzu and KaiKai set up a chance but Appere mis-kicked in front of goal. United were made to pay when Eastwood trying to save a fast break pulled down Evans to concede a penalty on 74. Pepple sent Eastwood the wrong way to score and make it 1-3. United now had it all to do.
United to their credit got right back in the game with a couple of corners, Moxon heading a chance wide. On 78 Argyle replaced MacKenzie with Hartridge and the U’s changed Stead for Mapanzu. It was Callum’s first game since an injury in late July. Argyle then changed Sorinola and Bakinson with Edwards and Ibrahim. Back on the offensive, the U’s were having a real go and were rewarded on 86 when Zak Bradshaw headed back across goal for Lavery to power in another header for 2-3. Both Knight and Bennett had shots cleared. Lavery even had his shirt pulled off following the latest corner. Once again the referee was too far from the set piece. Knight and Moxon both had further efforts with Cooper working overtime in the visitors goal. Heffernan was booked for a foul on Watts and referee Barlow blew for full time. I did think we had longer because of the usual time wasting tactics the referee kept warning the visitors about, but nothing apart from the indicated 5 minutes was added.
So in difficult conditions I thought both teams served up an exciting game. I thought a draw would have been a fair result. We must not forget that Plymouth were top of the table barely a couple of weeks ago. An unfortunate own goal, a deflection and a penalty hurt the U’s today. We are conceding too many goals and seem to come alive once we are chasing the game. However after again playing one of the leading teams in the division, United are not doing bad. Due to EFL nonsense we now face 5 out of our next 6 games away from home !!!
Star Man – today I give this to Shayne Lavery who looked dangerous every time he got near the ball. His goal was due reward for an outstanding effort. Sullay KaiKai also did well,
Ref Watch – Michael Barlow – 6. In general I thought he did quite well in very challenging conditions. His movement around the pitch was good and he correctly picked up most offences. I do wish though that at corners referees took up position on the goal line opposite the side of the corner being taken, thereby seeing more contact in the six yard box. The players could help by behaving of course.