United line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Granville, Wanless (Beall 79), Thompson, Marc Joseph, Raynor, Hyde, Turner, Barnwell, Richards (Wilde 54)
Sub not used: Vowden.

Andrea's summary
In an afternoon to be forgotten Cardiff's veteran Steve White - who hit four against the U's for Hereford last season - notched two more and Robbie Turner was sent off as we went down 2-0.

A crowd of 2,478 came to watch, the United supporters optimistic after a couple of good away performances, and witnessed a sorry defensive performance on a day that probably marks the end of Gary Brazil's spell at the club. Turner was booked in the 29th minute for dissent and received his second yellow card on 68 for a foul. Additionally Paul Wanless, Paul Raynor and Micah Hyde were all booked for dissent - Raynor for disputing Turner's dismissal.

37-year-old White notched his first when he got on the end of a long ball from Cardiff goalkeeper Elliot, and his second came in the 37th minute when he connected with a free kick to beat Scott Barrett. United had the lion's share of possession both before and after the goals without finding the ball that mattered, and in the second half although we pressed hard Phil Neal's side defended in numbers and denied United any space. 17-year-old Adam Wilde made his debut in the 54th minute and produced a couple of mazy runs without affecting the outcome.

Andrea

Mandy Mynott's report (via Ben):
Cambridge created as many, if not more, chances than Cardiff, but lacked the final touch; the Cardiff goalie did have a good game though. Granville was at fault for the first goal, Barrett & the defence for the second. A brief run-down on the players:

Barrett         Nothing great.

Matt Joseph     Shouted a lot, but to no avail.

Granville       Mandy (and apparently some on the BBC Cambs phone-in) 
                thought he was by far the worst player.  Had to defend a
                lot more due to the 4-4-2 formation, but had a mare!

Marc Joseph     Average.  Racially taunted by Cardiff’s striker, but the 
                ref failed to spot it.

Thompson        Nothing great but the pick of the defence probably.

Wanless         OK going forward, poor defensively.

Raynor          Quite a good game.  Must sort his temper out though; did
                well to stop Turner getting into SERIOUS trouble, but then
                laid into the ref himself!

Hyde            Probably the second best player.  Linked well with Barnwell
                and when he had the ball going forward we looked good.

Turner          Tried hard.  Booked first for a tackle, then sent off for
                dissent late on.  Looked like he was going to hit out at
                the ref until Raynor managed to stop him.

Richards        Reasonable.  Looked like a not-so-good Stevie Claridge.

Barnwell        In Mandy’s opinion easily CUFC’s best player.  Went close
                several times.

Subs:

Beall           Did little
Wilde           A youth teamer, who did OK, but WHAT WAS SUCH AN
                INEXPERIENCED PLAYER DOING REPLACING RICHARDS, who was
                actually doing OK.

Ben

With thanks to Mandy and Ben for their views.

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