United had fun in the sun today as they continued their fine start to the season with a 4-3 win at Histon. Goals from Matt Green, Simon Clist and two from James Constable sealed a great win and served notice to any teams in this league that United mean business. Even a late comeback from ten man Histon couldn't ruin a happy ending.

The U's switched to a three man defence of Luke Foster, Mark Creighton and Kevin Sandwith, with Chris Carruthers coming in for his first appearance of the season as left wing back and bravely went for a three man front line. It was a gamble that paid off.

It was right wing back Adam Chapman who created the first opening after five minutes with a fine deep cross which found Green at the far post, the striker unsure of his touch as he tried to finish. There were then strong claims for a penalty as Creighton headed across goal and Constable was bundled over just before he could get a header away. Ref Naylor waved away the claims, but must have known then  that he had a busy afternoon ahead of him as the game set off at one hundred miles an hour, a pace that never dropped.

Sandwith made two vital interceptions to keep HIston out in the first fifteen minutes, and then in the sixteenth minute it was 1-0. Midson flicked on down the right and Green was away and in behind. As with the opening game of the season against York, Green was racing the keeper for a through ball and was just too sharp. He got there first and it was end of story as he lifted the ball expertly over the sprawling Naisbitt and one bounce into the roof of the net.

United were very much on top and Chapman lofted a left footed effort just over on eighteen minutes as they looked for a killer second goal. There were then two incidents involving Luke Foster which could have had a big bearing on the game. First he was shunted over the fence and into the terrace by Wright as they chased a long ball: a yellow card for Wright which could easily have been a red. Then on 25 a chase for Foster to catch the through Frew ended with a trip and a free kick on the edge of the area. Again a yellow which could have been red.

Ref Naylor turned down another penalty shout on 35 as the ball appeared to strike a Histon hand, but there was a major let off just before the break as Wright did everything right as he twisted to volley at goal from eight yards, but rather crucially forgot to kick the ball. Perhaps the key thing to remember you'd think.

There was then a remarkable start to an amazing second period. 35 seconds in and it was 1-1. Right back Chapman had just been replaced by Damian Batt when a deep cross from that area caught the whole back line out and found Jamie Barker at the far post to guide his header back across Clarke and into the net.

How would The U's react? Obviously with a brilliant goal to regain the lead. Within 45 seconds they took the restart and knocked it forward. It was repelled but bounced up perfectly for perhaps the best person to stride on to. Clist has scored some fine goals for United but none better than this as, without breaking stride, he struck it left footed from 22 yards and saw it whistle into the far corner of the net past the flying Naisbitt's flailing fingers. Great technique and a fine goal.

Naisbitt then lost the plot and made his team's job far harder with a couple of minutes of silliness. First Green stood in front of him as he tried to kick long. Green did nothing outside the rules but it upset the home keeper, who was still brooding two minutes later as he and Green went to retrieve the ball as it went harmlessly out of play for a throw. A ballboy kicked it back to Naisbitt, Green nicked it and Naisbitt charged into the striker, then did so again while leading with his head and having a sly dig in the striker's ribs. Mr Naylor was on the spot and immediately reached for the red card for the HIston keeper.

Up against ten men United used their brains and kept passing the ball around, and on 72 it paid off as they seemed to clinch the game. It had been a great day out but all it needed was for Constable to score his first of the season. Cue Green for a great cross and the perfect invitation for Constable who turned and lashed the ball superbly into the top right hand corner of the net. Another top goal and the first of many for Constable this season.

His second was almost as good and owed a lot to Green's unselfish nature. Green and Constable played together as kids and have a fine understanding and on 77 as the former broke free and advanced on the keeper, Constable kept pace alongside and finished with some style as his schoolboy friend squared the ball eight yards out.

As you will always expect from Histon they kept playing the way they had, despite being a man down, and on 80 it paid off as Josh Simpson thrashed a low shot across which Bradley Hudson-Odoi touched into the corner of the net to make it 2-4 after a scramble. It set up a fine, all action finish, and with three minutes to go captain Langston nodded a similar chance to the first goal back across Clarke and into the same corner to make it 3-4.

The last two minutes were agony, but forget the pain; United now have seven points out of nine.

A win is a win, but to do so at one of last season's play-off teams, and on a ground where United have been shocking (at best) on their last two visits is a fine sign of things to come.

United are at home to Chester on Tuesday night. Come and join us...

Att: 1,433

Report by Chris Williams

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