It was bright and breezy at the abbey stadium as Cambridge United and Barnsley prepared to face each other for the first time in several years. A decent crowd of 6138 including around 1200 from Yorkshire made for quite an atmosphere. United made two changes with Liam O’Neil and James Brophy replacing Joe Ironside and Adam May.
Before the game there was a minutes silence following the sad passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, there was not a sound in the stadium as everyone present showed their respect. We then sang God save the King, building things up to a crescendo. Barnsley kicked off toward the NRE and looked lively from the off. However the U’s were soon on their game and early efforts from Shilow Tracey and Paul Digby were blocked. In an entertaining start the home side were inches from scoring when after good work by Tracey, James Brophy hit the post from 10 yards, the ball bouncing to safety. Then following a corner, Anderson for the visitors headed wide, it was end to end stuff.
Moments later George Williams was caught in the penalty area by visiting no 5 Kitching who appeared to tread on the prone Williams. Kitching was very lucky to only receive a yellow, we had not played 15 minutes yet. Kane crossed for Andersen to head at goal, his effort blocked. United’s defence was being opened up on both wings at times. Then really from nothing bad boy Kitching played a ball into the United area and from 10 yards the unmarked Cole fired into the corner for 0-1. Jones and Okedina both looked at each other. Sam Smith got United going again and should have scored on 37, Brophy hit a delightful cross over and Smith fired at the keeper from 6 yards. That should have been a goal.
Harrison Dunk was then shown a yellow card for a foul on Kane. The free kick count increased and quite often our men were beaten on too many 50-50 challenges by visiting defenders. Cole of Barnsley was then yellow carded for a late tackle on O’Neil. Moments later and the U’s had two glorious chances to score. After great wing work by Williams his square pass found Tracey 15 yards out in the centre of goal, with the entire goal at his mercy he miskicked. The ball fell kindly for Harvey Knibbs who fired at goal from 6 yards straight at prone keeper Collins. It could have been 3-1 we were very wasteful indeed. Half time came moments later at 0-1.
United came out of the traps at speed and following a punched clearance from keeper Collins the ball fell nicely for O’Neil on the edge of the box, his shot aiming for the far corner was brilliantly tipped round by Collins. On the hour came an incident you don’t like to see in football with Sam Smith and keeper Collins jumping high for a cross, there was a clash of heads and both players went down. Smith although groggy got up after a minute. Collins though looked to be in trouble, you get a horrible feeling when injured players lay still on the ground. Several of the medics gave him lengthy treatment and it was to everyone’s great relief he was able to leave the pitch aided by medics. Young keeper Jamie Searle replacing him. The visitors, although capable of playing good football gave a number of fouls away but the home team seemed to lose their momentum. Moments later Kitching fouled Harvey Knibbs and referee Bourne showed the offender a second yellow and a red. The visitors were down to 10 men and had their reserve keeper playing.
Immediately after, Thomas of Barnsley received a yellow card for fouling Smith. It seemed that the U’s were affected by the changes and the visitors started to pass the ball around, incredibly finding unmarked players as the home team seemed to forget the basics. Cadden then replaced Edwards for Barnsley. Aitchison then fired in a shot well saved by Mitov, the visitors growing in confidence. Then the U’s replaced O’Neil and Brophy with Adam May and Joe Ironside, the clock was on 73. Benson and Norwood then replaced Aitchison and Thomas for the visitors. Moments later and disaster struck as Norwood floated in a cross, Mitov initially came for it then stopped, former U Robbie Cundy looped a header over the stranded Mitov into the corner of the net for 0-2. It was bad defending and poor goalkeeper we were approaching 80 minutes.
Brandon for the visitors fired narrowly over as Barnsley looked to have all the answers, United players playing statues, just could not get their game going. It was one of those days when Smith was played through by Adam May and fired in a terrific volley on the angle from 20 yards. Before we could celebrate, the assistant had his flag up for offside. Lankester and Janneh replaced Knibbs and Tracey on 84. Moments later Williams had a header from 10 yards well saved by Mitov, the U’s really misfiring now. Moments later and to rub salt in the wound Smith played a through ball to Lankester who fired home, that flag was up once again so no goal. Smithy getting a yellow for disagreeing with the Lino.
We then saw an incredible 14 minutes of stoppage time displayed and in the second of those, a long clearance caught out Paul Digby and fell nicely for Norwood to fire home completely unmarked for 0-3. The final minutes of stoppage time showed nothing for the home side who will regret missing so many early chances. We do see games like this but playing 10 men for 23 minutes plus 14 extra minutes in such a fashion was very poor. Nothing really went for the U’s as the offside flag and poor shot selection were key in this game. Sometimes things need to be said, the partnership of Jones and Okedina is not working at the moment, midfield yesterday, on occasions was far too lightweight. Sam Smith needs help up front, but everyone on the team could do with some shooting practice. Big game at Morecambe next week but watch us bounce back…….
Richard Stephen