| Cambridge United | 1-1 | Luton Town |
| Benjamin 92 | McLaren 91 | |
| Att: 1,431 |
Cambridge Utd: Gayle, Chenery (Murphy 57), Wilson, Marc Joseph, Craddock, Campbell, Rees (Hayes 74), Ashbee (Williamson 78), Taylor (Kyd 45), Butler (Benjamin 45), Preece (Beall 57).
Sub not used: Wilde.
[Gareth Challis' match report] [Fred Berry's match report]
Gareth Challis' match report:
Not much to talk about for this game where everything happened in injury time ... a couple of people I was with left early to miss the 'rush' which never was, maybe just getting practice in for the new season. They must be kicking themselves, as Luton took the lead in the 91st minute after a shot rebounded off the bar, Gayle looked to get a touch before it rebounded to McLaren knocked in the loose ball. United scored an equalizer three minutes later when Marc Joesph's long throw was headed on by Benjamin at the near post, the 'keeper couldn't collect and Benjamin was the first on hand to slip the ball past him and into the 'net.
For the other 90 minutes not much happened. Cambridge looked reasonable going forward, but never threatened when they got near the penalty area, pretty much the story of the whole of last season. Once Benjamin and Kyd replaced Taylor and Butler at half-time things seem to change for the better and United looked a little more dangerous ...
Neither 'keeper had a lot to do, Gayle on his home debut collected well and made one excellent save, diving to his left to catch a vicious shot which 'moved' in the air. Luton's 'keeper, a 'boro reject, looked as though he would be impossible to beat, standing at over 6'5" - nonetheless, United crossed balls straight into his arms where low hard crosses would have been the better option. He was troubled once when a Wilson (?) shot forced him to dive and save, punching the ball out across the area ... if a striker had been on hand it would have been a great opportunity, but the ball was cleared by the defence.
Overall, a draw was the right outcome.
Team :
Gayle 6 - Looked confident and came for his crosses. Rare at the Abbey !
Chenery 5 - Mitchell Thomas flattened him in the first half and he never really
recovered.
Wilson 7 - Glad we got him ...a good successor to Granville.
Marc Joseph 6 - Solid.
Craddock 6 - Dodgy ! Couple of bad mistakes, must have known he was being watched.
Campbell 5 - Anonymous.
Rees 5 - Doesn't command midfield.
Ashbee 6 - Not a bad performance - there's hope for him yet.
Taylor 3 - Never saw the ball.
Butler 3 - Same as Taylor !
Preece 5 - Ok, but slowing down with age.
Subs
Murphy for Chenery (57) 6
Hayes for Rees (74) 6
Williamson for Ashbee (78) 6
Kyd for Taylor (45) 7 - Lots of effort, but not match fit.
Benjamin for Butler (45) 7 *MoM* - This man never stops trying.
Beall for Preece (57) 6
Fred Berry's match report:
A thrilling finish ended a otherwise bleak match. Luton put out a full strengh team as we put a mixture of fringe players and trailists. We looked very good and did very well. At moments we outplayed Luton and acted under pressure well. Our crossing was not to good but apart from that the performance was very encouraging.
The first half was dull. Taylor and trialist Butler lacked service at times and did not look a good partnership. On loan keeper Mark Gayle looked good and saved well from one Luton attack in the first half.
In the second half on came Benjamin and Kyd. Kyd missed a chance early in the period, firing wide after a good break. Another time he shot too early when there were other options. 'Fash' always terrifying the defence was non-stop. He produced a moment of pure class when he did a Gazza style flick over a defender and was very unlucky to have his shot blocked.
In the 92nd min Luton scored. Steve Davis had a blistering 35 yard drive tipped over the bar by Gayle. Paul McLaren was on hand to score the rebound 0-1.
United then started playing very well. A long throw from Marc Joseph was flicked on by Billy Beall. Benjamin hit the net from 2 yrds past a despairing keeper 1-1.
All in all a very promising and commited display.
Ratings.
Gayle 7, some good saves in a solid performance. Chenery 6.5, looks OK. Wilson 6 Marc Joseph 7 Craddock 8 Were you watching Peter Reid?? Campbell 7, solid display in defence Rees 6 Ashbee 6.5 Taylor 6 Butler 6 Preece 6.5 Subs. Kyd 6.5. Benjamin 8 *MOM* a terrific display of commitment. He was everywere. Beall 7. Williamson - not on long enough. Hayes - '' '' ''
Many thanks to Gareth and Fred for their match reports.
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