football rambles

 My first time flying solo at the football in a long time in a game that was really a game of two halves. Overall Cambridge were probably the better team, but the first half belonged to Port Vale and the second half to Port Vale. It was Vale who opened the scoring on 20 minutes when Ben Garrity put the visitors ahead. Unfortunately, after a bright start Ahadme is starting to look like another disappointing forward that Cambridge have signed and Kachunga, Kakai and Ahadme were all disappointing in the first half. Mark Bonner obviously felt the same way and the cavalry were introduced just after the hour mark with the aforementioned three being replaced by Jack Lankester, Fejiri Okenabirhie and John Kymani-Gordon. It's hard to understand why the three didn't start as they all have the ability to change games. You just wonder if Bonner sees Okenabirhie and Kymani-Gordon as impact subs, as when they come on they usually have an impact. It only took the duo 4 minutes on the pitch to

 I have had a pretty busy few days, so I am only catching up with Saturday's game now, but it's not much worth writing home about unless you are a Southport fan! After failing to get promoted last time out when it seemed like it would have been easier to go up, it looks like it is going to be a long season for King's Lynn. Two goals from Marcus Carver and one by Jack Doyle gave the visitors a 3-0 lead after half an hour even though the opening 20 minutes had looked like King's Lynn would get the lead, but a devastating 10 minutes where the Southport forwards were aided by some poor defensive communication from Lynn gave them a 3-0 lead. It got even worse for Lynn ahead of half time when Carver completed his hat-trick and gave the visitors a 4-0 lead. Jordan Ponticelli gave Lynn  a consolation goal just after the break, but Southport were in control and had Lynn where they wanted them. The main positive was probably the nice weather. Probably the last hot day of the year

 So Thursday night football was followed up by Monday night football as Cambridge took on Reading at the Abbey in front of the Sky cameras. The atmosphere and the performance by the Us definitely went up a level for this game. Both teams managed to get plenty of shots off, but Cambridge were the better team in the first half. Liam Bennet as an attacking right back with Liam Brophy just in front of him caused all sorts of problems for Reading in their left hand side. However, the Us as a whole sometimes lacked accuracy with passes in the final third and the Royals' goalkeeper, David Button was an experienced head at the back who oozed confidence and helped organise the defence to stay solid at the back. Cambridge had the lion's share of chances in the first half, but it was Reading who came closest to opening the scoring when ex-U Harvey Knibbs left Digby and Ryan Bennet tied up before a last minute tackle by Liam Bennet rescued what would have been a certain goal. There was sti

Thursday saw the return of European football to Villa Park for the first time in 13 years as Villa took on Hibs in what was already a bit of a dead rubber.  The first leg of the Conference League Play off had seen Villa see off Hibs 5-0 in Edinburgh, so it was a surprisingly relaxed visit to Villa Park. To be fair to Hibs, they still travelled in numbers and I can attest to the fact that the Dragon Inn, Wellington and Queen's Arms in town were all populated by travelling fans (and probably a few other pubs too). Unfortunately for them though despite the impressive amount of noise they made at the game and the non-stop singing, this was European football and not the Eurovision Song Contest, as they were blown away again on the pitch. Villa made several changes as was to be expected. It was a good chance to see youngsters Jhon Duran, Omari Kellyman and Seb Revan in action.  It was Jhon Duran, who after scoring within a few seconds of being introduced in the Everton game a week before