When there is an exodus of around 200 fans making the long midweek journey to Cambridge, the result is all-important.  In this game the Amber Army, which swelled the gate at Milton Road to a season’s best 535, had the pleasure of seeing County produce a competent and professional display against a promising young Cambridge side as well as picking up the all-important three points.

Since the appointment of Gary Roberts as manager a few years ago, City have possibly punched above their weight given their legal wrangles, and their fans have shown a passion to keep the club alive with a spirit of togetherness to which County supporters can relate.   They came into this game in confident mood after a 5-1 demolition of Weston three days earlier in which ‘Son of Teddy’ Charlie Sheringham scored a hat-trick of headers on his full debut for the Lilywhites.  With Michael Gash looking to increase his tally of 26 goals for the campaign, County knew they were in for a tough test and City obliged.

It took Gash just half a minute to signal his intentions with a cross-shot requiring a save from Glyn Thompson though the opening quarter of an hour was largely dominated by the defences.  As the rain started to fall heavily though, the pitch became softer and both sides were stroking the ball around with some style.  County had a few half chances before Steve Jenkins was cautioned for a late tackle, though the visitors had a slight edge before a brief purple patch for City with some dangerous runs from Ashley Fuller on the left and an overhead kick from central defender Dave Theobald on 39 minutes which Thompson was well placed to hold.

It was difficult to pick a likely winner before Craig Hughes was fouled 30 yards out on the left in the 43rd minute to give Andy ‘Bend it Like’ Gurney a chance to show his party piece with a superb delivery which had home keeper Shane Herbert in about four minds before CHARLIE GRIFFIN headed home from close range.  County’s top scorer had not been as clinical of late with his finishing but he is always alert for the slightest chance and this took his total for the season to an impressive 20.

There was still little to divide the teams in an absorbing contest played in front of a noisy unsegregated crowd, though Jason Bowen almost had the away fans cheering in the 61st minute with an effort which clipped the crossbar with Herbert helpless.  Thompson had been relatively untested thus far but he had to make two smart stops to keep out a couple of efforts from Fuller, and then showed his class with excellent positioning and handling to deal with a shot on the turn from Gash which was the best City attempt so far.  The next goal was always going to be crucial and when it arrived in the 71st minute it was the away fans who were ecstatic.

GURNEY was already looking the best footballer on the park for the second time in three days even before his goal which was as good as anything he has produced for County so far.  A Richard Evans corner on the right was partially cleared and when Bowen’s effort from the edge of the area was charged down, the Bristol based midfielder struck in devastating style to unleash a shot into the roof of the net which threatened to decapitate anyone who got in its way.  The celebrations as Gurney charged towards the main body of County fans captured the mood of the moment and there was no way back for Cambridge.

County stroked the ball around to kill the game with an authority they have not always demonstrated and there was a late cameo to enjoy from Jermaine Clarke who replaced Griffin for the last 15 minutes and looked dangerous every time the ball came close to him.  Scott Neilson joined County skipper Jenkins in the notebook of referee Oleksandr Saliy who did much to help the game to flow with a mature and relaxed display of officiating.  On another day City might have gained some reward, but this was County’s evening and the convoy of fans in cars and coaches could enjoy their long trip back home.  Whether they return to Milton Road next season is still to be decided, but once again Cambridge City have shown their usual standards of hospitality and warmth, and County fans will wish them well for the future.

Man of the Match

City: Stephen Smith (hard working display in midfield).

County: Andy Gurney (once again the pick of a very good team performance).

Special mention: The policeman who spotted that the web reporter had dropped a ten pound note before the game, and Julian Alsop for causing much hilarity by pouring a bottle of water over the same reporter at the end!