The latest in a current string of games against sides considered promotion contenders took place at the Abbey Stadium today. The men in Amber took on Notts County currently in 3rd place and pushed the U’s into 4th on Easter Monday. Another typical UK day which saw rain in the morning before the sun came out in the afternoon. Most noticeable though was a strong breeze blowing towards the NRE. A bumper crowd and best of the season of 7983 including 1036 from Nottingham prepared for the game. For the U’s there was one change with Shayne Lavery replacing Louis Appere who dropped to the bench.
United won the toss and played into the strong wind towards the South Stand, there was much anticipation and a great atmosphere. United were quickly on the attack and following a free kick, the ball landed in the six yard box, Lavery tried a shot which keeper Belshaw saved but the incoming Dom Ball headed home from a couple of yards for 1-0, it was the perfect start. United were soon on the attack again and Sullay KaiKai had an effort blocked. KaiKai then set up Lavery again who fired in a shot which again was blocked. Displaying great attacking prowess, Adam Mayor fired narrowly wide. The County defence were being run ragged and they struggled to clear the ball. Ben Knight slicing through the defence set up James Gibbons who also saw his effort cleared. Kell Watts then set up Pelly Mapanzu who fired at goal which was cleared by the overworked County defence. It was one way traffic.
In their efforts to keep in the game, County were committing a number of fouls, the big burly Ndlovu being guilty on a number of occasions as he repeatedly clattered into Watts and Jobe. At this stage referee Speedie was happy to play on or award the odd foul. United simply wouldn’t let up and on 28 came the second goal. After a throw in from Mayor the ball bounced in the six yard area, was flicked on by Mapanzu for Lavery to fire into the corner of the net for 2-0. A real strikers goal. Moments later it needed a low save from keeper Belshaw to deny Lavery from close range. United continued to run riot and on 33 following yet another foul, KaiKai swung over a free kick for Gibbons to chest down and fire on the volley into the roof of the net from 10 yards for 3-0. Liam Bennett was then cut down by Bedeau which earned the County man a yellow card.
On 40 came a big moment in the game when the United defence got in a tangle and as the ball was played back it was handled outside the area by Jake Eastwood. The referee appeared unsighted and allowed play to continue for a short time. However he brought play back and showed the red card to Eastwood. Several United fans have made their feelings known but as an experienced former referee, I did not consider the offence to deny a goal scoring opportunity. Yes he handled outside the area but there were the covering defenders. I think the referee made an honest mistake. The impact on the game was huge. United have to play a goalkeeper so Ben Hughes replaced the unlucky Ben Knight, the U’s now down to 10 men. The resulting free kick went over the crossbar. During the 6 added minutes young Hughes was clearly nervous, following a corner and a scramble in the United six yard box Ndlovu headed against the bar but the ball was cleared. Half time came at 3-0 with United having played brilliantly but playing the second half with 10 men would be a real challenge.
At half time County replaced Grant and Macari with Dennis and Luker. It would be fair to say that County had simply been overrun until the sending off. United though did have the strong wind behind them and tackled well to keep the visitors at bay. Lavery was fouled again by Bedeau. The free kick from Mayor was headed on by Watts for Mamadou Jobe to shoot wide. County forced an early corner which saw Bennett’s shoot wide. Lavery was still causing havoc in the County defence and was cut down again by Bedeau. Mayor sent over the free kick for Gibbons, somehow unmarked, to head home from 6 yards for 4-0. I could only feel for the County fans who were stunned. Straight away County replaced Kouhyar and Bedeau with Browne and Beck-Ray. County seemed to be struggling everywhere and despite lots of sideways passing were not really hurting the home team.
On 65 United replaced Lavery with Louis Appere, Lavery leaving to a standing ovation. County replaced Norbert with Hall. Ndlovu was up to his old tricks when fouling Jobe again. Referee Speedie not even speaking to this persistent offender. Palmer set up Beck-Ray who shot wide, it was 73 minutes on the clock and the visitors first real effort on goal. On 74 Appere tussled with a defender just outside the area, as Appere won the ball, Browne went down, the referee thought it a foul so Appere’s goal was disallowed. Beck Ray then cut down Appere and was yellow carded. Moments later Beck-Ray cut down Bennett for a free kick, the fouls were identical but no 2nd yellow card. On 83 United replaced KaiKai and Mayor with Korey Smith and Ben Purrington. United were tackling and chasing everywhere and not giving a misfiring County attack any chance at all.
Hall crossed for Ndlove to head against the outside of the post but Hughes had it covered. Dennis and Ndlovu had chances but were crowded out by the hardworking United defence. In the 4 minutes of stoppage time, the U’s played some excellent time management even winning a late corner. The referee blew for full time on 94, United winning well 4-0 and boy what a performance.
The U’s put in just about their best performance of the season in beating a very average Notts County team clearly not at their best. United overcame the sending off and after attacking so well in the first half, played and defended sensibly in the second half. Many players deserve special mention but my star man goes to James Gibbons for a truly outstanding effort.
Ref Watch -Ben Speedie – 6. A very experienced referee who had the game in his pocket for 40 minutes. The unfortunate sending off gave him a real match to referee. Fortunately for him, the fourth United goal took the sting out of the game. Although in general I thought he did OK, the sending off and his lenient attitude to some persistent offenders spoiled his performance.