Competition: Blue Square Premier
Weather at kick-off: sunny
Goals:
United: Fortune-West 48', Wolleaston 52'
Crawley: Madjo 12' (pen)
For the sixth time this season, United came from behind with a four minute double salvo after half-time to win a bruising encounter and rise to fourth place in the table.
Jimmy Quinn made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Exeter City last weekend, restoring Mark Peters to the defence in place of the injured Gavin Hoyte (hamstring) and recalling the fit-again Mark Convery for his first start since the opening day of the season, with Courtney Pitt dropping to the bench and Stephen Reed moving out wide left to the wingback role.
Crawley boss Steve Evans made one change, calling up right-back Glenn Wilson in place of Ronnie Bull. The Crawley squad included former U's midfielder Lee Blackburn and pre-season trialist striker Pierre Joseph-Dubois, while Evans' assistant manager is former United midfielder Paul Raynor.
United started well in the sunshine and Convery marked his return by flashing a 30-yard free kick just over the bar in the sixth minute. Then three minutes later former Crawley man Scott Rendell sprayed the ball out to the right to release Dan Gleeson, he fed the ball inside to Darren Quinton whose shot was charged down by the quickly advancing Ashley Bayes, and although Gleeson met the clearance first time he could only lift the ball over the bar.
The balance of the game swung controversially in the 12th minute when Guy Madjo went to ground as a Crawley free kick was floated into the area, and referee Amy Rayner had little hesitation in awarding a penalty. Madjo stepped up to sneak a right-footed spotkick inside the post, and Convery was booked for dissent in the aftermath.
The former York midfielder was heavily involved in United's attacking play and he tested Bayes with a 14th minute corner and forced him into a save with a free kick when Rendell was fouled two minutes later.
There were unsavoury scenes on the touchline in the 20th minute when Paul Raynor, who had disputed almost every decision since the game kicked off, went nose to nose with opposite number Alan Lewer, who was John Hollins' assistant at Crawley last season, and referee Rayner had to try to calm the situation,
The game was threatening to boil over and on 23 Rayner waved away claims for a free kick by Crawley forward Pittman and as play continued Rob Wolleaston advanced to power a shot that hit defender Jamie Stevens and deflected behind for a corner, amidst strong claims of handball.
Mills followed Convery into the book on 31 for clattering into the hard-working Rendell, not for the first time. Moments later Reed threaded a ball through to release Rendell into the area, but the big striker got the ball caught under his feet and was quickly closed down before he could release a shot, and a minute later he headed wide under pressure.
Mark Peters stayed down for treatment when Pittman left his foot in for a crude challenge on the veteran defender, but was happily restored to his feet, and two minutes later Pittman nipped in to test Potter from eight yards after a Crawley counterattacking move.
The home fans were simmering at the decisions from the officials and complained again in the 41st minute when Guy Madjo slipped the offside trap and advanced with just Potter to beat but fortunately lifted it over the bar, and moments later Fortune-West went down in the area but was met with a complete lack of interest from the referee and assistant.
Four minutes of time were added and Thompson collected the third yellow kick after Bulman fouled Wolleaston and Thompson kicked the ball away in protest at the award of the free kick, which caused panic in the Crawley area as Rendell and Peters pressured the visiting defence before the ball was eventually hacked away.
A bad-tempered half ended on another controversial note as Convery lifted a corner into the area in the dying seconds, the ball bounced loose and Rendell turned and fired a shot that Bayes touched onto the bar, and there followed an outbreak of pushing and shoving and punches were thrown. As the half entered its 51 minute, Rayner strode in to show yellow cards to Albrighton and Bulman, and as the whistle was blown both managers entered the pitch the speak to the referee.
Half-time summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"A warp speed half full of controversy and heated exchanges on and off the pitch. A nightmare for the ref who hasn't helped her cause either, this one I feel won't be calmed down by the break."
Second half:
The half resumed at the same high tempo and for the sixth time this season United came from behind, first levelling in the 48th minute and then adding a second four minutes later to take the lead.
The equaliser came from a sweeping move down the left culminating in a great cross by Reed, which was flicked on by Rendell to Leo Fortune-West who stuck out a long leg to ram the ball into the top corner in front of the ecstatic Newmarket Road End.
Then four minutes later Fortune-West raced onto a long through ball and was hauled down by last man Stevens, who was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card. Convery delivered a tempting free kick, Rendell attempted an overhead kick, and as Crawley struggled to clear their lines United came forward again and Fortune-West headed on Peters' cross for Rob Wolleaston to strike a left-footer home from eight yards.
With Crawley rocking and United rampant, Fortune-West forced another corner after Quinton's good cross, but the visitors threatened on the break four minutes later and Mark Peters nodded Bulman's header off the line. More handball claims by United were ignored on the hour, and moments later Wolleaston was cheered by the home crowd for racing 50 yards to make a challenge with the effort that summed up the character of the United team.
Steve Evans made his first change on 61 to bring on Magno Vieira for Jamie Cook, and four minutes later Glenn Wilson was booked for timewasting after kicking the ball into the net after play had stopped.
Courtney Pitt came on for Rendell on 66 and moved up front alongside Fortune-West, Steve Evans sent on former U Lee Blackburn to play wide left in place of defender James Krause, and on 72 comeback man Mark Convery left the pitch to warm applause to be replaced by Stephen Smith, whose immediate contribution was to win a corner from his thrown-in.
Pitt burst through, couldn't pick out Quinton and ball cleared , and on 76 Pierre Joseph-Dubois, who had a brief pre-season trial at United and scored against Cambridge City, came on for Pittman. A couple of minutes later he was involved in a counterattacking move and Potter was forced into a smart save from Madjo and Vieira lifted the rebound over the bar.
Jimmy Quinn chose the 80th minute to send on second year scholar Robbie Willmott to make his senior debut in place of Darren Quinton, who also left the pitch to deserved applause. The youngster, fresh from a mid-week hat-trick in the FA Youth Cup, went up front and in the ensuing reshuffle Pitt move wide left and Reed moved into midfield.
Willmott made an immediate impression as he beat two Crawley men and showed surprising strength to shoulder Wilson off the ball, but was penalised for the challenge and a free kick given against him.
With five minutes remaining Crawley caught United flat-footed as Joseph-Dubois raced clear but was denied by Potter, and the fouls continued to rack up as Mills brought down Fortune-West and then Pinault hacked down Stephen Reed.
The inevitable happened in the first of five added minutes when Dannie Bulman was dismissed for a second yellow card, but United also collected another card when Stephen Reed fouled Madjo and Potter had to make a brave save at Madjo's feet from the free kick seconds before the whistle signalled a fourth home win of the season.
Cambridge Utd:
Danny Potter, Mark Peters, Mark Albrighton (c), Michael Morrison; Dan Gleeson, Darren Quinton (Robbie Willmott 80'), Rob Wolleaston, Mark Convery (Stephen Smith 72'), Stephen Reed; Scott Rendell (Courtney Pitt 66'), Leo Fortune-West.
Subs not used: Michael Hyem, Josh Coulson.
Booked: Convery dissent 13', Albrighton foul 45', Reed foul 90'
Crawley Town:
Ashley Bayes, Glenn Wilson, Jamie Stevens, Pablo Mills, James Krause (Lee Blackburn 70'); Thomas Pinault, Tyrone Thompson (c), Dannie Bulman, Jamie Cook (Magno Vieira 61'); Jon Paul Pittman (Pierre Joseph-Dubois 76'), Guy Madjo.
Subs not used: Steven Evans, Josh Clapham..
Booked: Mills foul 31', Thompson dissent 45', Bulman 45', Stevens foul 51', Wilson time-wasting 65', Bulman 90'.
Red card: Bulman 90' second yellow
Att: 2,975 (away 114)
Referee: Ms Amy Rayner
Match summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"The unbeaten run goes on after a thrilling fight back against Crawley. A match played at breakneck speed was heated on and off the pitch and was a struggle for the referee from the time she awarded a dodgy penalty after just 13 minutes. United though seem to have misplaced the definition of 'defeat' and hit back in style with goals from Leo Fortune-West and Rob Wolleaston in four second half minutes. But in a game that had everything there was still time for Danny Potter to make a number of crucial saves, Crawley to have a player sent off, and U's youngster Robbie Willmott to make an encouraging debut from the bench. 'Encouraging' is the word of the day."
Mark's Man of the Match:
"Rob Wolleaston - Here, there and everywhere, and a crucial goal to boot. This was a good team effort but honourable mentions go to Leo Fortune-West and Scott Rendell who led the line, Mark Peters who slotted seamlessly back into the defence, and the wingbacks Messrs Gleeson and Reed who caused Crawley all sorts of problems."
Ref: Ms Rayner - "It was a difficult match for the referee and she didn't really help herself with some controversial decisions. 4/10"
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