A reminder that my PC keyboard has a virus which prevent me correctly spelling that place up the A1. If I try to type it correctly it comes out as Peterboring. If I use their nickname it comes out as Pish, which according to Google is urine. If you are Scottish you’ll know it is a term for a “negative vibe”. All a bit unfortunate when I am writing to Spice Girl Victoria! The best I can do is P’boro (which does not mean Pee on boro….or maybe it does?)
Todays game was a bit different in that I was excused duty selling programmes and 50/50 tickets at the NRE turnstiles (thank go to Hazel for taking my place) so I could escort Ole, Jens and Roger (the 3 Darlerites) who had travelled from the north of Norway for their first ever U’s match. To ensure they were not delayed by transport problems they flew to London on Thursday then by train to Cambridge on Friday to be ready to watch on Saturday. A pint in the Supporters Club where they had a look at the mini CUFC museum, then into the ground for a quick interview with the matchday announcer Mike Barnes before getting into position behind the goal in the NRE.
The U’s reverted to a back 4 of Morrison and R. Bennett flanked by Dunk and L Bennett in front of Mitov. McGrandles and Digby in front of the defence, Lankester, Knibbs and Brophy in the middle with Smith up front.
A cagey opening with U’s trying to push forward and P’boro looking to hit on the break, and the first chance fell their way after 7 minutes as a 25 yard shot from Clarke-Harris went a foot over Mitov’s bar.
U’s got into positions for shots that were blocked so didn’t trouble ex-U Will Norrris in their goal, then a long ball saw Mason-Clarke push L Bennett out of the way before shooting well wide.
In added time U’s won another corner, this time the ball flew over a bunch of players at the near post for an unmarked Dunk to tap home near the back post.
Half time: 1-0.
Attacking the NRE in the second half the noise was ramped up even higher. Will Norris was a great keeper for CUFC, but playing for P’boro meant he got a lot of verbal abuse, along with Barry Fry and Darren Ferguson.
U’s continued to probe, Norris having to make a couple of routine saves, then covered a shot from Lankester that went just wide of the post.
Norris dallied on a pass back and was closed down by Knibbs, the clearance rebounding just wide of the goal.
A good chance to equalise was stopped by a fine save by Mitov.
L Bennett went on a typical run down our right, puled the ball back to Smith whose shot from around 12 yards beat Norris but hit the post and deflected into the net. 2-0 after 66 minutes.
Mitov made another good save to keep out a header, and that was about all P’boro had to offer.
Tracey came on for Knibbs, a few minutes later Okedina and Okenabirhie came on for Lankester and Brophy, then Smith was replaced by Ironside, and after 4 minutes of added time it was all over. A 2-0 victory over our rivals meant Cambridgeshire is Amber!
What a result! According to my Fitbit my heartrate peaked at 160 at 13:57, with another peak at 14:24, which I reckon must have been or second goal then the final whistle, and a total of 18 minutes of peak exercise! Who needs a gym?
When we got promoted at Wembley many thought League 2 would be a step too far for Harrison Dunk, but that proved to be wrong. Then the step up to League 1 would be too much at his age, but that too was wrong. And today he scored his 23rd goal on his 384th appearance. What a player!
On the other side of our defence Liam Bennett could be the first player to get “player of the season” at 2 clubs in one season (Walsall for the first half of the season, U’s for the second half).
Man of the Match must go to the whole of the squad. Those getting picked need to play at their top level as others are waiting to take their place, and it must be a difficult time for Mark Bonner deciding who to play!
After the game Ole, Jens and Roger got to meet Ian Darler, then had a tour of the Abbey stadium with Dave M-J before a final pint by the Dion Dublin bar. I drove them back to their hotel soon after 4pm, and I think it is safe to say they enjoyed their first visit to the Abbey! I hope there will be a photo montage of their weekend in the next few days.
The win moves us to 4th from bottom, level on points with Oxford. But it will mean nothing if we do not play at the same high level on Tuesday against Wycombe and keep this good run going.