Another pleasant sunny afternoon greeted supporters as they arrived at the Abbey Stadium for this afternoons clash with bottom of the table Burton Albion. A crowd of 5130 including 158 fiercely loyal fans from the midlands were ready for the teams to do battle. Those of a nervous disposition please turn away now.
OK then as we prepared to kick off, the thoughts going through most home fans would have been let’s keep it tight and then use our pace to open them up. Well that lasted a matter of a few seconds as our defence was cut wide open starting with Okedina being outmuscled by the lanky Ahadme, who played the ball wide to Smith who crossed into the danger area, the ball ballooned up off Okedina for Ahadme to head home from close range for 0-1. I’m sure rehearsal did not go like this. Smith then had a shot charged gown as United started like rabbits caught in headlights. Sam Smith had an effort blocked before Lloyd Jones headed wide from a corner. Moments later came a pivotal moment in the game when Smith of Burton was shown a straight red for a lunge on Dunk. Perhaps now the U’s will wake up.
Burton began some spoiling tactics so early in the game giving a number of free kicks away to slow things down and of course despite a long way to go taking their time over throw ins and goal kicks. The visitors still looked lively though and Hughes had an effort blocked. The free kicks continued to mount and referee Speedie lost patience with Hamer for a foul on Okedina, the Burton man yellow carded. The U’s were really struggling to make an impression and not making their one man advantage tell. Lloyd Jones lashed in a shot from over 30 yards dropped by visiting keeper Garrett being tested at last. Okedina shot over following a corner before Taylor shot over following a break from the visitors.
Referee Speedie was called into action again to show the yellow card to centre forward Ahadme who had pushed his luck too with a number of fouls and being guilty of persistent misconduct. Following better play from the U’s Shilow Tracey crossed for Sam Smith to head wide. Harrison Dunk then missed a chance after being set up by George Williams. Then following a great cross ball from Tracey, Sam Smith leapt high to head past keeper Garrett into the far corner for 1-1. Joe Ironside following up to make sure the ball had crossed the line but the goal was Sam’s. Strangely the U’s seemed to be intimidated by their opponents and gave the ball away far too often. In particular the back 5 looked as if they had never trained together. Okedina fouled the dangerous Ahadme and in truth it seemed obvious to me that Jones should be marking him. Ahadme seemed too tall and powerful for Okedina.
The resulting free kick went over the bar. Digby was then yellow carded for another foul on the visiting no. 9 who was proving to be a real handful. United simply could not clear the ball following consecutive corners and were made to pay as the home defence went AWOL to allow Brayford a free header from six yards to make it 1-2. It was the U’s who had the extra man ???. George Williams and Sam Smith with a couple of efforts had half chances but half time came at 1-2. Manager Bonner doubtless had words to say probably wanting defenders to introduce themselves to each other. It had been a poor first half.
United kicking off the second half toward the NRE with the visitors changing Onyango for Kokomo. Burton continued their habit of conceding free kicks and Brayford became the latest booking following a foul on Knibbs. May shot wide after being set up by Harvey Knibbs
Moments later though and following more good wing play from the impressive Tracey, who set up May who fired a shot goalwards headed in from 6 yards by Sam Smith for 2-2. That’s better lads no more silly giveaways eh. Again the visitors running themselves into the ground did not give up and Borthwick-Jackson had a breakaway shot blocked. The home team were now on top and Smith had a decent effort on the turn well saved by Garrett who pushed the ball over for a corner. Following a cross from the corner, Tracey fired wide.
Powell replaced Davis-Keillor for Burton before Sam Smith on terrific form had an effort saved at the second attempt by Garrett. Adam May shot just wide as the U’s continued to attack. A smart piece of Bonner management saw Paul Digby replaced by Liam O’Neil, lest Digby, getting really stuck in, should get into further trouble. On 67 we were left numb when with absolutely no danger at all Okedina underhit a back pass to keeper Mitov, Mitov’s touch was too heavy and the ball ended up in the next following an interception by Ahadme for 2-3. There was no excuse both players were equally guilty of giving the goal away. Defending today was far short of what is required at this level.
To give United’s forwards credit they rolled their sleeves up and equalised with a ferric volley from Sam Smith completing his hat trick. A great through ball from O’Neil set the striker up for 3-3. Straight away though, Taylor broke away for Burton and crossed for Ahadme to head over. We were sleeping again. Knibbs had an effort blocked before Powell of Burton shot high and wide. Jack Lankester replaced Knibbs who had had a quiet game. Moments later and following impressive hold up play from Joe Ironside, he fed O’Neil on the edge of the box for O’Neil to fire into the bottom corner for 4-3. We do look good when we play football !! The game swung from end to end as coaching manuals appeared to be thrown away. Adeboyejo replaced Butcher for the visitors, time was running out.
Zeno Rossi replaced Shilow Tracey as the home team reinforced the back line. 6 minutes of stoppage time were indicated with referee Speedie rather unfairly telling Mitov to hurry up with goal kicks whilst earlier in the game allowing Garrett in the Burton goal to take his time. No blatant time wasting from the visitors now. This feisty game ended with Borthwick-Jackson of Burton and Jack Lankester both being yellow carded for fouls. So United won 4-3 and for that I am very grateful. Our strike force, once it got going were in great shape. Defensively, we were a shambles. Manager Mark Bonner will doubtless use his skills to encourage a better performance. Doubtless someone was here from next weeks opponents Lincoln City, bet his notebook was full….
Richard Stephen