RANDALL BUTT reports as United hit two quick goals to see off Northampton

THE 'B' squad are back in business. After a seven-match starvation which produced only one goal between them, Cambridge United's top scorers hit two in three minutes to clobber the Cobblers.

Troubled Trevor Benjamin burst back to his best to head a 57th minute equaliser, then set up a tap-in winner for Martin Butler. It took the powerful pairing to 12 goals each for the season and United deservedly through to the next round against a second division side they outplayed for most of the match.

United had to haul themselves level twice, but it was hardly a fightback victory. The goals came firstly out of the blue, then against the run of play for a drearily- predictable long-ball Northampton side. There was not a single threat from them between former United striker Carlo Corazzin's 11th minute opportunist goal and Chris Freestone's second from a 56th minute set-piece.

Despite manager Roy McFarland leaving out midfielders Paul Wanless and Neil Mustoe as a precaution before Saturday's League clash against Torquay, United quickly established control. Ian Ashbee resumed his battle for a place with Mustoe with a strong ball-winning display, and Alex Russell found the time and space to play a game which was a class above a three-quarters strength Division Two side.

The problem for United, though, was the first-half fade out up front where the experimental line of Richard Walker, Benjamin and Michael Kyd, making his first start since the end of August, never really gelled. Aston Villa loanee Walker cancelled out Corazzin's strike in the 18th minute, but it was from a corner, very little being created from open play.

It was not until Butler arrived, as a substitute for David Preece at the start of the second half, in an unlikely midfield role, that United began to make the most of their possession and territorial advantage. He seemed to give Benjamin the confidence to go on the barnstorming runs which frighten defenders and thrill the fans.

A highly encouraging crowd of 2,391 for a Shield match also encouraged him, but they made their point to the teenager again after his goal by chanting: "Sign your contract." Twice more after helping Butler end his seven games drought, the huge young striker took on the Cobblers defence, having a shot blocked and sending a centre skidding across the face of goal.

To add to the entertainment, the Abbey PA system delighted both sets of supporters by relaying 4-1, then 5-1, scorelines from Peterborough's tie at Bournemouth. As the cheers rose from both ends of the ground United's Corona Kop insisted: "We hate Boro more than you do."

There was just one scare to halt the early celebrations of the home fans when Lee Howey broke away six minutes from time and hit a pass towards Corazzin. Ben Chenery made a vital interception.

Extra time would have been an undeserved reward for ex-United boss Ian Atkins' muddled men, who appeared to be trying to play some kind of variation on John Beck's theme without any of the power and passion of that steam-roller team.

"We threw it away by defending badly at set-pieces," claimed Atkins lamely, as though that was the only slim difference between the sides.

Cambridge United moved to within three games of Wembley as their classy style overpowered an injury hit Northampton side. A fine crowd witnessed United progressing to the quarter final of this competition for the first time in nearly ten years as the Martin Butler goal famine was ended.

The game began with Northampton taking advantage of having the wind at their backs as they bossed the game in midfield and looked a dangerous force going forward. Yet it was United who had the best chance to take the lead as neat play from David Preese gave Michael Kyd the opportunity to make an instant impact with just five minutes on the clock. The out of practice striker however only managed to bother the few people weeding their allotments behind the south stand as he blazed the chance over.

United then fell behind to a rather dubious goal. Carlo Corazzin found himself bearing down on Van Huesden, after he had clearly controlled the ball with the palm of his hand, and slotted home into an empty net. Referee Mr Baines ignored the appeals for hand ball and allowed the neatly taken 11th minute goal to stand giving Northampton a lead they deserved on the overall early play.

There was always a feeling though that United, adopting a very attacking formation, could pull themselves back into the game. Ian Ashbee and Alex Russell both had long range efforts before the equaliser was mustered. Richard Walker met Alex Russell's deep cross with a looping header which Turley in the Town goal helped across the line to ensure the Aston Villa loan striker scored his first United goal on 18 minutes.

United were convinced they had taken the lead just a minute later as a powerful header from Jamie Campbell once again beat Turley, only to see a Northampton defender frantically head the ball from the goal line. The half then faded into a midfield battle, with United coming out on top, yet unable to create any other clear scoring opportunities. Carlo Corazzin put the ball in the back of the net for the visitors, but realised once he received the pass from team-mate Freestone, he was two or three yards offside.

The second half was one sided, and that is an understatement to rival any made this year. Cambridge United slaughtered Northampton with energetic, creative and penetrating attack play masterminded by a brilliant Benjamin, back to his rampaging best. After a disappointing first half the teenage front man laid to rest his problems of the past few weeks and got back to doing what we all know he can, winning games for Cambridge United.

Surprisingly after an opening ten minutes in which all play was controlled by United, it was Northampton who regained the lead after a goal line scramble. Arjan Van Heusden rose majestically to astonish Ian Samposn as he saved his near post header, only for the ball to fall invitingly for Chris Freestone to stab in.

This would spark a quite remarkable United onslaught, and just 39 seconds later we once again pegged Northampton back. Alex Russell watched his 56th minute cross powered home by Benjamin as United began to play with added tempo. On 59 minutes the scoring for the evening was completed, and the tie settled as the fans were treated to four-minute goal frenzy.

Martin Butler had replaced David Preece at half time, and ended his 720-minute goal drought during which his work-rate has never dropped. Trevor Benjamin amazed the Northampton defence to power a header against the bar from an acute far post angle, and as the ball hovered on the goal line the former Walsall striker stuck out a foot to put United within touching distance of Wembley, and lift a huge burden from his shoulders.

Northampton began to push men forward but this only aided the United front men, giving them the space and time in the Northampton half to look dangerous every time they gained possession. Richard Walker was turning them inside out on the right, whilst Michael Kyd began to show neat skill on the left and through the middle. Overall he had a fine game, during which he looked lacking in match fitness but that is to be expected. Trevor Benjamin was busy demolishing Northampton through the middle and on 83 minutes went past two defenders before seeing a final shot blocked. From the rebound the same player powered a header into the hands of Turley, who surely has a 'K' missing out of his name.

There would be a few nail biting moments for the United faithful, as both Corazzin and Freestone had chances to force the tie into extra time but overall Arjan Van Heusden had little to do for much of the second half. The final whistle was blown after three minutes of stoppage time to ensure ball number 22 would enter the draw for the quarterfinals.

A fine team performance in which the fighting spirit was perhaps the most pleasing thing to see. That, along with the performance of Trevor Benjamin, made for an entertaining and productive night's football. Roy McFarland has already got us further than our two previous managers in both this competition and the Worthington Cup. Based on this performance, he will surely complete the hat trick and take United up to Division Two, a division from which their outplayed and outclassed opponents can now return.

Man of the match: Trevor Benjamin, who after a rather uninspired first half, led a magnificent second half team performance. His scored the second and made the third and looked the class act we all know he is.

By the time I got to the Supporters Club Dave Brown had already swapped half his tickets with Peter Labourne, and declined my offer. Peter won £5 with the tickets from Dave!

Our side had a few changes from usual, Ashbee in for Mustoe, Preece for Wanless, Walker for Taylor, Kyd for Butler, with Butler, Youngs and Wilde as subs. Northampton have a Big team, only one player looked less than 6 foot!

We started slowly, allowing them to put up the high ball, but dealt with it reasonably well. We got a corner after 5 minutes, from which Kyd shot over, soon after Russell shot past.

Northampton took the lead on 11 minutes, the long ball down the middle looked to be going through to Van Heusden, but Corazzin stuck out a boot and somehow (possibly with the hand) knocked the ball against Van Heusden, the ball rebounding to his feet and he scored from 6 yards with an open goal. I thought Van Heusden should have got the ball first.

We continued passing the ball around, and made a number of half chances, Ashbee tried a curling shot which went wide. We equalised with a powerful header by Walker from a corner, their keeper parried the ball but could not stop it going into the net. Not long after from another corner a Campbell header was kicked off their line.

Benjamin wasn't able to do much in the first half, but was showing signs of trying harder, especially when he robbed Corazzin of the ball by the touchline near our goal line, which started a move upfield with Russell feeding Walker, but he was unable to do anything with the chance. Northampton rarely passed the ball on the ground, on one of the few times they did they scored, but it was dis-allowed for offside.

Butler came on for Preece (who had a slight strain) at the start of the second half. Chenery had our first shot, but high. 12 minutes into the half a powerful header from a corner seemed to be well saved by Van Heusden, but somehow the ball was scrambled into our net.

Their lead did not last long, almost immediately a Russell corner to the Campbell at the far post was headed back into the middle where Benjamin headed in from 6 yards. A couple of minutes later we took the lead, a good period of passing across the pitch gave Chenery a chance to cross to the back post where Benjamin volleyed the ball against the bar, it bounced on the line but Butler was on hand to knock the ball in.

We made more chances, a Walker looping header just cleared the bar, Benjamin headed over from another corner, Kyd shot wide after a quick break, Benjamin had a powerful shot blocked but still managed to get to the rebound first but headed into the keepers arms, Benjamin had another shot across the goal, and Russell shot over. Kyd was replaced about 15 minutes from the end by Youngs.

A well deserved win which puts us into the third round, especially sweet as boring lost 5-1 to Bournmouth (in memory of Dions hat-trick?).

Apart from the occasional long ball over the top in the middle, the defence coped fairly well, Duncan (captain) in particular managed to be in the right place at the right time to make defending look easy. Chenery and Campbell were able to get forward although Campbell could have done better with some of his crosses. Joseph got booked for a late challenge, towards the end he was on the receiving end of a nasty challenge which earned the other player a booking. Ashbee fitted in well in place of Wanless, putting himself about when necessary and trying to play the ball around and did particularly well in the second half. Preece looked class, as did Russell, who is my MoM again for his control and good use of the ball.

Butler did a reasonable job in midfield in the second half, a slightly more withdrawn role than he is used to. Kyd did well for his first game back, showing some of the good touches we know he can make although at times he chose the wrong option such as shooting when other players were better placed, but I suppose that shows his confidence is still there. Walker too showed good touches, but seemed to give the ball away too easily at times. Benjamin looked better than he has for a while, his mind seems back on the game. Youngs put himself around well, and was not overawed by the big defenders.

Ratings:
Van Heusden 6, Chenery 7, Ashbee 8, Duncan 8, Joseph 7, Campbell 7, Preece 8 (Butler 8), Walker 7, Kyd 7 (Youngs 7), Benjamin 8, Russell 9

Cambridge United made four changes to the team tonight, with Ian Ashbee in for Neil Mustoe (suspected thigh strain), David Preece replacing injured skipper Paul Wanless, on-loan Richard Walker named in place of John Taylor and fit again Michael Kyd in for Martin Butler. Butler joined Tom Youngs and Adam Wilde on the bench, and former U's star Carlo Corazzin was named in the Cobblers line-up. The weather was mild and breezy, and the pitch looked in excellent shape despite the battering it took before Christmas, a credit to Ian Darler and his staff.

United got off to a scrappy start and only managed a couple of half chances before going behind. After six minutes an Alex Russell cross was cleared to David Preece, the player-coach played the ball back to Russell who fed Michael Kyd but the rusty striker, making his first start since the end of August, scooped the ball over the bar.

Then in the eleventh minute Russell, with two goals in the last two games, burst forward but his shot was tame and wide. Billy Turley's goalkick was allowed to bounce through United's midfield, Carlo Corazzin sprung a hesitant offside trap and while the defence appealed in vain for handball the former U's hero rounded Arjan Van Heusden and scored. (Ironically, just five minutes later his former Abbey partner Steve Butler was putting Peterborough ahead in Bournemouth.)

United's next half-chance came in the fifteenth minute when Ian Ashbee received the ball from Preece and curled a shot wide from 25 yards. But three minutes later United were level and it was thanks to a first goal from Richard Walker (right). In a crowded box the Aston Villa loanee met a cross from Russell with a looping header, and Billy Turley fumbled the ball over his head to gift the 21-year-old his first senior goal.

The rest of the half was fairly uneventful with both sides having just one chance to go ahead. After 27 minutes Jamie Campbell met an Alex Russell corner with a header but the ball was cleared off the line by Warner with the 'keeper nowhere. Then in the 45th minute Corazzin had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside. (Half-time 1-1)

Martin Butler replaced David Preece at the beginning of the second half, and took up a midfield role. United's only chance of note before the goals explosion came when Ben Chenery burst forward down the right and fired in a shot that clipped the top of the North Stand on the way into the car park! United were playing neat football and producing some good moves that broke down on the edge of the area, but it was the more direct Northampton side that took the lead again in the 56th minute after a goalmouth scramble.

John Frain's corner was met by Ian Sampson whose header was clawed away by Van Heusden, but the rebound was headed back by Chris Freestone and crossed the line before Russell could clear. However United were level again almost from the re-start as Jamie Campbell met another Russell cross and headed it back across goal, the ball was flicked on by Michael Kyd and Trevor Benjamin out-jumped his defender and beat Turley with a powerful header.

Then three minutes later United took the lead for the first time in the tie. Ben Chenery got forward again to send in a cross, Benjamin stole in at the far post and thundered a header against the bar from a narrow angle, it bounced down onto the line and Martin Butler was on hand to tap the ball home from close range. It was Butler's first goal since mid-November and one he has thoroughly deserved for his non-stop effort.

After that Northampton pressed forward and threw everything at United, yielding a chance in the 67th minute when Chris Freestone ran across the face of goal but scuffed his shot wide. Then in the 73rd minute his shot was intercepted by stand-in captain Andy Duncan who slammed the ball into the side-netting and caused a few hearts to skip a beat or two as it bounced off the hoardings.

The pace of the game finally exhausted Michael Kyd after 73 minutes and the shattered striker was replaced by Tom Youngs, but he had tried hard and looked full of running before his long lay-off caught up with him, and he left the pitch to an ovation. Youngs caught the eye too, doing a good job of harrying the Cobblers defence and forcing Turley to rush his clearances.

Trevor Benjamin had been terrorising the Cobblers since his goal and after 84 minutes he could have added United's fourth. His shot was blocked and flew up into the air, and the big striker followed up with a header that was saved. Two minutes after that Lee Howey put the ball through to Corazzin near the penalty spot, and the Canadian was poised to shoot when Ben Chenery brilliantly nicked the ball off his toe. United's final chance of note came with two minutes left when Russell's effort from 20 yards flew high over the bar.

Reporter Mark Johnson said choosing his Man of the Match was a close-run thing after Trevor Benjamin had an impressive game, but Ben Chenery was his choice for "An assured game at right back".

The draw for the next round takes place at 9.15am on Thursday and the details will be shown here as soon as possible afterwards, but Peterborough will not be in the hat as Steve Butler's goal was wiped out by five from Bournemouth. The third round games will take place on the 19th or 20th January.

Talking to Mark Johnson for Clubcall (0891 555885) after the game, Roy McFarland declared himself happier with the second half performance than the first, and said he was pleased for Martin Butler after the striker had broken his goal drought. He was also very pleased for Trevor Benjamin who had looked "a different player" after his goal, and revealed that there had been some confusion over the third goal with Benjamin trying to claim it, but that in the dressing room they had decided it was Butler's goal.