Competition: Blue Square Premier
Weather: Sunny
Goals:
United: Rendell 48'
United were reduced to just two fit strikers before today's game but one of them scored his third goal in three games, Scott Rendell capitalising on good work by Courtney Pitt and Stephen Reed to nod United ahead early in the second half.
Jimmy Quinn made the two anticipated changes to the side that drew at Weymouth on Friday, handing Scott Rendell his first start of the season in place of the injured Lee Boylan, and recalling Michael Morrison after resting him at Weymouth, with Mark Peters making way.
Grays boss Justin Edinburgh made one change to his team, who line up in a 4-4-2 formation, calling up Karl Murray in place of midfielder Charlie Hearn (dead leg). The Grays side included two former U's men; defender Jamie Stuart who had a trial at the Abbey in 2001 and striker Dennis Oli who was briefly a United man in 2004.
After both teams emerged from their respective 'huddle', Grays kicked off towards the Newmarket Road end and United went close after just three minutes. Scott Rendell flicked the ball on for Leo Fortune-West but Sambrook was able to hack the ball behind as the United striker tried to turn. Captain Mark Albrighton made a 20-yard run to the edge of the area to meet Stephen Reed's corner and volleyed narrowly wide.
In the fifth minute Danny Potter made a good save from McAllister who stole into the area and got his head to O'Connor's cross, but it was the Grays defence who had most to do. Fortune-West came within inches of latching onto a 7th minute back pass before Stuart hacked it away, and Fortune-West and Rendell looked like a dangerous partnership as they breathed down the defenders' necks and were alert to any half-openings.
Rendell had started like a train and was full of running, and Courtney Pitt followed suit with a fine run as he outpaced Sambrook and lofted a tempting cross that bounced around the area before running for Reed, whose powerful header was parried by Flitney.
Another high tempo move in the 19th minute saw the ball nodded to Reed whose low drive deflected through a crowd of players and was pushed behind by Flitney.
Rendell was coming in for some rough treatment from the Grays players and he was clattered on 29 when trying to connect with a pass from the advancing Darren Quinton, although the referee saw nothing, and moments later Pitt crossed into the area but there was no United man close enough to take advantage.
Jimmy Quinn had praised the fans for their support in his programme notes and they were increasingly noisy as the United side pushed and probed for an opening, chanting non-stop as Grays found their way through the defence a couple of times, Oli heading wide on 33 and Stuart heading a free kick wide three minutes later.
The lively Quinton showed his confidence with a run and shot from 20 yards but pulled the ball wide of the near post, and five minutes before half-time Fortune-West galloped forward as the flag stayed down but his shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Gross.
Further good approach play between Reed and Pitt saw the latter thread a ball through for Rob Wolleaston but the midfielder was closed down as he broke into the area, while Grays looked dangerous on the break but their attacks foundered on United's solid back line.
A minute before half-time, Grays' angled free kick was headed away by Albrighton and Gleeson made sure by tucking the ball behind, and Albrighton headed the corner away. As United counterattacked, Quinton was sent flying by Adam Gross' knee-high challenge, who deservedly collected the first booking of the evening.
Quinton was helped to his feet after treatment and as the half-time whistle blew Fortune-West got involved in some pushing and shoving with Jon Ashton, and continued his stern words with the official as they left the pitch.
Half-time summary by match commentator Mark Johnson:
"A lively half played at a good tempo, just lacking a goal. United have caused problems despite their dearth of strikers and there has been plenty to encourage a lively crowd."
Second half:
Fortune-West was in conversation with the referee again as the sides emerged from the tunnel for the second half, and the action resumed with United attacking the Newmarket Road end.
In a crackling atmosphere United took the game to Grays and Gleeson cut inside to drive a 20-yarder wide, and then United took the lead with a classic breakaway move on 48. Courtney Pitt coolly held it up under pressure from his marker, then picked out the supporting Reed who delivered a perfect deep cross for Scott Rendell to head home, putting United ahead with his third goal in three games.
United, led by the tireless Rendell, kept the pressure on. Stuart's backpass was chased down by Rendell and the ball almost ran for Gleeson, who harried a defender into slicing the ball inches wide of his own post for a corner. The ball was cleared as far as Rob Wolleaston and his dipping 30-yard volley flew inches over the bar.
In the 53rd minute, another good move saw Reed upended as he burst into the area, but again the referee ignored the incident, and there was rare danger for United on 59 when McAllister was allowed to advance and fired wide from 25 yards, Danny Potter berating his defenders afterwards.
Grays first change came on 65 when midfielder Jamie Day replaced Donnie Barnard, and United made another good breakaway soon afterwards, Flitney charging off his line to force a clearance then grabbing Gleeson's shirt to delay the throw in. The two players tussled and Flitney collected a yellow card as a result.
The Grays' keeper was involved again a minute later when he bravely smothered the ball at Wolleaston's feet, then Gleeson flicked the ball on for Rendell and Flitney smothered under pressure from Fortune-West.
With United still on top of proceedings, Courtney Pitt showed a flash of brilliance as he twisted and turned to the by-line but his cross was just too high for Fortune-West who couldn't keep it down.
Justin Edinburgh responded with a double change, bringing on strikers Danny Kedwell and Gavin Grant for Oli and McAllister and changing to a 4-3-3 formation, and a minute later Albrighton was booked for a foul on O'Connor. The resulting free kick was blocked behind by Gleeson and Stuart met the corner with a looping header that landed on the roof of the net as a reminder to United that the game was not won.
With 15 minutes remaining Mark Albrighton found space at the far post to meet Reed's corner but placed his header too close to keeper, and a minute later Mark Peters came on for Gavin Hoyte, who left the pitch to a standing ovation after another solid performance.
Fortune-West had been involved in a dialogue with the referee most of the night and he was booked in the 80th minute for dissent, obviously displeased with the official's performance. A minute later the impressive Rendell bravely won a corner for his side, and as the flagkick was cleared Pitt was flattened and again the referee turned a blind eye.
Grays made a rare attack and Ashton was closed down by Gleeson inside the area, hooking a shot across the face of goal and wide. Moments later, after clashing with Grays defender Stuart, Fortune-West was withdrawn to make way for Mark Convery, the midfielder making his first appearance since limping off with a hamstring strain in the first game of the season.
Grays were throwing bodies forward in search of the equaliser and Grant had a cross plucked from the air by Potter and on 87 Day tested the United keeper with a long range drive, while with two minutes remaining Rendell charged through the crumbling Grays defence but was closed down before he could release a shot.
A minute later Gross and Grant linked well before Gross lifted a shot over the bar, but United worked hard to maintain possession and Rendell was clattered by Stuart with seconds remaining, with the Grays man collecting a yellow card moments before the final whistle confirmed United's fourth win of the season.
United rose to third in the table following this win, behind Torquay United and Stevenage who also won tonight.
Cambridge Utd:
Danny Potter, Michael Morrison, Mark Albrighton, Gavin Hoyte (Mark Peters 79'); Dan Gleeson, Rob Wolleaston, Stephen Reed, Darren Quinton, Courtney Pitt; Scott Rendell, Leo Fortune-West (Mark Convery 84').
Subs not used: Stephen Smith, Michael Hyem, Robbie Willmott.
Booked: Albrighton foul 72', Fortune-West dissent 80'
Grays Athletic:
Ross Flitney, Andy Sambrook, Jamie Stuart, Jon Ashton, Adam Gross; Dennis Oli (Danny Kedwell 71'), Karl Murray, Donnie Barnard (Jamie Day 65'), Ernie Cooksey; Aaron O'Connor, Craig McAllister (Gavin Grant 71').
Subs not used: Danny Knowles, Ben Watson.
Booked: Gross foul 45', Flitney unsporting behaviour 66', Stuart foul 90'
Att: 2,793 (away 148)
Referee: Matthew Stewart
Full Time summary from Mark Johnson:
"United shrugged off their latest injury blow and some shocking officials to stretch their unbeaten start to the season to seven games. Despite the best efforts of a referee who baffled both sides with a string of bizarre decisions, and a lack thereof, the teams served up a vibrant feast of a match. Fittingly, Scott Rendell won the game with a well-taken header three minutes after the break. In for the injured Lee Boylan, Rendell was inspired and terrorised the visitors' defence on a first start to remember. But this was a team effort and the U's were worthy of the win with a thoroughly committed performance."
Man of the Match:
"Mark Albrighton - a colossus in defence wearing the captain's armband both literally and metaphorically. It was a great team effort so it's difficult to exclude anyone, but honourable mentions for Scott Rendell who was excellent on his first start, Courtney Pitt who was back to his bamboozling best, Darren Quinton who grows in stature with every game, and Stephen Reed who quietly went about his business and has been a real find."
Referee:
"Mr Stewart was consistent, he seemed to get virtually nothing right all night. Pushes, shirt pulls, penalty decisions, and frustrated the players - especially Leo Fortune-West. 2/10"
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