U's 1-1 Bolton: Ten vs Twelve
Alright that’s a slightly tongue in cheek headline, but there were definitely times last night it felt like we were up against the officials as well as Bolton’s players.
But you know what - despite it being a 1-1 draw with little real quality on show (that was definitely the poorest Bolton team we’ve seen at the Abbey for as long as I can remember) it was one of *those* games. You know the ones, The Abbey. The floodlights, the cold, the smell of undercooked bacon wafting through the stands… one of *those* games. The crowd was our smallest of the season so far, with the South Stand virtually empty, but it felt like everyone had packed into the NRE - as loud and as supportive as I’ve heard all season.
To the game itself then, and well, it was pretty unremarkable. United got out the blocks quick, having a chance within the first five minutes but that was kind of it really. Bolton looked flat, their league position betraying what looked like a fairly unremarkable side. The first half was over almost as soon as it started, a cursory one minute of injury time felt like a minute too long, so little was the action on the pitch.
The second half went much the same way, United content to let Bolton have possession and snatch at chances every now and again, whilst getting forward when possible. Njoku made way for Lavery at half-time, United’s #34 having a below-par game by his standards. I think if we had a fully fit squad we’d have looked to get him a loan out to League Two or the Conference to get some goals against his name, so in a way he’s suffering by playing this regularly.
The turning point came ten minutes into the second half, as Bolton prepared to take a corner some jostling in the area lead to Okedina raising his hands - gently mind - to Bolton’s number six who went down like he’d been snipered from one of the floodlights. A soft red card, but Okedina was bang to rights really, you can’t raise your hands to someones face, especially when you’re that close to the referee.
The red card was about the only decision the ref got right in the second half, and it felt like he was going to lose control of the game shortly after. Korey Smith pulled to the ground, whilst waiting for Bolton to take a throw, once he was on his feet the throw went into the box, and as Andrew prepared to get his tackle in he was caught allowing Aaron Collins to squirm a shot past Reyes. Both could have done better, both a little unlucky, but it was United with the world against them as Bolton could sit back and defend their lead with the luxury of the extra man.
Too many times before we’d have seen heads drop here - and many people, myself included have questioned the fight and spirit in this United team. They answered that brilliantly last night, battling for everything, fighting for the ball and not giving up. Morrison seemed constantly on the cusp of a red card, but once the game settled it was the U’s who took it to Bolton, pushing for that goal. Kachunga came on for Cousins, and whilst he didn’t do a whole lot it was a statement of intent from Monk as we tried to claw back a point.
That goal came in the last minute of the 90, an Andrew throw made its way back to him in front of the main stand, and his whipped cross found Sullay Kaikai to nod home and send the ground into pandemonium. One of *those* Abbey nights.
United almost nabbed all three points with the last ball of the game, a corner that Ibsen Rossi couldn’t steer past the Bolton keeper, but you know what? Given everything, a point was a decent result in the end.
What did we learn then? Firstly: the jury’s still out on Ryan Loft. He defends well, and he’s a big unit, but I pray to God we don’t have to watch him try and hold the ball up like that for the next four years. But remember: Paul Mullin had never scored much till he came here either…
Secondly: this team has spirit. We might still go down yet, but it’s not gonna be without a fight.
Thirdly: we proper ruined that ref’s acca didn’t we?
Man of the Match: Michael Morrison. A walking red card he somehow managed to stay on the pitch for the 90 and led by example. An imperious performance from the captain.
Soundtrack of the Match: Black Sabbath - Paranoid