The Abbey Stadium, home of Cambridge United based in Cambridgeshire. Nicknamed the “U’s” due to ‘United’ being part of their name. 22nd September 2018 and Mansfield are away at Cambridge and off me and the Super Stag went. A first time visiting Cambridge for me and I had been told only good things from people. “The nicest away day in League 2” my mate the Super Stag there. Hope he’s not wrong!
2 and half hours on the supporters coach and we had landed in Cambridge and the people who told me about Cambridge weren’t wrong, I thought “my Mum would love this!” A few drinks and a McDonalds later and we were going in. £20 to watch this League 2 tie! Hurray!
Kick Off! “Cambridge till I die! I’m Cambridge till I die! I know I am I’m sure I am I’m Cambridge till I die!” Plenty of noise from the Cambridge end of the ground, what about the away end? “We’re the Yellow and Blue army!” Looking like a sing off today! Slow start to the game, let’s hope things change! 19 minutes in and Cambridge had a corner, ball whipped in, it’s Barry Corr! And a good save from Mansfield’s Bobby Olejnik.
26 minutes and Bobby Olejnik took a free kick deep in the Mansfield half and he lumped it forward, Danny Rose flicks it on towards Tyler Walker who was beaten in the air by Cambridge’s Jake Carroll who headed it away, but not far enough IT’S DANNY ROSE!!! IT’S 1-0 TO MANSFIELD!! Poor defending by Cambridge and Mansfield were in front! Cambridge came out fighting after going behind. They were awarded a free kick which was taken quickly, Reggie Lambe bares down on goal…… OFF THE LINE!! Ryan Sweeney clears for Mansfield. Cambridge continued to press but couldn’t find the winning formula before the break. Half time the score was 0-1.
Second half, Neal Bishop had the ball in space around 25 yards out and he struck for glory!! But it was just wide of the net. Mansfield continued the pressure, 55 minutes and a ball into the middle Danny Rose! OVERHEAD KICK!!! IT’S OFF THE BAR… What a goal that could have been! Cambridge started to take control of the game for the remainder of the game. 75 minutes and David Amoo was pushing forward for Cambridge and he slides it through to Ade Azeez… Good save by Olejnik!! Another chance for Cambridge… OFF THE LINE!! Ryan Sweeney again off the line for Mansfield. Relentless from Cambridge, could Mansfield hold on?
88 minutes gone, a ball hit forward to the Mansfield box, headed down towards the edge of the box, IT’S GEORGE MARIS!!! DEFLECTED IN OFF THE POST!!! WHAT A HIT!! 1-1! No, Mansfield couldn’t hold on and Cambridge got their deserved equaliser. Stoppage time and Cambridge came forward again and a half volley for Liam O’Neill…… Just wide and so close to winning it for Cambridge.
FT: Cambridge United 1-1 Mansfield Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 8/10 – Both sets of fans were equally as good as each other with plenty of noise.
- The Ground: 8/10 – It’s a lovely ground in a lovely place! Joe Clarke wasn’t wrong when he said this was the nicest away day in League 2.
- Expense: 7/10 – An Intense affair in the end for that price, fantastic!
- Overall Experience: 7/10 – A good day out overall, I’m sure if Mansfield won it would’ve been better though!
30/40