A lunchtime kick off with the men in Amber needing to win and yes rely on other results. United at least were home to FGR who had finished bottom of the table and had already been relegated, they appeared today dressed in their environmentally friendly pink kit. Morecambe at Exeter and MK Dons at Burton Albion were other important results to look out for. It was a pleasant sunny day, an unchanged United side lined up at a sold out Abbey Stadium with 7493 attending. This included around 260 very loyal supporters from Gloucestershire. United kicked off towards the south stand, today full of United fans. The atmosphere was terrific and the fans had certainly got behind the team. In view of the coronation weekend, we were all invited to stand and sing the National anthem. Stirring stuff indeed.
The U’s were quickly into their stride and forced an early corner, their were early shouts for a penalty but referee Toner did not agree. Jack Lankaster fired another effort over before Liam Bennett was crunched by a late tackle, after treatment he was OK to continue. Lankaster had another effort blocked before Bennett getting some tough treatment was felled again. United forced a couple of corners with Michael Morrison being knocked over following a heavy challenge. The home side were running the game completely against a side seemingly limited in ability and quite happy to pass the ball amongst themselves at the back. Following a McGrandles corner on 25, the U’s took the lead. As the ball fired towards the far post over the keeper, Harrison Dunk got on the end of the cross and knocked the ball back into goal via a deflection from a defender for 1-0. The stadium erupted and the sense of relief was quite noticeable.
FGR were being outplayed and seemed to struggle to put anything positive together. However in their first attack of the game, Bunker lashed a shot just wide on 28. Clearly feeling the effects of an earlier challenge, Michael Morrison went down in discomfort. He was replaced by Fejiri Okenabirhie a striker for a defender. United looked a little unbalanced and the visitors passed the ball around nicely but lacked any punch to cause a problem. Then following a good build up, United struck their second. The ball was played into the area and played on by Jack Lankaster who passed a high ball to the right of goal about 15 yards out. As the ball dropped Sam Smith fired in a shot across goal over keeper Doohan and into the far corner for 2-0. It was a magnificent effort and older supporters will remember a similar effort from Marco Van Basten for the talented Dutch team in the 1988 European Championship final.
United could not relax but were nearly caught out moments later when Robson crossed for Bernard to head against the crossbar from around 6 yards, it was a let off but in reality FGR’s only real effort in the whole game. As the visitors tried to get back into the game, Brown fired in an effort across goal but the effort was cleared. Garrick then fired an effort well wide. The visitors final pass was letting them down badly. Bunker tried another effort with the momentum with the away team, but he screwed his shot well wide. Half time arrived at 2-0 with the U’s generally on top with the visitors trying to make a game of it but their passing and shooting was poor.
The second half kicked off with the U’s firing towards the home NRE and passing nicely. Other results at this stage looked favourable but their was still much to play for. Harvey Knibbs fired in a shot that was cleared before Harrison Dunk tried a left foot shot which was charged down. Fejiri Okenabirhie fired high and wide next but really should have done better. Jack Lankaster found himself free in the area and fired in a shot saved low down by Doohan. FGR then replaced Brown and Bernard with Peart-Harris and O’Keefe. Sam Smith had an effort blocked as the home side had the time and space to run the visitors ragged. Following a corner Lankaster fired an effort wide following good work by Harvey Knibbs, it was close but should have been 3-0. Savage then replaced McGeouch for the visitors.
George Thomas then replaced Jack Lankaster for the U’s on 68. FGR were conceding a number of free kicks with the tricky Okenabirhie being brought down on a number of occasions. Bunker of FGR was the first in the book for fouling the United man. Moments later Cooper was booked for a foul on Sam Smith. As the game edged towards the end in a very low gear, the U’s happy with their lead and FGR not really making an impression, the game burst into life when Okenabirhie looked certain to score but fired over. More changes followed for FGR with McKenzie and Sanniola replacing O’Brian and Robson. The game ground to a halt after 4 minutes of stoppage time and the U’s were worthy winners at 2-0. Visitors FGR had displayed all the reasons why they were bottom of the table despite a spirited effort just before half time.
We all waited in anticipation, we knew MK Dons were drawing at Burton and that Morecambe were losing 3-1 at Exeter. Minutes later euphoria as news came through that MK Dons had drawn 0-0 and with Morecambe losing the celebrations started. Any attempt to keep supporters off the pitch was wasted and pitch side gates were opened and probably 1,000 people got on the pitch to celebrate with the players. It was a touch premature as Morecambe were in fact playing 14 minutes of stoppage time but lost 3-2 and the announcement was made that the U’s were staying up. The celebrations continued as the fans danced on the pitch and it truly was a great feeling. Eventually following a sensible period, supporters left the pitch and the players came out to acknowledge their followers.
In truth we had come mighty close to going down, but our recent form had shown we could be a decent side. The season had been ruined by so many long term injuries that at times had seen as many as 10 first team players out. Sensible January signings plus the return of some players from injury had made a huge difference. In truth on the day today injuries had robbed us of Lloyd Jones. George Williams, Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Shilow Tracey, Adam May and Steve Seddon. Injuries were never far away. Doubtless the team will be strengthened in the summer but against the odds we had stayed in league 1, it really was the great escape. Enjoy the summer we all played our part.