Date: Saturday 29th October 2005
Competition: Nationwide Conference
Referee: Mr R.L. Shoebridge
Att: 2,413 (away 146)
Weather at kick-off: overcast

United came from behind to beat the managerless Red Devils at the Abbey Stadium, but the visitors fought back to ensure a tense finale.

Rob Newman made two changes to the side knocked out of the FA Cup at Weymouth last weekend. Fit-again leading scorer Fola Onibuje was recalled in place of Matt Nolan, while Darren Quinton missed out with an ankle injury and his place in midfield was taken by David Chick, making his first appearance since August after injury and a lengthy suspension kept him on the sidelines.

Crawley caretaker player-boss Simon Wormull made four changes to the side beaten at home by Braintree in the FA Cup last weekend, calling up goalkeeper Phil Smith, Joe Keehan, ex-U Lee Blackburn and Andy Lindegaard for Ward, Opinell (suspended), Douglas and Wormull himself (injured).

United made a bright and purposeful start but fell behind in the third minute through poor defending when attack was turned into defence within seconds. Stephen Smith's long-range shot was collected and quickly distributed by Phil Smith, Jamie Cade ran onto a poor defensive header and through on goal, and was able to tuck the ball home for an easy opening goal.

The U's took a few moments to settle after falling behind and Onibuje caused frustration on the sidelines and in the stands by being caught offside several times, but in the eleventh minute the big striker raced down the right wing and crossed for Craig Westcarr to nod narrowly wide.

Two minutes later Ritchie Hanlon struck a volley from ten yards outside the area but it flew inches over the bar, and soon afterwards another good move down the wing saw Westcarr flash a ball across the area where a number of players from either side might have deflected it into the net but no one made contact.

The atmosphere was understandably subdued as Crawley sat back to defend and United tried to break them down, although the visiting front pair pair of Clare and Cade were always dangerous on the break.

On 25 it was Westcarr's turn to cross for Onibuje to head wide from inside the area, then Onibuje raced into the area with a long ball dropping over his shoulder, but the ball came off his shin and ran behind, but by the 38th minute United were in front.

Both goals came from good footballing moves; first Ritchie Hanlon advancing in the 32nd minute to deliver a pinpoint cross from the right and David Chick stealing in at the far post to loop an excellent header over the keeper and into the far corner.

Crawley almost hit back immediately when Jenkins' inswinging free kick beat Howie but hit the bar, but after another good move Ritchie Hanlon pounced on a clearance 22 yards out and drove it low along the ground and just inside the far post beyond the diving Smith.

Mark Peters nodded a Stephen Smith corner wide on 39, and a minute before half-time Smith made a good interception and fed the ball to Westcarr who picked out Onibuje in the area, but although the striker did well to lose his marker he was unable to squeeze his header the right side of the post.

Half-time summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"A nightmare start for United after they gifted Crawley a third minute goal, it took them half an hour to recover but once level they looked in control. Half-time 2-1."

Away sponsors Kershaws and Anglia Lettings show off the new away shirt at half-time with Chairman Roger Hunt

Second half:
United started brightly and Onibuje's header from Parys Okai's cross drew a good save from Smith as he pushed the ball behind in the opening seconds. The breathless start continued as Crawley countered and Mark Peters was fortunate to escape a booking as he pulled Cade back at the cost of a free kick, which Woozley put just wide of Howie's far post.

On 53 Peters' ball picked out Onibuje near the corner flag and he turned his man well and crossed towards Westcarr, who was narrowly beaten to the ball by Judge, and Hanlon collected the first booking of the afternoon four minutes later when he hauled Jenkins back.

Peters nodded another United corner wide on the hour, and Crawley went close on 67 when Jenkins' free kick flew narrowly wide. That was the cue for Craig Westcarr to make way for John Turner, fresh from a trial with a view to a loan at Rushden, and the youngster received a warm welcome as he jogged on.

He was involved immediately when Hanlon whipped a cross into the area and Turner rose to flick a header just wide, and on 70 Smith was caught by a late tackle by former youth team colleague Blackburn, who joined Hanlon in the book.

Crawley were chasing the equaliser and the U's back three had to stand firm against a series of crosses and corners, with 17-year-old Michael Morrison recovering from a shaky start to show why he is highly-regarded by the coaching staff.

Woozley headed a corner wide on 72, and at the other end the Crawley man bravely blocked a Hanlon piledriver by throwing himself in the way of the 25-yard shot as it left Hanlon's boot.

A good United move saw Chick lift an excellent cross towards Onibuje but he couldn't quite reach the ball, and Morrison showed a cool head again moments later when auxilliary striker Woozley rose for another cross but he was out-jumped by the U's youngster.

Ritchie Hanlon was perhaps fortunate to escape a second booking when he appeared to block a ball with his hand in the 82nd minute, and moments later Lindegaard just failed to make contact with a cross at the far post when an equaliser looked certain.

The end-to-end action continued and the atmosphere was tense as the visitors chased the game and put United under pressure. With five minutes left, Turner picked out Onibuje whose shot from the edge of the area was parried by Smith, and although Turner collected the rebound and fed the ball back to Onibuje the ball spun off the striker and away to safety, leaving him with his head in his hands on a frustrating afternoon in front of goal.

With United supporters chewing their nails there were half-chances on the break for both sides in stoppage time, and Turner almost released Onibuje with the last move of the game before the final whistle was greeted with relief and the stirring tones of 'Coconuts'.

Wrapped up by match commentator Mark Johnson:
"Cambridge United recovered from a nightmare start to stretch their unbeaten home run to five games. Uncertain defending gave Jamie Cade a goal inside three minutes and it took the U's half an hour to clear their heads. Clear them they did though, when David Chick capped an impressive return to nod an equaliser five minutes before Ritchie Hanlon smashed one in from 25 yards. United were better after the break but couldn't find the goal to avoid a nervous finale. But they held on to take three points that will make the forthcoming blank weekend just a little more palatable."

Man of the Match:
"Ritchie Hanlon - more incisive passing, assiduous defending, and another stunning goal. Honourable mentions for David Chick, who made a fine return and scored a crucial goal, David Bridges who was as hard-working as ever down the right, and Michael Morrison, who gets better with every game."

Referee:
"Mr Shoebridge - let the game flow at every opportunity. Didn't miss much and was refreshingly sparing with his cards. 8/10."

[League table]

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