Swans 1 U’s 1

Hollins named a line-up unchanged from the 6-0 win against Brentford for the first time in a long while. David Romo has a late fitness test to see if he had recovered from a hamstring strain suffered in training during the week.

The Swans lined up in a 3-5-2 formation as follows:

Freestone O’Leary – Bound – Todd CusackFabiano – Romo – Jenkins – Coates Savarese – Verschave

As always we gave away an early goal after continuous pressure from the visitors. A corner from U’s defender Hanson was headed in by Kitson after 4 mins After Freestone couldn’t make the ground to meet the ball after 3 U’s attackers crossed his path.

Kitson signed for the U’s on transfer deadline and with his Ginger head and tenacious hustling was already worrying a leaky defence.

Kitson nearly scored again a couple of minutes later after another corner just went wide of the post. He could have completed a hat trick after Todd misjudged a long ball upfield but after completely gaffing up his attempt on goal he dived for a very sympathetic (or is it pathetic?) referee to award a penalty to the U’s.

Kitson’s shot from the penalty was saved low to Roger’s right hand corner and went out for a corner.

The Swans were struggling to get any moves going as Cambridge’s hungry midfield wouldn’t allow an inch of space for the Swan’s French Tri-colour. It wasn’t until the 21st minute that the Swans finally launched an attack at goal of any merit when a poorly cleared ball from a Fabiano cross sat up for Bound to have a strike from 25 yds out only for it to go over the bar.

O’Leary went off with what appeared to be a thigh strain to be replaced by Michael Howard as a straight swap over but with Todd moving to the right and Howard assuming a left-sided position.

At last the Swans started to take a hold of the game when a through ball sent Fabiano through but he chickened out letting the U’s defence get back, however he tee’d up Coates from 5 yards out but his shot was acrobatically saved by U’s keeper Marshall. However in the process of saving the ball he seemed to badly injure himself and could take no further part in the game.

On came U’s reserve keeper Perez who sporting a very Gerard Depardieu hair cut and danced and motioned to the North Bank chants of “Gypo” and “Where’s you caravan” and proved a great entertainer. He was also sporting an injured knee and struggled to kick the ball therefore choosing to throw any balls he picked up.

From the following corner Savarese had an open header but completely missed the ball. On 42 mins a Romo cross was turned over neatly by Perez after a stinging shot from Fabiano. The Swans did eventually equalise however after Jenkins was put through down the right wing his cross was met by Verschave who’s glancing header seemed to be going wide al the way rebounded in off the post.

After the 25 mins of pressure it was what the team deserved to go back in for the break all square. The 2nd half was a strange affair Cambridge used both their remaining subs, only for within a minute having to go down to 10 men after another player got injured and was unable to continue. Savarese completely missed another free-header from 5 yards after some great build up play by Jenkins. Cusack had a tremendous 30 yard shot saved on the line. Stu Roberts who came on for Fabiano was put through on goal but his shot was saved well by the oncoming Perez.

Bound was sent off with a straight red card after a full on Bound kick met U’s Pildi’s face. For such a non-aggressive player Boundy certainly lost it and could well see an extended ban for a disgusting challenge.

3 minutes later however U’s defender Joseph lashed out with an equally horrific elbow on Verschave but no foul was given! The game seemed to draw into a dull stalemate as the injury time was stacking up into gigantic proportions and when the board finally went up with 6 mins of added time, there was a sense of disbelief as there was at least 10 mins of stoppages after injury after injury and constant time-wasting tactics employed by Cambridge.

At the whistle around 150 fans got on the pitch chanting for Mike Lewis’ head along with absentee McClure’s after threatening the Away support. Stick to the real enemy people!

A special note to the U’s away support that sung with all their heart and for the first time in a long while the North Bank was outsung. Good luck and keep the good times in your heart ’cause we know what it’s like being on the other end of the scale!