Cambridge United 3
Ibehre (4)
Maris (22)
Brown (58)Crawley Town 1
Payne (49 pen)
Line-Ups
Cambridge United - Forde, Halliday, Taft, Taylor, Carroll, Amoo (Waters), Deegan, Maris (O'Neil), Dunk, Brown, Ibehre (Ikpeazu)
Crawley Town - Morris, Young, Connolly, Yorwerth, Evina (Sanoh), Payne, Randall (Camara), Bulman, Smith (Boldewijn), Ahearne-Grant, Roberts
Attendance
4,131 with 199 Crawley Town fans.
Summary
Although pouring it down for the majority of the game, United's hearts were not dampened as a professional performance earned them a deserved 3 points against Crawley Town. United never seemed troubled, dashing into an early lead through good work down the right allowing Ibehre to convert. 18 minutes passed, an exquisite free-kick from George Maris set the U's alight going into half-time. Crawley Town did start to press as the weather got worse, a Jabo Ibehre foul gave Josh Payne the opportunity to give the Red Devils a consolation and a way back into the game. However, cool composure from Jevani Brown restored the two-goal advantage and United held on.
Joe Dunne had a slightly different approach to the game, switching from a diamond formation to a standard 4/4/2. David Amoo with his first start since the 0-0 draw at Colchester in January. Jake Carroll too drafted back into the squad after a brief spell on the bench, drafting Harrison Dunk back into his winger role. Jevani Brown too pushed into a more attacking role and George Maris set to pull the strings alongside Gary Deegan. Uche Ikpeazu settling for the bench. For our opponents, dangerman Karlan Ahearne-Grant starting up front alongside Jordan Roberts. Options on the bench in Panutche Camara and Enzio Boldewijn.
Cambridge United came out of the blocks firing, forcing Crawley Town into conceding two corners courtesy of dominant play down the right-side from the ever-tricky David Amoo supported by Brad Halliday. On the second corner, United found the lead! A delightful Jevani Brown cross found a looming Jabo Ibehre who, with both power and accuracy, found the corner to make it 1-0 with 4 minutes on the clock.
More tricky play from Harrison Dunk forced a free-kick minutes later, Brown's shot hitting the wall.
Former U loanee Karlan Ahearne-Grant was proving rather dominant with his athleticism but a resilient Greg Taylor limited him to opportunities.
As the minutes passed, Harrison Dunk grew more into the game, receiving lots of the ball and creating opportunities and winning free-kicks. On the 22nd minute, a high-kick on Ibehre gave United a free-kick from 25 yards where George Maris coolly curled the ball over the wall and into the left corner. 2-0 Cambridge and with the way they were playing, more was coming.
As the half wore on, both sides of the pitch were dangerous, Amoo and Maris linking up well as were Dunk and Carroll. A cracking tackle on Jordan Roberts from Gary Deegan added tension.
The U's were unlucky not to go into the break with a three-goal advantage, Jevani Brown being denied a goal courtesy of a Glenn Morris save. Routine half from all of the 11.
A few minutes into the second half and Crawley had a consolation. A Jabo Ibehre foul gave the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Payne sending David Forde the wrong way and giving Crawley a real chance to go at the U's. However, a determined spell meant United went to Crawley with full belief to go two in front and reduce any potential danger.
Straight away, a teasing Maris cross found Amoo who was unlucky. Jordan Roberts, who had been marked out of the game well, came close with a header. Like a basketball match, the U's broke straight down towards the Newmarket Road End and an audacious peach of a shot from George Maris, which showed a lot of finesse, grazed the post. Before they knew it, Cambridge were comfortable and 3-1 ahead. A delightful through ball from George Maris found Jevani Brown who was just onside, found time and the composure to beat Morris and tap into an empty net, setting up the celebrations towards the delighted NRE fans.
From here, Crawley threatened as did Amoo down the right-side before a thunderbolt Jevani Brown shot smashed into the brave face of a Crawley defender who blocked the ball and needed treatment straight away. A deserved applause from the home fans followed.
Joe Dunne unleashed options in Uche Ikpeazu and Billy Waters who cleared up any danger and saw plenty of the ball. As the weather worsened, the quality of play did too, a Panutche Camara effort lacking power from the surface as was a brief spell in Crawley's box where Billy Waters tried to put a shot on the plate. That was to be that for the U's, a very good Good Friday indeed. United back to winning ways who will no doubt travel up North with confidence.
More tricky play from Harrison Dunk forced a free-kick minutes later, Brown's shot hitting the wall.
Former U loanee Karlan Ahearne-Grant was proving rather dominant with his athleticism but a resilient Greg Taylor limited him to opportunities.
As the minutes passed, Harrison Dunk grew more into the game, receiving lots of the ball and creating opportunities and winning free-kicks. On the 22nd minute, a high-kick on Ibehre gave United a free-kick from 25 yards where George Maris coolly curled the ball over the wall and into the left corner. 2-0 Cambridge and with the way they were playing, more was coming.
As the half wore on, both sides of the pitch were dangerous, Amoo and Maris linking up well as were Dunk and Carroll. A cracking tackle on Jordan Roberts from Gary Deegan added tension.
The U's were unlucky not to go into the break with a three-goal advantage, Jevani Brown being denied a goal courtesy of a Glenn Morris save. Routine half from all of the 11.
A few minutes into the second half and Crawley had a consolation. A Jabo Ibehre foul gave the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Payne sending David Forde the wrong way and giving Crawley a real chance to go at the U's. However, a determined spell meant United went to Crawley with full belief to go two in front and reduce any potential danger.
Straight away, a teasing Maris cross found Amoo who was unlucky. Jordan Roberts, who had been marked out of the game well, came close with a header. Like a basketball match, the U's broke straight down towards the Newmarket Road End and an audacious peach of a shot from George Maris, which showed a lot of finesse, grazed the post. Before they knew it, Cambridge were comfortable and 3-1 ahead. A delightful through ball from George Maris found Jevani Brown who was just onside, found time and the composure to beat Morris and tap into an empty net, setting up the celebrations towards the delighted NRE fans.
From here, Crawley threatened as did Amoo down the right-side before a thunderbolt Jevani Brown shot smashed into the brave face of a Crawley defender who blocked the ball and needed treatment straight away. A deserved applause from the home fans followed.
Joe Dunne unleashed options in Uche Ikpeazu and Billy Waters who cleared up any danger and saw plenty of the ball. As the weather worsened, the quality of play did too, a Panutche Camara effort lacking power from the surface as was a brief spell in Crawley's box where Billy Waters tried to put a shot on the plate. That was to be that for the U's, a very good Good Friday indeed. United back to winning ways who will no doubt travel up North with confidence.
Stats
Cambridge United found 55% of possession today compared to Crawley Town's 45%, mopping up any dangerous attacks and playing some sweet passes and switches all game. They had 5 shots on target, taking 3 of them which is certainly credible and something which has been a regular occurrence this season. Crawley limited to just two. Both teams with two off target. With the three points for the U's, they leapfrogged Crawley into 13th place, now on 54 points. A 6 point deficit to 10th place Carlisle. Crawley however 6 games without a win and conceding 11 goals in 3 games.
Player Ratings
Starting XI
Forde - 7/10 - Not too much required from David today, compared to last Saturday at least. Slippery surface however so he dealt with shots on the floor well. Went the wrong way for the penalty but still commanding as usual.
Halliday - 8/10 - Linked up extremely well with Amoo and always eager to attack, proving creative with his crosses into the box. Sound defensively too, not much troubled him.
Taft - 7/10 - Mopped up well, his presence makes United a tidier outfit, reducing any mistakes and keeping a solid line. Dominant in the air once again, gave Crawley's attackers nothing.
Taylor - 7/10 - The usual performance from Greg, no real problems. Dealt with an inspired Ahearne-Grant especially well.
Carroll - 7/10 - I thought Jake took his chance very well today. Like Halliday, he offers the U's a lot when getting forward, both he and Dunk linked well together. A mazy run late on which found Ibehre, unlucky not to get an assist out of it.
Amoo - 8/10 - It's refreshing to see David play 70 minutes and get through unscathed. Once again, deadly. Supplies real ammunition with his crosses and blessed with real pace.
Deegan - 8/10 - A proper 90-minute performance from Gary. Did not switch off whatsoever and commanded his players well. Some top tackling too and really does come across as imposing to opponents.
Maris - 9/10 MOTM - What a joy to watch George Maris is. An exquisite free-kick, fantastic vision to pick out Brown and deserved another goal which was ever so close. Settled in the central-midfield role incredibly well and is adding more goals to his game now which is great. Improving more by the game.
Dunk - 8/10 - The Dunk we all know and love. Always gives his all as a winger, loves to beat his man and supply the strikers with opportunities. All-round solid.
Brown - 8/10 - Back to his form of late 2017 it seems. Added a different element to the side today and deserved his goal which he took very well.
Ibehre - 7/10 - Set the U's on their way with a good header early on and his physical element made it a difficult afternoon for Yorwerth and Connolly.
Substitutes:
Ikpeazu - 6/10 - Came back to defend a lot of the time and did his part, probably felt frustrated with the lack of opportunities he was given but there's no doubt he'll receive a full 90 again soon.
Waters - 6/10 - Closed down Crawley well, very nearly offering a way in with great pressure. A brief, yet good, cameo.
O'Neil - 6/10 - He wasn't given much time, but got himself about and shored things up as the clock run down.
Forde - 7/10 - Not too much required from David today, compared to last Saturday at least. Slippery surface however so he dealt with shots on the floor well. Went the wrong way for the penalty but still commanding as usual.
Halliday - 8/10 - Linked up extremely well with Amoo and always eager to attack, proving creative with his crosses into the box. Sound defensively too, not much troubled him.
Taft - 7/10 - Mopped up well, his presence makes United a tidier outfit, reducing any mistakes and keeping a solid line. Dominant in the air once again, gave Crawley's attackers nothing.
Taylor - 7/10 - The usual performance from Greg, no real problems. Dealt with an inspired Ahearne-Grant especially well.
Carroll - 7/10 - I thought Jake took his chance very well today. Like Halliday, he offers the U's a lot when getting forward, both he and Dunk linked well together. A mazy run late on which found Ibehre, unlucky not to get an assist out of it.
Amoo - 8/10 - It's refreshing to see David play 70 minutes and get through unscathed. Once again, deadly. Supplies real ammunition with his crosses and blessed with real pace.
Deegan - 8/10 - A proper 90-minute performance from Gary. Did not switch off whatsoever and commanded his players well. Some top tackling too and really does come across as imposing to opponents.
Maris - 9/10 MOTM - What a joy to watch George Maris is. An exquisite free-kick, fantastic vision to pick out Brown and deserved another goal which was ever so close. Settled in the central-midfield role incredibly well and is adding more goals to his game now which is great. Improving more by the game.
Dunk - 8/10 - The Dunk we all know and love. Always gives his all as a winger, loves to beat his man and supply the strikers with opportunities. All-round solid.
Brown - 8/10 - Back to his form of late 2017 it seems. Added a different element to the side today and deserved his goal which he took very well.
Ibehre - 7/10 - Set the U's on their way with a good header early on and his physical element made it a difficult afternoon for Yorwerth and Connolly.
Substitutes:
Ikpeazu - 6/10 - Came back to defend a lot of the time and did his part, probably felt frustrated with the lack of opportunities he was given but there's no doubt he'll receive a full 90 again soon.
Waters - 6/10 - Closed down Crawley well, very nearly offering a way in with great pressure. A brief, yet good, cameo.
O'Neil - 6/10 - He wasn't given much time, but got himself about and shored things up as the clock run down.
Views from the dugout
Joe Dunne was especially pleased with his player's performance. "We talked about energy and real intensity," they certainly showed that today, impressing the fans with a new-look style which he states we can get accustomed to soon. He was delighted with the first 15 to 20 minutes as the U's "set the tone of things." "That's football, isn't it?" The penalty is unfortunate.." is how we stated the start to the second half went, praising the way the U's responded from the consolation. He also went over how the goal "gave us the belief to go on and get the third one and not panic and that was great." The whole 11 men showed that as they took their game to Crawley, bruising them and grabbing that third goal to breathe life into a strong-looking U's side.In terms of George Maris' exceptional performance, Dunne said how "the fact is a young player is developing at our club in a positive way" and that the "key thing is he's adding goals to his game.. it's exciting."
In the away dugout, Crawley Town's boss, for now, Harry Kewell had a few words to say. It's clear he was disappointed, blaming 'sloppy' goals, criticising the poor defending from his players. "It's disappointing again, we've given away two sloppy goals again; for me it's very hard." When you have aspirations to take Crawley Town to the Premier League, it clearly needs addressing. He also believed the refereeing decisions were "interesting." "The second one, if you look at the situation, the referee's got a lot of questions to answer." The questions exactly were not stated.
Referee Watch
7.5 out of 10. Compared to previous performances we've seen at the Abbey this season, I had very little problems with Craig Hicks. He gave the correct decisions for the majority of the game.
Stray Observations
Thoughts go out to Luton Town midfielder and former United star Luke Berry who suffered a nasty injury against Colchester United yesterday. It's something you wouldn't wish on anyone. Quick, and safe, recovery Luke.
George Maris last week stated he wants double figures for the season, with 6 games left to grab 3 goals, you wouldn't bet against it. Some player he's turning out for the U's. Will he be good enough to match the quality of Luke Berry's 2016/17 season? I think so.
Crawley Town defender Lewis Young probably hasn't had the best of weeks compared to his brother, Ashley of Manchester United, who started for England against Italy on Tuesday.
3-1 up, 5 minutes to go, Gary Deegan still commanding his team to stick to their positions like their lives depends on it. For the first time in a while the U's have a proper leader of men in Gary.
Hats off to Ian Darler, Cambridge United's groundsman, producing a glorious sight of the pitch for us all today. A lucky charm, maybe?
Ian Miller being wheeled out on a wheelchair at half-time is another reason why we all love this football club.
Have a wonderful Bank Holiday all. Up the U's!
Owen Mizon
Mizonowen@gmail.com
Great blog owen!
ReplyDelete