Cambridge United: Van Heusden, Chenery, Ashbee (Mustoe 68'), Duncan, Wanless, Butler, Benjamin, Russell (Graham 86'), Kyd (Taylor 75'), Eustace, Wilson.
Bournemouth: Ovendale, Young, Warren, Howe, Cox, Mean, Jorgensen, Hayter (O'Neill 89'), Rawlinson, Stein (Lovell 89'), Fletcher. Referee: D. Crick (Worcester Park) |
RANDALL BUTT reports on a seaside start from which United can take some comfort.
WATCHING Cambridge United's second division opener was close to how it must have felt starting a holiday in Bournemouth at the weekend.
Saturday was a scorcher, beaches bulging, queues for the boat trip around the bay, brass band belting it out in the park, followed in the sultry evening by fireworks. A great week lay ahead. Sunday was as wet as only the English seaside can seem. Bored kids in the hotel stared at the stairod rain, parents gave us envious glances as we booked out to head home.
So it was at Dean Court, where 500 or so United fans saw their team dominate the first half against one of last season's second division pacesetters, and deservedly take the lead . . . another successful season under way?
Ten minutes into the second half United were 2-1 down, the defence straining to contain a resurgent home team, the attack struggling to regain the kind of cohesion which clearly startled their opponents early on. Manager Roy McFarland's inkling that the 4-3-3 system might unsettle Bournemouth, as it did higher division sides last season was spectacularly borne out.
A remark by former Tottenham player Steve Robinson, a Cherries player watching the game while on the injured list, illustrated just how big an impression United made. He said to his local Pressman: "I thought, hang on, what's going on here? Cambridge looked so good in the first half an hour I thought we were playing Brazil!"
Granted, United were wearing a gold strip similar to the South Americans, but Robinson's comment was more than a fashion assessment. With the strength of Ian Ashbee and Paul Wanless winning possession in midfield, and Alex Russell plus classy new acquisition Clive Wilson using it well, United were packing men into Bournemouth territory.
Michael Kyd's pace on the right was preventing the home defence settling into their game, as was the power of Trevor Benjamin on the other side of Martin Butler. There were some scary moments when vastly experienced Mark Stein ran at the heart of the United defence, but once Butler confidently ended the seven-match goal drought hanging over from last season, his side's fears about adapting to the higher division must have been fading fast.
If that 21st minute score could have been followed up in the first half, Bournemouth would have been unlikely to clamber back into the game, let alone win it. And Kyd, who did well to set up Butler's goal, must have re-run his own 27th minute chance a few times in his head on the journey home.
Set free by a Russell pass, the young striker shrugged off one challenge, side-stepped another defender and broke into the box, only to hit a hurried head-down shot which sliced off his boot and veered wide of the near post.
It still seemed like United's day, however, when Bournemouth made a mess of a penalty in the 32nd minute. Arjan Van Heusden raced off his line when Claus Jorgensen looked like getting the better of Scott Eustace, colliding with the Danish midfielder. Outside the box said the goalkeeper, inside said the referee. But Stein hit a spot kick which although powerful was too straight, giving Van Heusden the chance to deflect the ball over the bar with his legs.
"We were slow getting out of bed," was Jorgensen's way of explaining Bournemouth first-half performance. "We did some good hard talking in the break about being quicker and stronger."
They looked much more aware and awake after the break, but there was a high percentage of unintentional help from United, contributing to both of their goals, which came in a four-minute burst.
It was all too easy for Scott Mean to head for goal after the simple ploy of a long ball down the middle from his keeper. And McFarland was left to wonder why Benjamin, the designated marker, allowed Eddie Howe a free header at a corner.
However, Wanless was not merely speaking as a skipper trying to keep his players' heads up when he said: "We deserved something from the game. It was really frustrating, we had more of the play overall and could have had it wrapped up by half time."
Substitutes Neil Mustoe and John Taylor helped to make United look the more likely scorers once more in the final quarter-of-an-hour. But there was not a sliver of luck for Wanless when his 77th minute blaster was blocked on the goal-line by Howe, and another effort 10 minutes later ricocheted wide off a post then a defender's shoulder.
If it was any consolation Mean, just back at Bournemouth after three years with West Ham, made a point of praising United. "They're a good, strong team," he said. "It could easily have been 2-2, and they'll be all right at this level if they carry on playing like that."
Report © Cambridge Newspapers Ltd
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It would be unfair though not to acknowledge the, at times, breathtaking quality of football from a United side who during the first half threatened to cast aside a Bournemouth team who last season were invincible at Dean Court.
The interplay between Clive Wilson and Trevor Benjamin down the left side of the pitch was causing the Cherries endless head scratching problems, and the creation and communication between the front line looked likely to sew up the points before the interval. Michael Kyd and Martin Butler were showing tireless commitment in the piping-hot conditions, and indeed it was these two players who combined to give United a deserved 21st minute lead. Kyd bravely won the ball 45 yards from goal and delivered a pass into the path of Martin Butler who clinically finished the move with a powerful drive into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
The goal had been coming for a while, as United has slowly then surely imposed themselves on the game. They were passing with a crisp accuracy reminiscent of last season, and closing down the opposition at every opportunity. Trevor Benjamin was scaring the life out of the Bournemouth defence, with Ian Ashbee and Paul Wanless looking far more comfortable in the now traditional 4-3-3 formation adopted by Roy McFarland. Ashbee had a powerful drive spectacularly saved on 15 minutes, and from the resulting corner Butler failed to direct a header towards the goal.
After taking the lead United appeared to sit back and relax, which against a team who only lost two home games last season isn't the wisest thing to do. They continued to look neat and show accuracy when passing the ball, but had lost the 'bite' that was giving them such an advantage. The Cherries looked capable of taking advantage and a forward line lead by experienced striker Mark Stein were sure to gobble up any scraps thrown to them by the United defence.
Just after the half-hour mark it looked as though Bournemouth would draw level, after Ajran Van Heusden was judged to have tripped Jorgensen inside the box. Mark Stein stepped up to take the penalty, but was left with his head in his hands as United's huge Dutch goalkeeper spread himself well to save the kick with his feet, sending the roasting United fans behind the goal into a frenzy.
The second half seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye, almost as quickly as a one-goal lead turned into a shockingly depressing opening day defeat. Bournemouth emerged rejuvenated and quickly forced United onto the back foot. It only took them until the 52nd minute before they were back on level terms. Scott Mean latched onto a fine through ball from Eddie Howe, dropped his shoulder, swaggered beyond Andy Duncan and drilled the ball past Van Huesden and watched delighted as the net bulged.
Four minutes later provider turned provided as Howe met Mean's corner and watched his headed attempt rattle around the woodwork before nestling in the bottom of the net. It was a dramatic turnaround that left United shaken, but the U's managed to calm themselves and settle back into the rhythm that proved so effective during the first half. Roy McFarland reacted to the double blow by removing Ian Ashbee from midfield, and injecting the fresh legs and enthusiasm of Neil Mustoe. This change certainly looked to add greater shape and creative energy in the middle of the field, but it was visible that many of the players for both sides were tiring in the relentless summer sun.
Michael Kyd, who had a bright first half, was struggling to get into the game and on 75 minutes was replaced by last season's super-hero John Taylor. His experience and craft on the ball looked just the ticket as United immediately carved out two glorious opportunities to level the scores.
On 78 minutes Martin Butler robbed a Bournemouth defender of the ball and after a brief scuffle in the six-yard box the ball broke to the feet of John Taylor who with a seemingly open goal to aim for, managed to pick out the foot of goal-scorer Howe on the goal-line. The ball rebounded to Butler but his attempt was blocked for a corner.
Then, two minutes from the end, Taylor rose majestically at the far post to head a Clive Wilson cross into the path of Paul Wanless. Our captain met the ball with a firm header that crept between keeper and post, before being handled on the line by a Bournemouth defender and pushed behind. Remarkably Mr Crick, the inert and sub-standard referee who had done his very best to ruin the encounter, ignored United's appeals for a penalty and awarded a goal kick.
With this piece of diabolical officiating disappeared United's last chance to salvage a point which their brave and committed performance warranted. The final whistle blew, and the realisation that our Division Two campaign had started in defeat sunk in.
It was a performance though which indicated much better things are to come for the rest of the season. The worrying pre-season defensive frailties that cost us dear against the likes of Leyton Orient and Nuneaton never really materialised, and on the whole United frustrated a Bournemouth team who will no doubt consider themselves considerably fortunate to have taken all the points.
Arjan Van Heusden - 76% (8) Ben Chenery - 67% (7) Ian Ashbee - 70% (7) Andy Duncan - 69% (7) Scott Eustace - 69% (7) Clive Wilson - 82% (8) * mom Paul Wanless - 76% (8) Michael Kyd - 73% (7) Martin Butler - 72% (7) Trevor Benjamin - 76% (8) Alex Russell - 75% (7) Subs used: John Taylor - 68% (7) Mark Graham - 70% (7) Neil Mustoe - 72% (7)
Will Jones |
After 4 minutes Duncan missed a long punt downfield, recovered possession then gave the ball back to Stein inside our penalty area, but luckily Stein shot wide. Kyd had our first chance but blazed a shot high and wide, then a Wanless shot went well wide. Our quick passing was causing them problems, and after one such move Ashbee had a good shot tipped over the bar.
Bournemouth looked dangerous at times, Ashbee in the right place at the right time to head a curling free kick away for a corner. On 17 minutes their #14 was booked for kicking the ball away, then soon after Eustace was booked apparently for holding the opponent off when shielding the ball. From the free kick they had a shot across goal.
On 20 minutes we scored, an Ashbee tackle won possession for Kyd who advanced down the middle before feeding Butler just inside the area, his shot across the 'keeper and in. We continued pushing forward, Kyd had an overhead shot go past, and another shot was also wide. Russell had a quick turn in their area to make time for a shot which was saved.
On 31 minutes another long punt downfield beat our defence, near the corner of the penalty area the forward knocked the ball past the advancing Van Heusden who unfortunately brought him down with his trailing leg. The forward was not heading directly for goal and there were players getting back to cover so Van Heusden was booked despite the appeals for a sending off from their fans. Stein stepped up to take the penalty kick, as Van Heusden started to go to his left Stein hit the ball down the middle, but the ball hit the 'keepers legs and went out for a corner.
Just before half time their #19 (Jorgenson) was booked, I think for a bit of chat to the referee on an earlier decision not going his way, which is a bit surprising considering they seemed to be getting all the decisions! I presume they are not used to hot afternoons in Bournemouth as they ran out of soft drinks at half time! However the cup of tea was nice.
Early in the second half their #7 (Cox) was booked. After a foul which gave us a free kick he picked up the ball from where the foul was, and walked about 10 yards towards his own goal before giving the ball to the referee. How stupid can some players be? Chenery made a good run down the wing and crossed to set up Russell for a shot which was saved. Bournemouth slowed the game down by playing the ball back and forth along their defence before passing to the 'keeper. His long kick was headed on to their #5 (Mean) who scored to make the score 1-1.
A few minutes later they scored again with a firm angled near post header from a corner by #4 (Howe), a couple of players needing treatment from a clash of heads. Benjamin got booked, apparently for watching the ball and jumping to head the ball and not getting out of the way of the other chap who was doing the same (This was similar to the first half when one of their players got hurt going for a 50:50 ball with Benjamin, they got the free kick. I thought the referee had blown to get the trainer on and should have restarted with a drop-ball).
The game went into a period of stalemate with neither team able to do much. After 22 minutes Mustoe came on for Ashbee who had got a knock earlier. Their defenders then tried playing the ball around close to Benjamin, the ball was passed back to the 'keeper whose kick was charged down by Benjamin, but the ball was eventually cleared. Taylor came on for Kyd after 29 minutes.
The last 15 minutes was all pressure from us. A good cross I think from Wilson was headed back into the goal area by Taylor, the ball fell to Wanless who tried to place the ball into the corner (rather than blast a shot into the crowded area) but it was kicked off the goal line. 5 minutes from the end of normal time Russell came off for Graham. Wanless had another chance, but this time his shot was mis-timed and went straight to the 'keeper. Soon after he had a header hit the post (or a defender on the line).
We lost but I think a draw would have been a fair result, and if that is typical of the division standard we should not struggle too much. As a team we did OK, with players working for each other. However, the centre of defence was our weak point, neither Duncan or Eustace is the best of jumpers for the high ball, and they had a reasonably big centre forward. I would prefer Joseph alongside Duncan. They also had a good tall central defender (#7, Cox) who cut out any crosses. We had no aerial threat until Taylor came on, even then we did not make too many decent crosses. During the 20 minutes soon after the start of the second half we panicked a bit and resorted to the long ball which got us nowhere.
Our best periods were when we played the ball around on the ground, which was most of the first half and the last 15 minutes of the second half. Their #19 (Jorgenson from Denmark, who got their MoM) was able to exploit Russells lack of tackling before Ashbee went off, which changed when Mustoe came on. Plus points were the return to form of Benjamin, Wilson who looked good, Ashbee did well until injured, and Wanless who was able to get forward to support the attack, and Van Heusdens penalty save.
Terry Wilby
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Match Started in front of a crowd of 5,552 - Bright sunny sky lit up DC as the teams came out to some new, erm... 'improved' music, and pre-recorded intro from Geoff Barker from local radio station Classic Gold.
So the 100th year of Football in Bournemouth got underway - first few minutes started with some centre circle passing and was very uneventful. After 3 minutes AFCB concede a corner, which Ovendale catches and hoofs miles up the pitch which Stein latched on to and passed to Fletch who puts his shot wide. It took 7 minutes for Cambridge to have a shot, which was ballooned over the bar by Kyd. A minute later Kyd has another shot, this time it needed a superb tip over by Ovendale. Then the ball is knocked back and forth in the midfield area for what seemed like ages. After about 5 minutes of this, I was looking around the ground, and the only thing worth reporting was the apparent lack of the geriatric St. John's Ambulance bloke that usually sits behind rubbing his hands together for 90 mins., to warm them up (even in the Summer).
Anyway back to the match, all I can say for the most eventful thing in this few minutes was Stein winning a header! Ah, thing maybe getting more exciting, AFCB win a corner, Scotty takes it, but it was poor and then cleared. About now I am thinking this is heading for a dire 0-0 draw, when the ref, Mr David Crick, started what would be a long, hard and erm... crap display of officiating. The ref blows for a free kick, James kicks the ball about 2 yards infront of him, and is booked for kicking it away! Bournemouth then won a free kick, delivered into the box by Mean, cleared by Wanless strait to Christer, who puts his shot just wide of the post. Then, next a big shock - a defensive error by Eddie allows Cambridge's Martin Butler to drive in the opening goal of their 1999/2000 campaign.
0-1 - 21 mins
Well, that was not expected, time to push forward, - OI, I said push forward, no, don't loose the ball, don't forget about defending - another shot close to going in by Cambridge. After the half hour mark Cambridge's Benjamin went in hard on Rawlinson, should have at least been a booking, but the ref took no action. This really started the South Enders off, booing him and the ref for most of the match. Then the their Keeper should have been given an 'early bath' when he took Claus out in the box - but he stays.... Penalty to AFCB, surely Scott Mean will step up to bring back the Nostalgia of his era to Dean Court. But Stein places the ball on the spot, steps up, strikes it straight at the Keeper, who puts it over the bar. Stein has now missed both is spot kicks for AFCB. Can't believe it, maybe today will not go our way. Is Fortress Dean Court going to break at the first attempt?
Leading up to Half Time we see some great skills from Claus. Then he is booked, answers on a post-card to BOTW with a reason for this!
Half Time: AFC Bournemouth 0 - 1 Cambridge
3 minutes into the half Cox is booked by the ref, again send answers on a post-card or a sealed down Haddock! Then a few minutes after that Scott Mean latches on to a through ball from midfield a blasts the ball towards goal, and it sails into the back of the net, a fantastic strike on his League return to DC. Many more like that to come I think!
1-1 - 51 mins
Straight after the restart Claus breaks away and fires a shot wide, Cambridge Keeper then get the treatment from the South End. A few minutes later AFCB scorer Mean, turns provider as he delivers a great corner onto the steady head of Eddie Howe, who slots the ball into the back of the net, and straight away goes down injured after a clash of heads. Gets up after a minute looking pretty dazed, but chuffed with is fine goal.
2-1 - 55 mins
Later on Cambridge's Benjamin goes in for another crunching challenge on Fletch, but he is still on the pitch with not even a booking, does this guy have 9 lives or what! Then straight after that Benjamin appears to punch Cox in the face right infront of the ref. The ref sees it, but what action will he take, Red Card? no he books him, a really stupid decision, considering the offence. A little later on we get a heart stopper from Mark Ovendale as he tries to take the ball round Benjamin, and nearly lets him in to score. After a little end-to-end stuff, Claus latched on the a free kick, and tries his luck with a shot-come-cross from the corner of the 18 yard box.
In the last few minutes Cambridge come very close from a corner, after a some poor defending in the box. All nail biting stuff at the end, Mick Cunningham's Mum who sits near me could not even bare to look. Eventually, after 5 minutes of Injury time the ref blows up, and its 3 point in the bag for Mel Machin's Barmy Army. But Cambridge did look quite impressive and gave us a good run out, even though they seemed hell bent on breaking someone's leg.
My MOTM: Claus Jorgensen - Solid, Skilful & Impressive
Official MOTM: Claus Jorgensen
Thanks to Mark Simpson for permission to reproduce his report.
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On a hot afternoon in Dorset, Cambridge United were undone by two second half lapses, as recent defensive frailties came worryingly to the fore.
After a fairly fruitless pre-season campaign based on the 4-4-2 formation, Roy McFarland used the absence of the injured Jamie Cassidy to revert to 4-3-3 today and at first it seemed to be paying off. United's travelling hordes (an estimated 500 fans) watched as the Us played good football before the break, inventive in midfield and lively up front, creating several chances.
Kyd went close shortly afterwards, dragging a shot just wide of goal, but the warning bells were ringing in the 32nd minute when Claus Jorgensen broke through and was clipped by Van Heusden on the edge of the box. Although the goalkeeper claimed his innocence there was little doubt that it was a penalty, but veteran Mark Stein placed it straight down the middle and Van Heusden saved with his legs. (Half-time 0-1)
After the break it was defensive frailties to the fore as the Cherries fought back. In the 52nd minute a long clearance from Ovendale was headed on by Fletcher and Scott Mean sliced through the defence to place an unstoppable shot past Van Heusden, and four minutes later former England under-21 international Eddie Howe put the Cherries ahead. He met Mean's corner with a thunderous header and scored despite the efforts of Arjan Van Heusden and Clive Wilson.
Jorgensen went close with two long range efforts and United almost equalised in the 78th minute through skipper Paul Wanless, but his shot through a crowded box was cleared off the line by Howe.
Despite the defeat, Mark Johnson believes we can take heart from today's game, especially from the first half performance, and we will play worse sides this season than Bournemouth who missed out on the play-offs last season by goal difference. His man of the match: The "inspirational" Paul Wanless.
Other plus points to come from the game were the commitment of Trevor Benjamin as he terrified the Cherries' defence, and the composure of Clive Wilson at left back. The 37-year-old linked well with Benjamin and looked among the fittest men on the pitch as others wilted around him. The calls have already started for him to be handed a long-term deal!
*** DIVISION TWO RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ***
AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Cambridge United 5,552
Blackpool 2-1 Wrexham 5,008
Bristol Rovers 0-0 Brentford 8,514
Bury 2-1 Gillingham 4,014
Cardiff City 1-1 Millwall 10,193
Chesterfield 0-1 Colchester United 2,930
Notts County 0-0 Luton Town 6,141
Oldham Athletic 0-1 Preston North End 9,432
Reading 2-1 Bristol City 13,348
Stoke City 1-2 Oxford United 11,300
Wigan Athletic 3-0 Scunthorpe United 7,481
Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Burnley 6,119
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Four minutes of defensive inadequacy swept a performance of style, control and skill to the back of the mind, as Cambridge United crashed to an opening day defeat in baking hot Bournemouth.
Man of the match: Clive Wilson showed his pedigree with a classy performance of skill, control, awareness and vision. His play down the left was the catalyst for many of United's attacking moves, and a breath of fresh air. He might be approaching the age of your average television pundit, yet today he was not only the best, but also the fastest player on the park.
Bournemouth's Rawlinson had a good chance after five minutes but shot wide of goal from twenty yards out, and five minutes later last season's top scorer Martin Butler saw his effort tipped over the cross bar by 'keeper Ovendale. However Butler (right) made no mistake in the 21st minute when put through by Michael Kyd and he slid the ball under the 'keeper - "a cool finish on a hot day", in the words of match reporter Mark Johnson.