0315. That's the time I got back to my south coast idyll. Certainly not the latest (or earliest depending on how you see these things) I have crawled down my darkened street but the constant so-called motorway roadworks where for miles you don't see a soul in a high-viz once again attempted to a cloud an evening that otherwise was rather enjoyable (indeed, I was almost excited - but as I tried that once and didn't like it, almost was the nearest I got).
Of all the bigger grounds we have enjoyed in recent seasons, Meadow Lane is my favourite. Their fans tend to be less partisan and the stewards just let you get on with it (Bradford take note, although, as Stewart implied on another thread that particular issue was resolved, the individual concerned relieved of his duties).
And what a match. I expect both managers would have considered the first half too open. I said after we won the opening game that County would struggle to finish as high as the pundits were suggesting as their defence wasn't great and U's exploited that once more. U's defence has hardly been water-tight so perhaps a high-scoring match was what we should have expected. I think County has now conceded just one less than we have this season.
U's netted the crucial first goal thanks to a wonderful cross by Dukey and Jacko being where a wing-back should be (shades of Ajiboye that) but the lead was short lived as Ben G did what he does but in attempting another brave block was unfortunate where the ball connected with him. Langstaff's spot kick, emphatic. County looked threatening and not for the first time this season, down our left in particular where Nemane was thriving.
County was looking for a penalty (it wasn't) when we broke but it was a poorly executed back pass that allowed Harry S to net his first EFL goal since Grimsby with a cool finish. Back came Notts and our defensive issues. Steve A (who made one outstanding save in the second half) caught in no man's lad and the comparably diminutive Crowley looped a header, perhaps fortunately into the net.
After initial home pressure, the second half was very much about U's. They pushed the hosts back for long periods and eventually got their reward when Harry had his shot saved, Easty had his blocked illegally by an arm but Ollie was there to open his Sutton account. Back came County and Crowley again with this time a wonderful finish, albeit past the now struggling Steve A (hope he is ok).
Deflated, no. Sam missed an absolute sitter (might mention that when he next comes through the car park gate) before Charlie jinked into the box and was brought down by Crowley. He got up and smashed the penalty home. From there, U's bossed the match, no comeback for the hosts with their own fans very much on their backs.
A great victory, monkey off the back etc. False dawn? Who knows? In a season such as this, enjoy the moment. It was a great squad performance and Steve got those subs right changing from three (or five when not in possession) at the back to 4-4-2. Some fine individual performances within a real team effort.
At times last night, it felt like we were, not for the first time, playing 12 men. The ref was awful. He chucked yellow's out at us willy nilly but where was the card for there first sub in the second (his boot was very high) and also Crowley's for the foul that brought the pen? Once again Harry got nothing out of him. I think it's a new L2 sport for refs to see how far they can push Harry to reacting. It would have been interesting to see if, had Ollie not been there to net, would he have given the pen for handball and sent their fella off, I am not convinced. Still, he did give the one that mattered, although not to would have been a crime against sport. I learnt a new swear word last night (well two combined together to form a tellingly accurate description of the ref's performance). Apparently, even the "neutrals" in our end (there was a few I am told), could not believe what they were watching at times. Welcome to our world.
Finally, well done to the 113 (including "guests") for getting behind the team all through the match. The home support may lack in passion at times the away one continues to be small but bloody noisy.
Am I happy? Well, I tried that once too and didn't like it.
To add: this was the first time that U's have scored four goals in an EFL away match and the first time away in a league game since at Altrincham 0n 17/04/2021.
I am not sure, bearing in mind, it's well over 3,000 matches that I have watched, if I have seen Sutton required to lead four times in a match to take victory. Any ideas presssec?
In answer to the above, davef has given me Dartford in that 6-3 FA Cup win as an example. My memory, these days.