It was a warm sunny day as most of the summer days had been this year as Cambridge United and MK Dons prepared to open the new season at the Abbey Stadium. I must say there was a carnival atmosphere prior to kick off and a respectable crowd of 6588 including 1450 visitors prepared for battle.
The U’s won the toss and the visitors kicked off towards the NRE. Barely seconds later and it was all hands on deck as United were carved open and a couple of desperate tackles prevented shots on goal, the ball ran loose towards the edge of the box where Smith of MKD lashed a shot against the crossbar. That was a let off. Joe Ironside headed over from a Brophy cross as the home settled down. Adam May then fired in a shot well saved by Cumming. Moments later came the first moment of controversy when Harvey Knibbs was played through with only a defender to beat, he appeared to be fouled but referee Busby deemed it simulation and yellow carded the United forward. It looked very harsh as Knibbs would have had a clear strike on goal when centrally placed.
Sam Smith then had a shot blocked before the home team took the lead. James Brophy passed the ball to Knibbs who beat a couple of defenders before firing home from 15 yards for 1-0. May had a second effort which was blocked as the home team took the game to their much fancied opponents. A number of fouls broke up the game but the visitors appeared to be happy to string many unnecessary passes together when not really going anywhere. Moments later it could have been 2 when May fired in a cross headed inches wide by Smith. The visitors then had to make a change as Johnson replaced McEachran who was limping.
George Williams then had an effort which flew high and wide. The visitors although playing some passing flowing football were not frightened of getting stuck in and Lawrence was yellow carded for a late tackle on Dunk. Johnson then had an effort blocked as the visitors tried to get back in the game. Ironside had another header following a cross from Digby but the save was easy for Cumming. Half time came at 1-0 to the U’s with the visitors seemingly happy to overplay from the back and apart from the first minute had not troubled Mitov in the United goal.
The first few minutes of the second half saw more urgency with the visitors who were still overplaying from the back. Kemp had a shot blocked but the U’s were holding firm. Johnson shot wide for the visitors following a corner, in truth the opponents first worthy effort for nearly an hour. Joe Ironside was then fouled from behind on the halfway line which led to a booking for MKD no 5 O’Hora. On the break Knibbs had an effort blocked following good work from Paul Digby. Lloyd Jones pounded forward on the hour, but lost possession and was yellow carded for a foul on Johnson. For the visitors Oyegoje and Barry replaced Kemp and Lawrence. The visitors finding the U’s a tough nut to crack still.
Smith shot wide for the visitors but uniteds goal was not really threatened. Holland then had a shot blocked for the visitors still appearing to stick in second gear. O’Neil then replaced Knibbs on 71. Tracey also replaced Ironside. Smith shot high and wide in frustration for the visitors as the ball headed towards the top of the south stand. Okedina and Jones were having outstanding games in the heart of the United defence. Burns and Dennis then replaced Grant and Holland for MKD, but time was running out.
United replaced the limping Dunk with new signing Haunstrup. Brophy then raced up the wing following a break for the U’s but was blatantly cut down by Oyegoje who earned himself a yellow. Nasty tackle that one.
Saikou Janneh a new signing for the U’s came on on 90 replacing Brophy. He made an immediate impact passing two defenders despite being fouled in the process. The MK defender can count himself lucky that referee Busby was unsighted. Shiloh Tracey also rapidly sped from the United area following another clearance, an MK defender tried to cut him down twice, the referee correctly played on but the offender no 20 Burns, should have been booked. Janneh then went on a terrific run before flashing a shot wide at the NRE. The game finished 1-0 to the home side who absorbed a lot of pressure but MKD despite their possession, home keeper Dimitar Mitov did not have a save to make and really only the let off in the first minute did the United goal look in danger. Encouraging, very encouraging.
Richard Stephen