Cambridge United vs. Northampton Town

United line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Wilson, Preece, Craddock, Raynor, Wanless, Hyde, Taylor, Barnwell (Benjamin 74), Foster.
Sub not used: Ashbee, Kyd.

Fred Berry's match report:
Another goalless draw, our second of the season, which follows just after our first. Again I feel we should have won it but Northampton were playing for a point.

We started off fairly well, forcing a few corners, Wilson had a 20 yard drive blocked by a defender as well as a shot from outside the area tipped over the cross bar. Preece also had a long range shot tipped over the bar. Hyde went on a good run got to the area passed to Barnwell who saw his shot fly wide of the post. Northampton had a chance when their forward broke free but with just Barrett to beat fired his shot well wide to the relief of the North terrace. We forced a few corners but to no avail and went in at half-time on top.

After the break the Cobblers thought they would settle with a point, time wasting was common when the ball was out of play. The U's managed a few corners as did Northampton, from one U's corner Barnwells diving header was saved well at full stretch from their keeper Andy Woodman. Northampton had a near miss when their player fired across the face of goal, some of their deep corners were handled well by the defence and they produced no real threat. Benjamin came on and did well, a very good player he looks to be, maybe he should start for us against Hartlepool, he has been prolific for the reserves. Wanless had a header go well over but that was the last chance in a good encounter that I think we should of won, we are still in the hunt for a play of place that I feel we are very capable of getting. A sound performance by the defence with Wilson standing out. Lets hope we win at Hartlepool, Colchester are out of the hunt.

We are still in the play off race but can we please finish our chances better. Up the U's

Fred Berry.

Gareth Challis' match report:
Not a single 0-0 draw all season and then two in four days. The first on Saturday against Cardiff was probably the right result considering the way the game was played, but United came out firing on all cylinders last night and deserved to walk away with all three points.

Although we didn't seem to have the strike power up front, we weren't helped by a Cobblers side who put eight men behind the ball at every opportunity and hoofed the ball up-field when they got it. United put in probably their best performance over 90 minutes this season. Perhaps only the first 45 at Orient was better.

The defence was solid, the midfield were excellent, Preece and Hyde both having good games (although Hyde was a little inconsistent with his touch once or twice) ... the only thing missing was the attacking strength that we've missed most of the season. Shaggy didn't receive any service, and should have been replaced on the hour, but McFarland persisted and maybe rightly so as United did look as though they would score at some point.

The first half saw mostly United pressure, with a few excursions up front via the long ball for the visitors. The best of the efforts came from two long-shots. I couldn't see who the first was from (Raynor ?) but it curled at the last minute, the 'keeper tipping the ball over the bar. A few minutes later Wilson blasted the ball into the top corner, but again the 'keeper pushed it over the woodwork. The Cobblers were a little better in the first half but failed to really get a shot on target. Three or four half-chances were blasted several feet the wrong side (or the right side for us) of the woodwork.

United pressured well, although the 'telling' ball never quite happened. At one point we spent about five or six minutes deep inside the Northampton half, crossing balls in from all angles but nobody was at the end of the crosses. Best chance of the second half fell to Shaggy, heading down at the far post. The ball bounced off the defender and the 'keeper had to make a low save at the foot of the post.

Barnwell was substituted on 72, replaced by Trevor Benjamin when perhaps Kyd for Taylor looked the best change to make as Shaggy was very tired and Kyd's speed would have worked wonders. I'm all for giving Trev his opportunity, but in a match we had to win it was definitely not his time. The officials had a pretty good game - I can't remember a single offside decision in the whole game. There were four bookings when only two looked worthy of the ref's attention.

Terry Wilby's match report:
This was our best performance for a very long time.

Northampton had their only chance early on, a header straight at Barrett from 10 yards. After that it was all United, two good 25 yard shots from Wilson and a similar attempt from Barnwell, all needing a save from the keeper. We had loads of corners which caused panic but couldn't convert them. The second half continued in the same vain, lots of pressure but no goals. Barnwell (or was it Taylor as someone else said) almost scored with a downward header that was well saved at the foot of the post by the keeper. From a free kick just outside the penalty area Micah side footed just past the post, there were other shots not too far away as well. The longer the game went on the greater the worry that we would concede a late goal but it didn't happen.

I think we were helped by them playing 5-3-2. Their attack consisted of hoofing the ball to their big chaps at the front, who were easily dealt with by Jody Craddock and Colin Foster. On the few occasions the ball was on the ground Matt Joseph and Paul Wilson did the business. Preece controlled the centre with help from Micah Hyde, Paul Wanless ran tirelessly up and down the middle, Paul Raynor on our right side, with Jamie Barnwell on the left when not up front with Taylor. We were able to play the ball around in our defence and midfield, but not always able to penetrate. After last weeks Lincoln game when there were many offside decisions against us, I cannot remember one offside last night. Perhaps the forwards have learnt a bit, although I suspect that Northampton were not trying to play the offside game.

Taylor and Barnwell played too far apart, so they didn't collect enough knock downs. These were often picked up by Wanless. Jamie had a lot of good runs, but is still too easily knocked off the ball by defenders. I would have brought on Kyd in the second half, although Kyd is not so fast he is stronger, and has a little more positional sense. Taylor looked knackered in the second half, I would have replaced him with Trevor Benjamin. As it was Benjamin came on for Barnwell. He had an immediate effect by chasing "lost causes" and putting himself about, which must have been a shock to their defenders.

We picked up a couple of bookings, both came after fairly minor fouls, but the ref. did nothing about the retaliation from the Northampton players. It seemed almost that throwing a punch or kicking our player wasn't an offence, but then again knocking over Barnwell and Taylor wasn't either. The referee in general had a reasonable game though.

It was difficult to choose Man of the Match, I think Matt Joseph just shades it, good in defence but also looked good going forward, occasionally getting into their penalty area which is something he hasn't been doing for a while. The rest of the team all did well, Shaggy probably the poorest. Foster adds much needed height and experience at the back, Wilson looks a good left back who can also get down the wing and put in a decent cross. We should sign them both as soon as possible. A good crowd of just over 4,400 as well.

So a good performance over the full 90+ minutes. If only we could play like this more often, especially against lower teams.

Ratings: Barrett 7, Joseph 9, Wilson 8, Preece 8, Craddock 8, Raynor 8, Hyde 7, Taylor 6, Barnwell 8, Foster 8. Subs: Benjamin 8, Ashbee, Kyd not used.

Terry Wilby.

Many thanks to Fred Berry, Gareth Challis and Terry Wilby for their match reports and ratings.

Back to Match fixtures, results and reports

Home