U's:1 Shots:1
Meh, beaten at our own game. Aldershot came from behind to grab a late but deserved point in an enthralling game at the Abbey last night. Although it's hard not to feel a bit disappointed at conceding a last minute goal, I suspect most fans are happy at having taken four points off the two supposedly best teams in the league.
The Shots certainly lived up to that billing in the second half, but more of that later. United were unchanged, but feature new signing, Marvin Robinson, on the bench alongside the returning Gavin Hoyte. Within minutes of kick off Mark Convery almost latched onto a header from Rendell, but slipped as he ran through and the chance was gone.
The lively John Grant forced a fairly comfortable save from Potter before we took the lead with a cleverly worked goal, and yet another example of why the 'thugish' tag we seem to have picked up is a little misplaced. Convery lifted a great pass out to Gleeson on the right, who looped a perfectly placed header into the six yard box where Rendell and LFW were lurking with intent. Scotty the goal machine got to the ball first to score his 7th of the season, hurrah.
As ever, the goal gave us a bit of confidence, and with Wolleaston and Pitt to the fore, United began to carve the Shots apart: Reed shot over when well placed, Bull saved well from Rendell and LFW headed onto the bar from close range. At the other end a low shot from Straker was comfortably saved by Potter, while Davies curled a free kick wide from a good position.
Although United started the second half fairly well, with Pitt again tormenting Rob Gier (who was substituted shortly afterwards), the visitors began to exert some dominance, using Lewis Chalmers' mammouth throw to optimum effect. United should've doubled their lead when Gleeson got free kick on the right and forced a superb save from Bull. The rebound fell to Pitt, whose lofted shot looked goalbound until Bull raced across to make a fantastic one handed save.
It was probably United's last clear cut chance, as the Shots laid siege to our goal. Day's header looked to have crossed the line but was cleared, while Soares and Elvins also shot over and wide respectively. When Wolleaston (presumably feeling the effects of the injury he's been carrying) was withdrawn, the U's lost any semblence of grip on the midfield, and took to randomly blasting the ball clear in any direction.
It was inevitable something would have to give, but we held out until about three minutes from time. Sub Joel Grant twisted and turned, before chipping over a cross which Dave Winfield headed in at the far post.
There was still time for Robinson, who surely enjoyed one of the shortest and most ignominious debuts in U's history, to recieve a red card. Having recieved an (admitedly harsh looking) yellow for a clash with sub Dean Smith, he clattered, Rooney-style, into Day and got his marching orders.
As I said, a draw was probably fair enough. We were better in the first half, they were better in the second. Aldershot are probably the best team we've faced so far - quite similar to Stevenage but with a better plan 'B' - and should be there or there abouts. I suspect if Danny Brown was playing, or if Wolleaston had stayed on the pitch, we may not have got so over run and the result could have been different, but never mind.
Man of the Match: Courtney Pitt - The Pittster enjoyed one of his best games of the season, with
some solid defending and tricky runs forward. He gave Rob Gier no end of problems and it was no surprise to see him substituted.
Mystery Man of the Match: That bald bloke who does the warm ups and things - Who is he? I've seen him at a lot of the games this season doing various tasks before and during games. Answers on a postcard please...
