It was a chilly but sunny (remember that) afternoon at the Abbey Stadium as the men in Amber prepared to take on Bristol Rovers. Despite the wet weather, the pitch as always looked good. A decent crowd of 6424 including 453 from the West Country were ready for this important game. For the U’s, manager Neil Harris recalled Ben Purrington, Dom Ball and Sullay KaiKai. It was also good to see Korey Smith on the bench.
Rovers won the toss and changed ends forcing the U’s to attack the NRE in the first half. This surprised me as the low sun would have been glaring into their defence. In an end to end start Louis Appere set up Kell Watts whose shot was blocked. Rovers on the break then saw Cavegn shoot at goal after good play from Leigh, Jake Eastwood in United’s goal saved well. Rovers though were guilty of some really poor challenges early on with Quigley fouling Jobe and Watts in quick succession. Referee Parsons deeming a talking too sufficient. James Brophy swung over a corner for KaiKai to head over. Leigh of Rovers then was late in tackling James Gibbons earning the latest in a lecture from the referee. To cause further frustration Cavegn slid in late on Ben Knight leaving the United player on the ground. This was five poor challenges in the first 25 minutes, referee Parsons again just speaking to the offender. The offending player and referee were both roundly booed.
In an exciting move Shane McLoughlin set up Knight for a snapshot from around 10 yards. Keeper Brad Young saving well. The U’s were getting on top and were rewarded on 34 when following good play from Purrington, Appere and KaiKai, the ball was played across the area for Ben Knight to blast home into the corner for 1-0, it had been coming. Referee Parsons was losing any friends at the Abbey for yellow carding Ben Purrington for what looked a routine tackle on Akhamrich. This level of consistency was not in keeping with a number of poor fouls committed earlier. Sullay KaiKai then had a golden chance to make it 2 but shot wide from the left of the goal with only the keeper to beat. He was about 8 yards out and should have scored.
In the 2 minutes of stoppage time Rovers had a long throw which brought about some theatrical play in the home penalty area. I was amazed, like many others, when the referee pointed to the spot. It was a very poor decision indeed and an experienced referee should have seen the gamesmanship involved. Despite any protest, Quigley blasted the ball home for 1-1. It was very unfair and the referee blew for half time. The referee left the field to loud booing from all 4 sides of the ground.
Rovers replaced Cavegn with Harrison at half time. Cavegn had been struggling since sliding over midway through the first half. United were quickly out of the blocks with Knight having a shot blocked. The U’s forced a couple of corners, the second of which saw Watts head at goal but it was cleared off the line with Appere only inches away from scoring. In a rare break Harrison hit a terrific shot from outside the box which brought a good save from Eastwood in the home goal. Moments later following another corner from Brophy, Kilgour pulled back Jobe for the referee to award another penalty kick. Knight belted the ball into the roof of the net in one of the best penalties that you will see. United now led 2-1. I am not sure if Rovers manager Evans or his assistant Raynor was shown the yellow card following the penalty incident. Gibbons was then fouled by Sparkes who was booked on 59. On 65 Rovers replaced Leigh and De-Haviland with Smallwood and Senior.
Moments later Pelly Mapanzu replaced Dom Ball, Ball limping off. Sean Raggett also came on for Ben Knight, Tuesdays game also being a consideration. James Gibbons fired just over as the U’s played some good football. Harrison was then booked for a late tackle on Kell Watts, referee Parsons now showing some authority. Jack Sparkes then fired over for Rovers in a breakaway. On 77 Elliott Nevitt replaced Appere who had got through plenty of work again. It was good to see Korey Smith on for McLoughlin with United’s strength in depth being for all to see. Then following a long throw, Raggett headed on for Watts to head over the keeper and into the corner for 3-1. It was well made but really poor defending. On 80 Rovers replaced Mola with Thompson-Sommers. The dangerous Promise Omichere then replaced Quigley.
Brophy was racing down the wing and was cut down by Kilgour who got himself booked. On 84 Shayne Lavery replaced Sullay KaiKai. Rovers attacked again which ended up with Akhamrich heading straight at Eastwood. Sparkes then crossed for Harrison to head wide with the alert Eastwood watching carefully. I was then staggered to see 10 minutes of added time indicated. For that time I would have expected a serious injury rather than some substitutions and a couple of breaks in play. United saw out the game well with Omichere the latest in the book for a foul on Watts. Omochere then set up Akhamrich but his shot was well off target. A late corner came to nothing for Rovers when referee Parsons blew on 111 minutes. United winning 3-1.
The upset at Harrogate last week has been put to bed with follow up wins at Crawley 3-0 and this 3-1 win against a stronger Rovers team than we saw at the start of the season. United played with real polish and looked a really good side. This despite a very poor decision from the referee to award a soft penalty kick. United looked strong both with the starting team and those on the bench. Special mentions to James Brophy and Ben Knight but star man was Kell Watts with the whole United defence standing up well against physical opponents.
Ref Watch – Thomas Parsons – 5. An odd performance from today’s referee. Simply far too relaxed in the first half when some yellow cards could have been used more. He bucked up in the second half though. The penalty decision to Rovers was very poor and as for 10 minutes stoppage time………
Richard Stephen