football rambles

 This game was what looked like a six-pointer and unfortunately, Cambridge drew another blank. The Us continue their slide down the table and continue to fire blanks in front of goal. There aren't really any positives to take from this game - the fifth in a row that they have failed to score in. The defence looks solid enough, but the midfield lacks creativity despite there being a number of forwards who have proved that they can score at this level. Ironside and Sam Smith both look short on form or idea on how to get the ball in the back of the net though. Cambridge have a game in the FA Cup against Grimsby on Saturday, but I'll miss that as I'll be in London. The next league game is pretty imperative that they get something from when they travel to Forest Green. After that it's a tricky home fixture against league leaders Plymouth before touch away trips to Sheffield Wednesday and Derby. Things could get worse before they get better. 

 Another day another 0-0 draw... On Tuesday we went to see Cambridge take on Curzon Ashton in the FA Cup first round replay. The previous game between the two had finished 0-0 and then we witnessed Cambridge draw 0-0 on Saturday. However, our hopes that Cambridge would defeat a team in the 6th level of football and finally score some goals were swiftly dismissed. The game 3 days earlier against Bolton had been an entertaining affair, but this wasn't. Cambridge dominated possession, but on the very rare occasion Curzon managed an attack they actually looked more like scoring. Cambridge passed the ball sideways until they eventually got in the position to send in an ineffective cross and that was about it. In previous posts, I have called for the inclusion of Saikou Janneh and Sam Smith when they have been left out, but on this performance I can see why neither of them are starting league games.  18 shots and 8 on target, but none of them looked like going in. At least they finally p

 There was a big crowd at the Abbey on Saturday and a big result was needed, as the Us have really been sliding down the table recently. They didn't get a much needed win, but this was a far more tenacious performance and spirited affair than many recent games have been. As far as 0-0 draws go this was an entertaining affair with both teams registering a fair number of shots, but neither goalkeeper being unduly bothered. Harvey Knibbs should probably have given the Us the lead early in the second half, but on balance a draw was probably a fair result in what was quite a bad tempered affair. Tempers really did spill over when Kyle Dempsey was given his marching orders on 75 minutes and Wanderers were reduced to 10 men. Cambridge were unable to make the most of their advantage though and the game finished in a stalemate. A result that doesn't really help either team, as Bolton are now just out of the playoff positions and Cambridge are 3 places and 6 points above the relegation z

 I am not going to pretend to know much about rugby. I can follow it OK on TV, but rarely go to a live game. It was just this Saturday there was a train strike on and even if there hadn't been the only match on locally was Peterborough v Salford in the FA Cup, which if it wasn't for the strike I would have gone to. It finished 0-0 anyway and although the strike was cancelled at the last minute, I don't feel too upset about missing it. The other choice was Ely Reserves v Iselham in the cup, but I'd heard the Reserves had a depleted team and paying £3 for basically park football is a bit of a cheek. I have been catching a bit of rugby on TV lately and I have quite enjoyed the Gallagher Premiership and there have been some exciting games and finishes. For a while every time I watched a game there seemed to be far too much kicking and that had put me off. The game between Ely and Cantabs was entertaining enough, but the slippery conditions led to quite a few handling errors