Soham:2 U's:4

Its official, 4-2 is the new 2-1. On the basis of our last two games we’re in for double the goals and double the entertainment this term compared to what we had last year, which can’t be a bad thing can it.

Soham’s leafy Julius Martin Lane home is like the perfect place to watch a pre-season game; a nice big pitch, welcoming locals, and plenty of room for youngsters who are bored of the main event to have a kick-around. Jumpers for goalposts eh.

The standard on pitch wasn’t much higher, with United plumbing new depths of non-league-ness by putting a supporter in goal. Jamie Nightingale stepped in between the sticks because Danny Potter was a bit tired after training, and Sam Beagle was stuck in Prague (a likely story) and our under-15 keeper had a broken finger nail, or something.

In front of him it was very much a second string line up, featuring trialists Pat Bexfield, Domaine Rouse, Filino Jardim, and the familiar figure of Tommy Youngs, our former piano-playing goal getter last seen teasing us from the sidelines for Stafford last year.



I’m sad to report that, aside from the odd good pass and little dart forward, little Tom had negligible impact on the game. Admittedly he was playing in an unfamiliar central midfield role, but it seems unlikely he’ll be getting a contract unless he ups his game.

Bexfield was solid if unspectacular at right back, while Rouse had a decent first half before fading a bit in the second period. Most impressive was little Dutchman Jardim, who displayed some good pace, direct running, and a willingness to shoot from distance that led to him notching two goals. If he can work on his crossing then he would certainly make a decent signing.

Soham took an early lead when the U’s backline failed to deal with a corner, and the ball ran to Kentoh Gray, whose shot took a deflection on its way past Nightingale.

The home side certainly weren’t afraid to mix it with their Blue Square Premier counterparts, and this competitive edge made it an entertaining match. Following the goal United dominated, with Bussens and Jardim switching wings to good effect. Rouse showed some fancy footwork to drift into the area and get a shot in which hit the post, while a couple of crosses flashed across the box to no avail.

When it arrived, the equaliser was straight out of the Formernorthernirelandinternational Jimmy Quinn book of tactics. Coulson launched a long ball forward, which wasn’t dealt with by the burly central defender, and Willmott nipped in, showing good strength to carry the ball away from his marker and place a cool finish past the keeper.

It was 2-1 by half time, when Soham gifted possession to Rouse midway inside their own half. His first time pass was picked up by Jardim, who cut into the area and arrowed an angled shot into the far corner.

But almost straight from kick off Soham levelled with a goal which young Nightingale will want to forget in a hurry. Gray collected a pass from Charles Libam, and hit a tame shot which somehow squeezed under the rookie keepers body and into the net.

But United wrapped things up in the second half with two goals in the first ten minutes. First Jardim strode forward from midfield and, with no challenges forthcoming, hit a low shot which bobbled into the corner, provoking a Kaka-esque hands-to-the-sky celebration from the trialist. Then Willmott broke clear down the right, exchanged passes with Bussens and thumped the ball past Lee Jordan from close range.

Game over, and from then on it went downhill in the entertainment stakes too, with both sides slowing to walking pace as the final whistle drew nearer and nearer. Former QPR defender Andy Howell joined the action in the second half, and acquitted himself well, making one excellent goal line block at the death. Darren Quinton also made an anonymous return to action, which is nice for him I suppose.

Man of the Match: Ben Farrell – The boy oozes class, and dominated midfield rarely wasting a pass.






Funny name of the match: Soham trialist Dodou – you can think up your own punchline.