Cambridge United FC
McEvilly (21)
Farrell (38)
Holdroyd (83)

Team:

1 Lee Hook
5 Ben Austin
8 Paul Armstrong (C)
9 Andy Atkin
2 Darren Baker
7 Pat Harding
21 Mo Harkin
3 Neil Jenkins
6 Marc Pullan
4 Matt Smart
10 Allan Tait

Substitutes:

18 Darren Budd for Tait (90)
11 Matt Crabb for Harding (59)
13 Jay Lovett
14 Jean-Michel Sigere for Atkin (59)
22 Chris Winterton

Team:

1 Daniel Potter (C)
2 Daniel Gleeson
3 Anthony Tonkin
5 Phillip Bolland
6 Wayne Hatswell
7 Mark Beesley
9 Lee McEvilly
10 Jon Challinor
16 Ben Farrell
18 Robbie Willmott
20 Jardim Filino

Substitutes:

12 Joshua Coulson
17 Gavin Hoyte
19 Chris Jones for Willmott (85)
21 Chris Holdroyd for McEvilly (78)
30 Steven Drench

Booked:
McEvilly

Boro returned to Priory Lane and with the visitors sitting at the top of the table the day was not expected to be any easier that the previous fixture at Oxford. The large (and vocal) traveling support arrived and obvioulsy brought the summer with them as both sides kicked off on a beautiful late summer day.

Cambridge signalled their intent with Boro struggling to see much of the ball in the opening 5 minutes and only strong interventions by Ben Austin and Neil Jenkins prevented an early score. Boro had half chances with Austin and Andy Atkin deliveries across the United box but the visitors took the lead on 21 minutes. Boro lost the ball in midfield and Lee mcEvilly was played in down the left channel; his low drive across Lee Hook into the bottom corner sending the visting fans behind the River End goal wild.

Boro almost pulled the goal back when Allan Tait touched a cross to Atkin on the edge of the 6yard box but the big strikers control let him down. Mo Harkin, Matt Smart and Tait had further chances but 7 minutes from the break Cambridge extended their lead; McEvilly again involved. He fed a fine ball across the park for Ben Farrell to strike a sweet shot low into the net from a full 25 yards for 2-0. Hook was forced into a further save prior to the referee calling the half to an end; Garry & Nick looking to inspire a 2nd half-response with the team during the break.

Boro started the 2nd 45 brightly with a fantastic Austin cross just evading the front 2 and the strong right-back scooping over the resultant corner. Neil Jenkins was only denied a strike on target by last ditch covering tackle before Jean-Michel Sigere and Matt Crabb joined the fray. United continued to search for a 3rd and Marc Pullan was forced to head over his own bar under pressure on 65 minutes; Hook saving from Mark Beesley moments later.

Boro pressure saw Mr Lee award an indirect free-kick for a back-pass on 78 minutes but Harkin's effort was blocked from 12 yards out. On 83 minutes United wrapped up the points when a ball down the left wing was deflected past the last man for sub Chris Holdroyd to finish cooly past Hook after a strong run.

Harkin struck over the bar in the closing moments but United played out the minutes remaing in full control. This fixture was another demonstration of the step Boro have made. The 3 goal margin was due, in part, to a full time side taking the chances that come their way and the added edge and fitness exposing any small error the opposition make. No doubt the Boro management team will be doing all they can to eradicate these 'errors' and increase squad fitness but it must also be said that on this day Cambridge United were the best side seen at Priory Lane in many a year. Many saw Boro's 'dream' (or is it nightmare) opening 4 fixtures and maybe wondered where the goals and points may be taken. On reflection the team scored 6 goals (all away); secured a win at a much fancied Stevenage but crucially competed with all sides. Despite this defeat there was much optimism in and around 'The Lane' as the club looked forward to the forthcoming fixtures.

Words - Lee Peskett