| Cambridge United | 2-1 | Rotherham United |
| Kyd 46' | Bos 51' | |
| Taylor 82' | ||
| Att: 2,725 |
United line-up: Barrett, Chenery, Wilson, Joseph, Foster, Campbell, Wanless (Taylor 68), Rees, Kyd, Butler, Preece (Williamson 73).
Sub not used: Murphy.
The Abbey Rabbit's match report:
United kick-off their home league fixtures with a hard-fought but deserved win against a Rotherham side who set their stall out for a bore-bore draw right from the start. The U's lined up with the team that started on Saturday, Preece returning for Williamson.
United found it hard work to break down the Millers massed defence and similar to matches last season had the lions share of possession without ever really looking threatening. Indeed our distribution in the final third of the field undid all the other good work. Why for instance, having passed the ball around in the attempt to create an opening, did we resort to humping a long ball into the spaces for Kyd and Butler to run onto? Anyway, 0-0 at half-time, it being hard to recall either side having a real clear cut opening.
Second-half and United had visibly picked up the pace. Rees and Preece finally began to dominate in the middle of the park, spraying passes to all corners of the ground (and unfortunately often into touch as neither Wilson and especially Chenery seemed to be up to the pace of the game). Kyddie eventually latched on to a chip over the defence and lobbed the ball over the advancing Mimms... we held our breath as the ball hit the post, spun along the goal line before finally nestling in the back of the net...
Could United hang on? Hell no! We conceded a free kick in the corner which wasn't cleared properly (although I believe that Scotty should have claimed the ball as it was bouncing around in the box) and a Rotherham player aimlessly launched it into the box where it was hooked in - Rotherham scoring with their only real attack (shades of Scarborough).
For the second game in a row RM shocked us all by bringing Shaggy on with around 20-25 minutes to go - long enough to make an impression. Playing three up front certainly gives us more options. Taylor is good in the air and can hold up play, Butler is a tireless worker who shields the ball well and who reminds me of Claridge, whilst Kyddie's blinding pace is going to cause defences a lot of problems.
Williamson came on for a tiring Preece and chased and harried for everything. We may have the smallest midfield in the Division but in Williamson, Preece and Rees we arguably have one of the most skillful, with Wanless acting as the willing work-horse, much underrated but invaluable.
Finally we got the breakthrough, Shaggy's point blank header was blocked by Mimms but Shaggy was the first to react to hook the ball home. A thoroughly deserved win against a boring defensive side that got what they deserved - nothing!
Plus points:
The three centre-halves look solid. Foster is class, Marc Joseph is improving with every game and Jamie Campbell looks very solid.
Rees - this guy is excellent, a bit like Raynor but with better distribution.
Butler and Kyd - run their socks off. Always looking to go one on one against the last defender.
Minus points:
Is this the same Paul Wilson that was on loan last season? Ben Chenery - arguably the weak link. Reluctant to go forward. Positional sense poor.
That final ball... Diabolical!
We still need a 20 goal a season player. I know Kyddie has 2 from 3, but I'm not sure how long he can keep this up...
SteveJ@AbbeyRabbit
Many thanks to Steve for the match report.
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