| Cambridge United | 1-3 | Barnet |
| Taylor 84' | Charlery 40' | |
| Devine 73' | ||
| Heald 80' | ||
| Att: 3,395 |
United line-up: Barrett, Chenery, Wilson, Marc Joseph, Foster (Preece 78'), Campbell, Wanless, Rees, Kyd (Williamson 65'), Butler, Taylor.
Sub Not Used: Matt Joseph.
[Terry Wilby's match report] [The Abbey Rabbit match report]
Terry Wilby's match report:
In the first half we never looked like scoring, nobody seemed to want to shoot, although we were not helped by some odd refereeing decisions. I think the referee didn't like Butler, as he was tripped in the penalty area midway through the first half, and a number of fouls against Butler and Taylor were not given. The worst that sticks in my mind was when Butler saw a challenge coming in so he tapped the ball past the player who continued sliding in and knocked Butler over, but the referee played on despite us not having possession.
Charlery got a lot of stick, so it was inevitable that he would score. He shot well wide from 18 yards mid way through the first half, but scored from a knock down after 40 minutes, a goal similar to that scored by Colchester. A couple of minutes later there was a real cock-up in our area when Barrett tried to dribble past two forwards, lost control of the ball on the corner of the 6 yard box, the cross into the centre of the goal resulted in Charlery shooting over from 6 yards.
Roy must have lit the blue touch paper on the half time rocket as first Butler had a shot saved then Kyd hit the side netting in the first few minutes, however Barnet weathered the early storm. After 20 minutes Kyd somehow injured himself, possibly a twisted knee, and was replaced with Williamson. We continued to press, and after a good cross from our right from Wilson (I think) the ball went across the face of goal just missed by Taylor and someone else. Immediately the ball was cleared down the other end and Barnet scored again after Barrett failed to hold a shot/cross. Soon after Preece came on for Foster, which seemed a strange change. A couple of minutes later Barnet scored again with a header from a corner which looked as if it looped over Barrett, possibly he was in no-mans land.
6 minutes from the end Taylor pulled a goal back after a scramble in their 6 yard box. We forced a number of corners, but they were nearly all rubbish near post attempts that caused no trouble. Barnet got a very dubious penalty in the last minute after our defender knocked the ball out and the forward fell over his leg! Barrett managed to save the penalty though, and it ended 1-3.
I think one reason why our quick passing game didn't work (except across the back four) because Barnet closed down very quickly. The swirling wind didn't help any long balls either. We seemed to have too many players off their normal game as well. Things like Marc Joseph taking a long throw which went straight out for a goal kick, the poor corners and general poor play particularly when crossing the ball meant that we were a poor shadow of the team of the last few games. Until their second goal I thought we would pull it back and win easily, but it was not to be. Hopefully this will just be a blip not to be repeated.
I have to agree that Roy has put together a reasonable squad, there seems to be cover for most areas, and players who were regulars last season can't get in the side such as Matt Joseph, Ashbee, Hayes, Beall and Thopmson. I think the weak position is in goal, Barrett started getting caught in no-mans land again. He must either go and get the ball or stay on his line, the latter being the best option with three centre halves. Man of the Match is a difficult one this time as no-one stood out. At the match I think Beaumont gave it to Campbell, but I'll go for Paul Wanless for his continuous trying to get something going.
Ratings: Barrett 4, Chenery 5, Wilson 5, Marc Joseph 4, Foster 5 (Preece 5), Campbell 5, Wanless 6, Rees 5, Kyd 4 (Williamson 4), Butler 5, Taylor 4
Terry.
Maybe we were just over-complacent, believing that we only had to turn up to win - indeed the first 20 minutes was all United, lots of patient build up in the middle of the park, trying to find an openning through the packed Barnet midfield and defence. The trouble was that our build-up was a little too slow and precise, always allowing the visitors to get numbers behind the ball.
In fact Barnet, on the break, looked the more likely to score - and it came as no surprise that p*sh reject Charlary scored with a fine volley whilst the defence slept. Once again the "Abbey Kop" hurl abuse at a player and what happens? It's bloody obvious and happens everytime... I used to prefer the "which one is... (insert name of opposition striker who'se scored 90 zillion goals in only 20 games)..?"
So 1-0 down at half-time and United after a half-time rocket look more menacing in the first ten minutes than they did throughout the first-half, with Butler and Kyd both going close. But, just when we thought we could get bck in it - DISASTER (on two counts!). Barnet score on the counter - Barrett dropping a simple cross and alowing p*sh reject Greg Heald to score. Kyddie gets stretchered off with ligament trouble and the game is effectively over!
Barnet score a third (a free header just after Foster had been subbed), Taylor gets a consolation - despite a blatent hand-ball by Wilson(?) and Barnet contrive to miss a penalty (I would say that Scotty saved it, but I've seen stronger hit back-passes!)
Hopefully, it was just an off-day. Indeed RM on the radio afterwards seemed to think so. But how can an ENTIRE team have an off-day? Rees was anonymous and to many passes went astray. Despite no one in the defence having a really bad game (Foster was below his normally high standards, Barrett was responsible for number two and Chenery was... well let's face it poor), we still leaked three bad goals... For the first time this season we really missed Micah - there was no one out there who could really dominate in the middle of the park... and why didn't we have a striker on the Bench? We won diddly squat in the air all day - surely a job for Super-Fash? And please RM and Matty Joseph - sort something out so that Matty can reclaim the right back berth and give us some bloody width!
Roll on Donny!
SteveJ@AbbeyRabbit
Many thanks to Terry and Steve for their reports.
Back to Match fixtures, results and reports
Back to Cambridge United index