After The Noise

Everything Is Equal

Saturday 21 March 2026

Mark Johnson, Doug Shulman – Cambridge United v Salford City, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (2026)

The morning was a rush job round Costco. Two hundred quid lighter and an awful lot of toilet paper and bottled water.

Had to stop at Tesco for chicken and mince for Bowie. She agreed to walk him. I put the shopping away whilst biting my fingernails.

I’d booked the television from 12:30 to 14:30, just so there would be domestic rowing, with this being such an important game.

My wife laughed at the seriousness of my tone when I explained how big this was. She wasn’t even aware Salford had a team.

Mind you, until those ex-Man Utd players got involved, I don’t think many people did.

Jobs done.

Sat down with a sparkling water and herbal tea. The temptation to add whisky to one, or both, was there. But for once, in a nervous football environment, I decided to behave.

Another massive match for Cambridge United in their admirable quest to bounce straight back to League One after last season’s relegation disappointment.

Still impressively in third, but it’s tightening up at the top. Today’s visitors, Salford City — ironically just a couple of miles away from my house. In good form having won four on the bounce. Cambridge eight unbeaten, but still drawing a few too many for my liking.

Naturally, I was at the reverse fixture in October. A dour 0–0. Today was expected to be nervy, cagey. And so it proved.

Johnson and Shulman syncing up with the TV pictures is a godsend for exiled supporters like me. There’s something tremendous about radio commentary describing every slice of action, but with the added bonus of seeing what they’re talking about.

They’ve been soundtracking my Saturdays for more years than I care to remember. Both diehard supporters. They bleed United.

First half, Cambridge on top without really creating much, bar one golden chance fluffed.

Second half, Neil Harris sends them out all guns blazing. Within four minutes, United ahead. Set piece. Lovely header from James Gibbons. Top left corner. Keeper stranded.

Salford weren’t at the races. They made changes, we made changes, but the flow of the game didn’t shift. They huffed and puffed, but never really looked like getting back in it.

Yes, it was nervy, but nothing like the MK Dons game, when everything and the kitchen sink was thrown at us and we still conceded an equaliser deep into stoppage time.

Speaking of MK Dons… they surprisingly lost at home to Barnet in the other lunchtime kick-off.

The whistle blows. An edgy, sneaky, well-deserved win against a promotion rival.

I breathe out.

Final score: Cambridge United 1–0 Salford City.

Still firmly in the mix for automatic promotion. Eight huge matches left. Swindon and Notts County winning today, means it’s tight at the top.

And both have to come to the Abbey Stadium.

END OF LISTENING LOG

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