Cambridge United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

United line-up: Barrett, Chenery, Wilson, Ashbee, Foster, Campbell, Wanless, Preece, Kyd (Taylor 69'), Butler, Beall.
Subs Not Used: Marc Joseph, Rees.
Ref: W C Burns (Scarborough).

[Keith Webb's match report] [Gareth Challis' match report]

Keith Webb's match report:
Tonight we saw the best and the worst of Cambridge United.

We cannot keep claiming to be unlucky as yet again tonight we missed several great chances, what we desperately need is a natural goal scorer. The games against Rochdale, Torquay, Plymouth and Brighton rammed home the fact that if we could put away half the chances we create then we would be a top six side. On the down side once again we had what seems to be becoming an obligatory 'hoof-it' session and when we play that way we look what we are... a struggling 3rd division side. For 15mins leading up to Brighton's equaliser we totaly lost the plot and started belting the ball all over the place, yet after we conceded the goal we were brilliant coming forward.

Although it's difficult to be objective after another disappointing home draw the fact is we look far more balanced in midfield with Preece and Beall and for the most part we look solid at the back. We are capable of playing impressive football but just cannot turn pressure into goals and it is a goalscorer that is the missing link for us. If we weren't creating chances then we would be in real trouble, scoring goals regularly is the difference between success and failure, Peterborough and Jimmy Quinn are a typical example. Take away Quinn's goals and they would not be where they are. Michael Kyd is neither fit nor experienced enough yet, John Taylor has seen better days and Martin Butler is more maker than taker. Somehow RM has got to pull a rabbit out of the hat and find us a Jimmy Quinn.

Keith

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Gareth Challis' match ratings:
Yet another failure to win, although this match wasn't a clear-cut "should have been" as the Torquay, Rochdale and Hull matches.

United started well but failed to really threaten once on the edge of the box. Going forward we looked good, but once again the U's seemed to get scared approaching the opponents goal. Brighton didn't impress and it was quite relaxing to not get anxious when they passed the ball through midfield to their attackers !

Before the deadlock was broken there were a couple of good saves forced out of both 'keepers. The first was an excellent turn and shot by Butler on the edge of the Brighton area, tipped over the bar by the Brighton goalie. A couple of minutes later, Brighton broke free on the right but Barrett stood his ground well, saving a fierce shot with his legs.

The 'penalty', at least from where we were standing, was never a penalty. Butler chased a ball on the left side of the field, but was beaten to it by the defender and the diving goalie. The ball was already on it's way for a corner, when Butler made contact with the 'keeper and was brought down. The only thing I can think of is that the defender may have pushed Butler out of the way to get the ball ... maybe. Either way, Wilson took the resulting penalty and scored although it wasn't a particularly well taken one. The game failed to inspire for the rest of the first half, but we went in 1-0 up which was a good sign.

In the second half, things changed. It wasn't that Brighton started playing but more that we stopped and started hoofing the ball up the field to no-one in particular. The plot was lost completely and it was so visible that we were not going to win ... Taylor came on for Kyd on 69 minutes and within four more Brighton were level. Chenery was beaten to the ball on the edge of the penalty area, the ball was headed past Barrett who was in no-man's land, leaving Emblen to tap in on the line. Where were the defence that had been so solid ?

United pushed hard in the last 10 minutes without any real success, having two penalty appeals turned down which were both closer to penalties than the one that was given ! The first saw Butler beat the 'keeper in a packed area and just as he was about to slide the ball home a tackle came though him knocking the ball out for a corner and taking Butler down at the same time. The second appeal with just a couple of minutes later was similar - Taylor was about to play the ball eight yards out, and was taken out by another tackle which went through the player to get the ball. 9 times out of 10 both of those penalties would have been given.

United's hard-core faithful did little to help the team by singing "we're going down this year" ... the moronic mentality of so-called 'supporters', although I must admit they weren't quite as bad as they were with other recent visitors.

As for the team, Ashbee looked calm and collected in defence and for once people are beginning to like his play. Chenery should be replaced by Matty Joseph. He's not match fit, he's one-footed, and for an attacking full-back he doesn't seem to want to cross the ball when he has the opportunity. However, he did have a good first half, which just goes to show what fitness can do for you. Campbell had a scary moment early in the first half, but was saved by Foster. Generally, the defence looks good which is something we haven't been able to say for quite a while.

Kyd looks tired and seems to have lost his touch, although his enthusiasm hasn't dwindled. How about giving Benjamin a starting role and put Kyd on the bench. Maybe put Barnwell up front with him. For once our midfield seemed to have slightly the better on the pitch, but this was more then likely helped by the fact that Beall and Preece were both taller than Brighton's central midfielders !

Hopefully the Plymouth replay next week will be the game that gives the club the kick-start it needs.

G.

Many thanks to Keith and Gareth for their reports and ratings.

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