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Cambridge United 1-1 Town - Match Report
Saturday, 23rd Jul 2016 16:51

Andre Dozzell put Town ahead with seven minutes remaining having come off the bench but Cambridge’s Jo Pigott netted an equaliser on 89 as the Blues’ pre-season friendly at the Abbey Stadium ended 1-1.

Adam Webster made his first start in a Town shirt and Daryl Murphy his first start of pre-season, while David McGoldrick was on the bench having recovered from the hip injury which has kept him out of the previous three friendlies.

Manager Mick McCarthy named a team largely made up of the players who came on for the final half hour or so at Colchester on Wednesday.

Keeper Dean Gerken missed out with a hamstring injury and Michael Crowe took his place on the bench.

Second-year scholar Flynn Downes and first-year Tristan Nydam, both midfielders, were also included as cover with the U21s having been in action at Coggeshall on Friday night.

Town had most of the ball in the early stages without creating a significant opportunity, aside from two corners.

In sweltering conditions it was Cambridge who hit the game’s first shot in the 10th minute but George Maris’s low drive failed to significantly test Bartosz Bialkowski.

The Blues had the ball in the net in the 15th minute but with the linesman’s flag having been raised.

James Blanchfield, playing wide on the left with Teddy Bishop again on the right, fed right-back Josh Emmanuel, who chipped over a cross which Murphy headed goalwards. Cambridge keeper Will Norris palmed the ball away and Shane McLoughlin tapped in from close range but having strayed offside.


Town continued to have most of the ball but without creating many further chances. On 22 Murphy hit a shot on the turn just past Norris’s left post.

Four minutes later Luke Hyam required treatment after twisting his knee as he fell and after briefly carrying on was replaced by Nydam, making his first appearance for the first team.

Just prior to the first-year scholar’s introduction Cambridge weren’t far away from going in front. Joe Pigott beat Christophe Berra in the air and nodded down to Maris, who shot just past Bialkowski’s right post.

The U’s should have gone in front in the 44th minute when Emmanuel lost the ball in the Cambridge half and a long Greg Clarke ball sent Maris in on goal on the left. The striker took the ball round the advancing Bialkowski stroked it against the outside of the post.

That was the final action of a first half in which the Blues probably should have been behind with Maris having failed to take two decent chances with the one before the break easier to score than miss.

Town had kept the ball well at times but without creating many opportunities. Murphy’s header prior to McLoughlin’s disallowed effort having been their best chance.

Both sides stuck with their starting XIs at the beginning of a second half in which the home side hit the first shot, Max Clark’s volley from the edge of the box flying wide.

On 50 Jonas Knudsen cut in and hit a deflected shot wide. Soon after, Murphy made a mazy run into the area before being crowded out with the Blues starting to look more threatening.

Eight minutes later, the Irish international brought the ball in from the right before hitting a shot which was deflected wide.

McGoldrick was introduced for McLoughlin in the 59th minute, while Freddie Sears took over from Blanchfield.

On 67 both sides made eight substitutions. For the Blues Myles Kenlock and Luke Chambers took over from Knudsen and Emmanuel, while Tommy Smith and Paul Digby came in for Berra and Webster.

In midfield, Dozzell came on on the right for Bishop, Kevin Bru and Jonathan Douglas took over from Nydam - who never looked out of place during his cameo - in the centre. Up front, Brett Pitman came on for Murphy.

Smith wasn’t too far away from a goal in the 73rd minute when he flicked a looping near-post header from Dozzell’s right-sided corner only just past the far post.

Cambridge threatened two minutes later when Mark Roberts headed the ball down to Josh Coulson, who was unable to keep his shot down.

The Blues should have gone in front in the 79th minute when McGoldrick played Sears in one-on-one with Cambridge keeper Norris, who did well to block.

But the travelling army of Town fans behind the goal didn’t have to wait too long for a goal.

Dozzell brought the ball forward from deep and it eventually reached Sears on the right, who crossed low to the England U17 international, who hit a low, left-foot shot on the turn from eight yards, which beat Norris.

However, Town’s lead wasn’t to last for long. With a minute of scheduled time remaining, the Blues lost possession in the middle of the field and Conor Newton fed Pigott, who beat the advancing Bialkowski. Referee Andy Woolmer blew the final whistle soon afterwards.

The Blues would have deserved the win had they hung on for the final couple of minutes having been on top for most of the second half. However, Cambridge will feel they ought to have been ahead after the first. Town are next in action at Charlton on Tuesday.

Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel (Chambers 67), Knudsen (Kenlock 67), Hyam (Nydam 34 (Bru 67)), Webster (Digby 67), Berra (c) (Smith 67), Bishop (Dozzell 67), Skuse (Douglas 67), Murphy Pitman 67), McLoughlin (McGoldrick 59), Blanchfield (Sears 59). Unused: Crowe, Stewart, Malarczyk, Downes.


Photo: Action Images



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unknown100 added 16:56 - Jul 23
I know it's only pre season but still sounds like we lack creativity... Feel like we still need some wingers, wingers add shape and width and pin back defences so people like bishop have more space, see what happens in the next couple of weeks, hopefully he's been playing dumb and had 2 or 3 loan players/permanent players lined up from the start and going to make us all eat our words
3

toxtethblue added 17:03 - Jul 23
Town conceed last minute equaliser shocker! Same old same old. No ambition = no improvement/change
3

poldark added 17:10 - Jul 23
Sorry toxtehtblue pressed wrong button why would anyone give you a minus for telling the truth must be brain dead
This club is going nowhere under this manager
1

norfolk1 added 17:15 - Jul 23
Get in Steve Bruce
2

poldark added 17:22 - Jul 23
Another idiot marks you down and gives no reason !!!
-9

Daleyitfc added 17:26 - Jul 23
Cameron Stewart back out in the cold : that didn't take long.
16

GenericIpswichFan added 17:27 - Jul 23
£700k outlay, a million if you factor in Clarke. Ambitionless is clear, much of Evans outlay can't legally or contractually be repaid until we're a top flight side so he's obviously trying to wriggle out of that so he can sell PR to some developers and they can build a leisure centre.

I for one am flabbergasted that what is effectively a training game isn't taken more seriously and that we are not all reading more into that. The failure of some on here to not block out platitudes from the club about signings is beyond belief.

1

phillo added 17:32 - Jul 23
GenericIpswichFan - I assume you are being sarcastic about the selling PR gibe at Evans ? If not your a plum ...... the club leases the ground from Ipswich Borough Council & cannot therefore "sell" anything except the club as a going concern.
You can through much at Evans - and some do unfairly in my view - but he's not one of those owners looking to cash in via a quick property deal !
8

Bluetone added 17:39 - Jul 23
@ phillo I think you mean he cannot therefore "sell" anything except the club as a going, going, gone concern. -
-2

Sindre94 added 17:52 - Jul 23
It's just a friendly. Calm down. We'll see where we are come August. Last time I checked you arent handed points in friendlies.
12

battyblue added 18:26 - Jul 23
A so called friendly but surly you go there to put as many goals past the opposition as you can and show the manager what you can do or in our case cannot do it seems,our chances created ,shots on target,and goal scoring is appalling,,it was last season and nothing has changed we can all see what level we are at by the clubs we are playing against and still struggling to create opportunities,god help us if things don't change in the next couple of weeks.
8

jas0999 added 18:37 - Jul 23
The fact of the matter is we were playing Cambridge. Results are to a degree irrelevant, but there is no hiding from the fact we have managed just two goals from Barnet, Colchester and Cambridge. That isn't good enough. The squad isn't big enough. There isn't enough quality. The transfer activity has been bitterly disappointing. Big changes now required or it's going to be a poor, negative and boring season. Remarkable we aren't going all out in a friendly. Mcks plan seems to be play for a point away and a one nil at home. Dull stuff. But a premium price to watch!
18

whosroundisitanyway added 18:47 - Jul 23
You sad sad people.
1

RegencyBlue added 18:51 - Jul 23
phillo

Is that why the training ground is now owned by one of Evans other companies then and why I think he tried to actually buy the ground from Ipswich Borough Council a while back.

Fortunately IBC said no!
3

HarryS_H added 19:06 - Jul 23
This is pre season... we're using it to give a chance for fringe players and get players back to full fitness and mock says he's looking for wingers what are you lot moaning about. This no ambition crap is boring now, obviously we want to go forward or Wed have sold all out players and be relegated by now...
4

surgery added 19:23 - Jul 23
Probably would have sold them except nobody wanted them
1

algarvefan added 19:38 - Jul 23
Guys calm down FFS Mick like many other managers wants to look at all his current fringe players and at this stage these games (which mean nothing) are about fitness improvement and giving everyone a game.
Lets at least wait before the season starts before the wailing and nashing of teeth start, it's football, get a grip!!
11

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:53 - Jul 23
Worrying inability to score. Nothing much changes there from last season. Hope we can address this soon, even if it means a loan. We need a goal scorer. Murph has been good for us, but I don't somehow think he will do the business again this season.
3

blueboy1981 added 22:58 - Jul 23
Have you got the message yet - MUGS. (you know who it applies to).

If not - like the Club, there's no hope for you either.
2

GiveusaWave added 23:39 - Jul 23
Nydam did really well given he played 93 mins at Coggeshall 24 hours before. Rest up Hyam and hope the injury isn't too bad.
2

midastouch added 01:48 - Jul 24
pre-season games aren't just about fitness, they are also about building confidence. some fans on here are a lot more confident about our chances this season than others. some even sound like they are happy to dance in the streets when we finish 7th! however, as far as i'm aware the team that finishes 17th gets exactly the same as the team that finishes 7th, i.e. sweet FA!
i think we'll be lucky to finish as high as 7 this season. as for top two, i don't think we've got a hoof in hell! the thing that saddens me is i want to be in the positive camp believing we're going to defy the odds and have a great season, and believe you me if we do achieve that i'll be more than happy to eat humble pie. but i can't deny it, i've just got a nasty feeling this season isn't going to be one to remember! yes of course it's only my gut feeling and i'd be so happy to be wrong as my life will be miserable getting stick from all the norwich folk if they have a great season and we have a crap one. so please ipswich, prove us doubters wrong!
if the team can get off to a reasonable start it will do wonders around these parts to improve morale, i think we really do need that to steady the jitters and nerves. granted there's no need to panic yet, but if we keep struggling to come by goals and play it ugly, i fear panic could quickly spread to the terraces and team. let's hope the positive brigade are right to keep their faith, because if things don't go to plan, their faith might be tested to breaking point. some of us seem at breaking point already, but you know how fickle fans to be. if we beat norwich early doors and get a few valuable points in the bag, needless to say morale will be much improved. but if we don't, then panic could spread far and wide.
here's hoping to the best of starts against barnsley. be lovely to get off to a winning start, would be just the tonic to lift the mood round these parts. i do still believe that the team needs more investment to paper over some of the cracks. indeed there's still time for a couple of rabbits to come out of the hat, but the clock is ticking...
if the pre-season games are anything to go by we do need some additions. i think we can all at least agree on that.
6

midastouch added 01:55 - Jul 24
And talking of fickle, if we beat Norwich I promise to change my Avatar picture to I Love Mick! I would do that with absolute pleasure! You have my word! :-)
0

midastouch added 02:06 - Jul 24
one last thought, yes football is essentially a results business, but it's also nice to be suitably entertained and excited in the process of picking up winning results along the way. call me greedy, but i'd much prefer to watch us win pretty rather than ugly. mick would argue it's not possible on our current budget, and he's prob got a point given ME is giving him peanuts. that is a fair point of contention. but given our long and proud history and traditionally being known as a team that likes to try and play an attractive style, i think the thing that rankles with some of us is that the football hasn't been very pretty, in fact very often ugly! yes you need to mix it up as mick said the other day, but the mix (certainly for plenty of matches last season) has been far too weighed towards the ugly side compared to the pretty side. hopefully mick can find a better balance of good, bad and ugly this season. if he finds the perfect balance we might be looking at a fistful of millions in the prem, it seems like mission impossible right now. if only marcus would give him a few dollars more!!! :-)
3

BrettenhamBlue added 04:14 - Jul 24
We need two or three signings urgently or else we are about to have a season we will wish we could forget. In total agreement with midastouch, these preseason games are about building confidence and our first team and youngsters won't have much of that after some pretty awful results. Narrow win at Shelbourne, outplayed for large periods at Colchester, draws at Cambridge and Coggeshall and a well deserved defeat to Hadleigh. Not exactly awe inspiring.
5

battyblue added 06:06 - Jul 24
Apologies toxtethblue I hit the down button trying to see the voting lists,agree with your post.
1


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