U's:0 Diamonds:1

Good things about Friday nights game:

1) I only paid £2 to get in
2) Nobody got injured
3) We didn’t have to endure extra time
4) In the warm up Danny Brown was wearing a funny headband which made him look like a modern-day Eric Young (pictured). Unfortunately he took it off before the game started.

On point three, it got to the stage where, when we went on the attack in the closing minutes, I actually couldn’t decide whether I wanted us to score seeing as it would’ve meant another 30 minutes of turgid dross, and evoked memories of the attrocious LDV game against Cheltenham, which I think went all the way to penalties.

Yes the Setanta Shield was in town. The sponsors eschewed the chance to show the match live, presumably because of the terrible game between ourselves and Rushden that they subjected their viewers to earlier in the season.

JQ made a raft of changes, with Robbie Willmott and Michael Hyem both making full debuts. Willmott looked lively early on, playing up front off Scott Rendell, but the visitors soon grabbed the initiative against a sluggish U’s side.

The visitors best player was peroxide-blonde winger Marcus Kelly, and he was first to test Potter with a diagonal shot which was turned round the post. Kelly also missed another good chance, while Tom Shaw rolled a tame effort into DP’s arms when he really should have scored.
At the other end, United failed to stretch the presumably arthritic limbs of Paul Bastock, with the supply from wing backs Gleeson and Reed practically non-existent. Too many long balls were being pumped hopefully in the direction of Rendell and Willmott, and while the latter is undoubtedly a promising player, I suspect he doesn’t have a future as a target man. Both strikers did have half chances, with Rendell heading over and Bastock charging out to foil Willmott.

Rushden took a deserved lead through Shaw, who picked up the ball 20 yards out and, with no challenge forthcoming, placed an inch-perfect shot into the corner. They could’ve made it two just after half time when sub Michael Rankine unleashed a shot which beat Potter and rattled the post.

At the other end the best chance fell to Hoyte, who somehow shot wide with the goal gaping. The introduction of Boylan and Pitt added a bit of zip into United’s play, and the former almost got an equaliser but was denied by the sprawling Bastock.

There was still time for the returning Mark Albrighton to nearly score a comedy own goal (something which has been lacking in United’s play since Andy Duncan left) when a shot rebounded onto his shins, hit the post, and was scrambled off the line by Potter. 2-0 would not have flattered the visitors, who now have the dubious pleasure of a 5th round tie with Kidderminster to look forward to. I’m sure that’ll have the crowds flocking to Aggborough.

United never really got going in a match which is probably best forgotten ASAP. Hopefully they will step up the required few notches when our lovable near neighbours come to visit on Boxing Day. Merry Christmas everyone :)

Man of the Match: Danny Potter - The only player who was anywhere near his best. Made several good saves to keep the score down to 1-0.