Messageboarder Noah4x4 gives his report on the U's draw at Chesterfield.

Let’s start at the dismissal of Talbot; who fully deserved ‘red’ having cynically having fouled new boy Sordlell; who had the pace to carve through a disciplined defence and had a clear goal scoring opportunity. From this point onwards the opinions of many in the ground will be split, notably between the “Humes Out” and “Give Humes a break” brigades. My view is that the manager could have done nothing to change the outcome of this game.

Even before the dismissal we were totally in control and looked by far the better side; but up against one of the best drilled defences I have witnessed in many years. But once they got ahead, the ten men of the Spirites stepped up another gear and offered a master-class in defending; including the dark arts of feigned injuries, with ball boys on strike, and similar skulduggery; plus a goalkeeper that made some ludicrously magnificent fingertip saves. They were always going to be hard to break down. We needed to get ahead; and it looked like that was to be the games destiny; until the usual conspiracy of 'officials'.

An innocent looking ball was hoofed down our left flank, a bad bounce in the tackle sees the ball brush a hand which was by the U’s player's knees (so not deliberate); linesman very harshly awards ’handball’. Free kick is chipped from wide (almost corner like) into U’s penalty area; nobody gets near it, it incurs a bad bounce; seeming over crouching goalkeeper Jones head; straight into the net; almost a fluke, 1-0; and totally against the run of play. Cue everybody in blue behind the ball; ball-boys on strike; and some brilliant defending; assisted by some officials that don’t have Robbie Cowlings large gonads etc.

Thereafter we had utter dominance illustrated by the overall BBC match statistics; 67% possession; 23 shots; 10 on target; 9 corners. So what happened; beyond what I have already described?

We hit the post three times (typical U's bad luck). We had ten shots on target (three found the net; the own goal was trickling in (despite the deliberate cheating handball); but in addition; Sorbell appeared to miss two sitters; each from two yards. But I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt by saying that whilst it looked as though each time he should have scored; each were lung busting runs to get on the end of a ball where had he not clipped his toenails that morning a goal would have been the end result. Give him credit for (at least) being in the right place on the end of excellent penetrating balls. He looked pretty sharp, repeatedly troubled the goalkeeper; and would have almost certainly scored if not for the Talbot’s foul/dismissal; so let’s give the guy praise for a decent debut (and Humes for a truly super experienced signing). Far more guilty in front of goal was Alex Gilbey that missed a true sitter and a team that generally squandered sufficient other excellent chances suffice to win five games. Frankly, we should have scored at least six. Loan signing Harriott buzzed like a wasp and tormented his full-back.; whilst new signing Garvin looked utter class; but often his through balls were so good that his colleagues didn’t expect them. Here, we have to respect that our forwards and midfielders are Division One players and not Renaldo or Agüero.

At the other end; the home side had ONLY three proper breakaway counter attacks in the entire match and scored twice more; both with clinical precision. If it were not for the fact that they had only ten men, we might have applauded this and said fair play to them. Our judgement will inevitably be clouded by the dismissal; as had they had a full complement of players for 95’we would now be praising a point gained and not two points dropped (as some are bemoaning). But on another day with a bit more luck in front of goal we would have won 3-6. The way the U’s battled back from 3-1 down was awesome, when many in the crowd of both colours thought it was 'game over' and an empty handed return to Essex.

In summary, I saw enough to think this is a major turning point. Indeed, I had missed the two previous league away games (also Northampton) so this season I have NOT yet seen the U’s lose inside 90’ (Reading was extra time). I would buy a ticket just to see the new signings and have no fear that this league season will be a repeat of last once this youthful ability and confidence gets a bit more momentum. I can’t wait to Tuesday and a trip to the Blades for our game in hand, and then for table topping Gillingham at home. I think shock wins may be on the cards for the apparently struggling Essex underdogs. Let’s give Humes a break. Whatever disappointment we witnessed, it was 100% the failing of the players on the day. Keep the faith Tony Humes, don't throw in the towel like Joe Dunne did because of the Boo Boys. We will get there.

Photo: Action Images

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