Kingstonian vs Cambridge United

Cambridge United line-up: Barrett, Chenery, Marc Joseph, Craddock, Jamie Campbell (Murphy 70), Wilson, Preece (Hayes 81), Wanless (Beall 70), Rees, Taylor, Benjamin.

[Jon Mansfield's match report] [Cambridge Evening News match report]

Jon Mansfield's match report: (His first for U's Net!)
Quite a good performance once the defence sorted themselves out, rather cobbled together team, and yes lesser spotted Barrett in goal, ( Ah so that's why we pay him !!, and an excellent goal from Wanless (Born is the King of the Abbey!!.....).

In the second half had an interesting conversation with a guy that started talking to me about Craddock, started the conversation Is he 6ft 1" or 6ft 2", I'm not sure I replied suspiciously, Turned out to be a scout from Sunderland sent down by Peter Reid to watch him, contrary to the CEN reports that Reid etc was coming to see him against Luton on Friday, he said that that was not the case, He seemed unaware of the Luton game, but said he would pospone his trip to France by a day to see him. He told me that it was pretty much decided that Craddock would go providing he didn't have a couple of nightmare games, It was obvious that he rated him very highly. As for a transfer fee, no fee had been discussed as yet, but said he was worth at least ( His words not mine ) 400K. He said they would act quickly so as not to lose their man and expect to sign him soon.

There were also scouts from Chelsea and Crystal Palace at the game but they were thought to have been watching Kingstonians Eddie Akuamoah who has just returned from a trial with Nottingham Forest ( He is Good, Get your Cheque book out Roy)

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Cambridge Evening News' match report:

THE sign above the entrance to the pitch, apeing the famous warning at Anfield, failed to have the desired effect on Cambridge United. Somehow "This is Kingstonian," lacks a little menace, as United quickly demonstrated by taking the lead within two minutes.

And a side depleted by minor injuries to at least four probable first-choice players went on to a comfortable and encouraging victory in their first public friendly of the pre- season programme.

Kingstonian may be a non-League team at a level comparable to Cambridge City, but they beat third division Barnet 2-0 in midweek and are managed by canny Geoff Chapple, who made a shock summer switch from Woking. He has brought in some seasoned campaigners such as giant defender Terry Evans, who terrified United at times in his Wycombe days.

But a bit of a mix-and-match United side had too much power and skill in midfield and strength in defence. With defender Matt Joseph, midfielder Ian Ashbee and strikers Jamie Barnwell plus Michael Kyd kept out by knocks, pulls and strains, manager Roy McFarland had a new-look side on show.

Marc Joseph and Jamie Campbell joined Jody Craddock in the centre of the defence, while Ben Chenery made his United debut as right wing-back, with Paul Wilson on the left. Jason Rees came into midfield with David Preece and Paul Wanless. John Taylor and Trevor Benjamin were up front.

The surprise was the appearance in goal of Scott Barrett, who has not taken part in the first fortnight of pre-season training. Youngsters Chenery (signed from Luton) and Joseph improved after nervy looking starts, Wilson picked up where he left off in a solid loan spell from Scunthorpe last season, and Campbell (ex-Barnet) had a steady, if unspectacular, game.

Rees, likely to be signed from Portsmouth, always looked cool and in control in the London heat, he and Preece darting little bookends either side of Wanless who supplied the midfield power. The precision passing of Rees and Preece kept the ball away from the home side. And, in attack, Taylor and Benjamin did their job with a goal each, although the two big men are hardly the ideal strike partnership.

It was an interesting encounter for an hour, tricky winger Eddie Akuamoah preventing United from becoming complacent. But everyone knew the result once Joseph, Taylor and Wanless combined for United's excellent third goal and the match slowly deflated in the heat.

Many thanks to Jon Mansfield for his match report.

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