So we reach Matchday #46, the final game of the regular season, but will it be our final match of a remarkable season? After losing a disappointing home game against Salford City in front of the $ky cameras at the end of October, we were 21st in the league, staring down the barrel of another season trying to avoid relegation out of the football league.
And then the Cowley’s project started to click into gear – nine games unbeaten in the league and we were up to 15th. A two game blip was followed by another 13 games unbeaten and we were in the play-offs. As injuries, illness, suspensions and unavailability took their toll on a U’s squad creaking at the seams, another two game blip was followed by four unbeaten to take us back into the play-offs.
And then another two game blip…
We are where we are but considering where we were at the end of October, by any measure it is remarkable that we go into tomorrow’s game with a chance of making the play-offs. The U’s have to win and three other results must go our way. Plenty has already been said about the synchronicity of how exactly ten years ago tomorrow we faced an identical scenario, only that time to stay in League 1, and we all know how that turned out.
There’s no point focusing on our game, we have to beat Barrow. Whether it’s Durham’s stonking 6-0 prediction to give us another ‘out’, or one off the arse in the 90th minute, it doesn’t really matter – we simply have to win! This review will focus solely on those other three games, and with time ticking away, no photo links I’m afraid.
Carlisle v Salford City – Despite a decent turn of form under new manager Mark Hughes, Carlisle were inevitably relegated last Saturday after losing 3-2 at Cheltenham to an injury time winner. For a team relegated to the National League, Carlisle’s home form has been pretty good.
The trouble is, Salford’s away form is even better, and perfectly timed too. As I’m sure most pundits will be predicting, Salford should win. A point and we’re relying on Durham’s 6-0 win against Barrow (or any other win by six goals – other results are available) to overtake them, but not a result we should be relying on.
It all boils down to what the Carlisle team are playing for. Will Mark Hughes stay on to try and steer them back out of non-league, has he already had conversations with his squad about who is in his mind to keep, how many will be playing for a contract, never mind the pride to die on their feet not surrender on their knees? Breeze to breeze into the box for a Jimmy Glass 95th minute winner. Forecast: Carlisle United 2 Salford 1
Grimsby Town v AFC Wimbledon – Lots of factors at play for this one. Grimsby have the worst goal difference in the top half of the table by a distance, and they’ll know that anything but a win leaves them vulnerable, and even a win might not be enough.
The trouble is, their home form is poor, and they face an AFC Wimbledon side who have been consistently in the top seven since mid-November, and know that a combination of results could easily see them drop completely out of even the play-offs. I think they’ll be up for it and I’ll be more than happy to sacrifice Matt Macey’s chance of the League 2 Golden Gloves for this one. Forecast: Grimsby 0 AFC Wimbledon 0
Accrington Stanley v Chesterfield – This is the one I’m most worried about if I’m honest. Despite being briefly involved in a possible relegation battle, the one factor in our favour is that Accy Stanley have a pretty resilient home form, four draws and one victory in their last six.
On the flipside, Chesterfield are one of the in-form sides in the league, 3rd over the last ten games. But, if we need a glimmer of hope, they’ve dropped five points in their last two away games. Whilst a Spireites win is likely, I have to believe that “oo are dey?” will have enough about them to snatch a late equaliser. Forecast: Accrington Stanley 2 Chesterfield 2
Up the U’s!
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