| Rochdale | 3-0 | Cambridge United |
| Stuart, 16, 39 | ||
| Russell 43 | ||
| Att: 1,810 |
United line-up: Barrett, Ashbee, Hayes, Preece, Craddock, Raynor, Wanless, Beall, Taylor, Kyd (Benjamin 63), Foster (Marc Joseph 46).
Sub not used: Williamson.
Ref: A Bates (Stoke-on-Trent).
Fred Berry's match report:
A truly disgraceful performance which has said farewell to our play-off hopes. Rochdale looked like they were the team with something to play for and us, well, for nothing.
We all had high expectations at the start of the match, we were out-shouting Rochdale and looked to be playing reasonably well, Kyd had a header just over in the 4th min. To be fair we were the better of the two teams until 15 mins, a cross from the right wing found Hayes lost off his marker, the ball arrived at the player (Stuart) who delivered a superb volley into the bottom corner 0-1. We nearly got back on level terms when Kyd found himself in acres of space in the area but his shot was well over. On around 39 mins we were 2 down, a short free kick saw Stuart break into the area and deliver a good curling shot into the top corner 0-2. On around 42 mins we were 3 down, I did not see the goal as I was getting something to eat but from what I heard it was a easy finish from a left wing cross which perhaps Barrett could have done better on 0-3.
At half time Foster was taken off for Marc Joseph. In the second half we were a lot better as Rochdale knew they had won it and settled in defence. Taylor got some useful flick-ons and Raynor was putting some good balls in the box. From one Raynor corner it found Wanless who was unlucky to have his shot cleared off the line. Kyd shot well wide from a good position and then on about 70mins Fash came on for Kyd. I cannot understand why Kyd was taken off when he was one of our most likely players to score. Trev's physical presence is always such a threat and he looked very lively. He saw a header go over the bar as did Marc Joseph. Someone else had another shot cleared off the line but I can't remember who. At the other end Scotty did a superb save to avoid humiliation, he jumped for a shot getting in mid air superbly tipping wide while stretching. We had a few more corners but could not score.
Barrett 5.5 Ashbee 4.5 Hayes 4.5 Preece 5. Craddock 6. Raynor 6. Wanless 5.5 Beall 6. Taylor 5. Kyd 6. Foster 4.5 Subs. Mc. Joseph 7 Benjamin 7.5 *MOM*
Well that's the play off dream over, maybe next season then?
Gareth Challis' match report:
With four players missing, Ashbee came in as right-back and Hayes as left-back. Beall made his first start for some time. We started reasonably well, but didn't create real chances .... the first notable effort was the first goal - Rochdale caught us on the break with a
good run up the right wing and then a perfect cross, bypassing Craddock and the out-of-position Ashbee, was put away by Stuart on the volley on 16 minutes. It was a fine strike, but you can't help thinking it was our defence which allowed them to score.
Before the second goal went in, United started to find their way a bit better, depsite never really penetrating the Rochdale defence. Kyd missed two excellent chances (although one was ruled off-side) and Shaggy had a good chance with a header but couldn't get any power behind it. The second goal was the fault of our defence again, Craddock being the main culprit. Stuart was on his way out of the area, but easily turned back fooling Jody and placing his shot in the top corner. 2-0 and no sign of us getting back into it.
The third goal three minutes later in the 42nd minute came from a free-kick. Barrett seemed to struggle to get to the ball - it may have taken a deflection or he just may not have been ready. The only thing that was definite, was that we were now 3-0 down and still no sign of a
comeback.
Half-time had to bring some changes, and knowing the way McFarland likes to use his substitutes (!) there was no telling what was going to happen. I would have thought bringing Benjamin on to make it three up front (proabably for Beall) would have made the difference that we needed. Instead, Roy brought on a defender for a defender : Marc Joseph came on
for Foster who was undoubtedly the only guy on the pitch who was winning anything for us. Raynor was pushed further up with Taylor and Kyd, playing just behind them. Strange. The only thing I can think of is that Joseph is much faster than Foster.
United played much better in the second half, and despite never really showing any of the determination of the Northampton game, had enough chances to get back level. Three shots were cleared off the line (one by our own Taylor !) - the ball just wouldn't go in. We still looked Sunday league part-timers despite these chances - it was only because Rochdale
were worse than us that we didn't lose by more ... Benjamin came on for Kyd when he surely should have come on for Taylor who has failed to win a single header in the oppositions half in the last 6 or 7 games I've seen him play. Hopefully the break will give him the rest he
needs. Needless to say, Benjamin threw himself about the pitch and made his presence felt. One of the efforts cleared off the line was a powerful header from big-Trev. It just wasn't going to go in. Just before the end another chance was deflected past the post.
If we can't beat teams like Rochdale, we deserve to be in the third division. It started out a good season, but I'm sure we all knew the season was lost when we got into January. If results don't go our way, we might not even finish in the top half of the table.
Best part of the day was the Chips n' Curry (no Gravy for me) and hearing
both the Scum and Southend got relegated.
Ratings -
Gutted. United were beaten easily by a team that showed why they only average 1400-ish at home matches. On a day when the rain wasn't going to stop, United came out on a very muddy pitch and the fans were filled with optimism. A good turn out from the away teams support, outsinging the home fans, who only really started going when they were 2-0 up.
Barrett 4 - Ashbee 5 - Started well, but faded. Hayes 4 - Preece 3 - Experienced, but where was he all game ? Craddock 4 - Raynor 5 - Tried hard, but didn't achieve much Wanless 4 - Beall 4 - Anonymous Taylor 3 - Kyd 4 - Losts of running but wasn't given the telling ball. Foster 6 - *MoM* Won everything. Can't understand why he was sub'ed. Subs - Marc Joseph 6 - on for Foster (45 mins) Benjamin 6 - on for Kyd (63 mins) Williamson (not used)
The Abbey Rabbit report:
I though that Wanless ran his socks off whilst Raynor was the pick. He was the only one who seemed to be trying. RM's substitutions were totally baffling. I can only assume that Foster was injured and as for replacing Kyd with Trevor Benjamin - we were left with no pace up
front. Preece was disappointing (again). When we signed him from Luton, I really thought he was going to boss our midfield like he had for them - no chance. Worryingly, Beall was annonymous - he has really failed to live up to the hype.
I seriously believe that we will have problems next season. Hayes proved once again that he can't play in defence and Ashbee looks very pedestrian in the middle. We must sign Wilson and Foster! It seems obvious after Saturday that far to many out of contract players just don't seem interested. If I was RM I would give them an ultimatum - either sign new deals or you don't play Saturday. I would much rather see those players who have at least committed themselves to the U's, after all we have nothing to play for - so lets start
building for next season!
BTW never mind p*sh going down, the biggest cheer in our car was for Barnsley getting promoted to the Premiersh*t. Well done Danny Wilson!
SteveJ@Abbey Rabbit
Grateful thanks to Fred Berry, Gareth Challis and Steve Jillings for their match reports and ratings.
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I know that RM was forced into making a number of changes but I can honestly say that considering that we had so much to play for I have never seen sch an abject, gutless performance for many a year. We never really looked interested. Indeed neutrals might have thoght that we were the side with nothing to play for whilst Rochdale were looking for promotion - except that 'Dale were ordinary to the point of mediocrity. After the first goal (well taken, but just where was the marking?) the game was as good as over. On the way up to the game we said that if RM was "serious" we should have played three-up front - we played two (well none really, Shaggy never got a sniff and Kyddie was far to isolated). In the end we got what we deserved - absolutely nothing!