United continue their great start to the season with a hard-fought victory.

THE strength of Trevor Benjamin and sharpness of Martin Butler hauled Cambridge United out of trouble and on to their best start in seven years.

Strangely sluggish, they were a goal down after only six minutes against Swansea City, and fortunate not to be trailing by more as they sleep-walked through the opening quarter of an hour. The flowing football which floored first division Watford was rarely glimpsed, but they gradually worked they way into the game.

Little was being created in attack, though, and it was not surprising that Butler's 32nd minute equaliser plus his winner eight minutes from time came from set-pieces. It left manager Roy McFarland with one quality to praise -- resilience -- but as he pointed out, it is probably one of the most important in any successful campaign.

As at Torquay a week earlier, United showed they had the strength and determination in the side to keep a game close enough to snatch away from their opponents with a moment or two of excellence, even when generally playing below par.

The Welsh side were allowed free reign in that poor opening and Ryan Casey's goal was sandwiched by a header from Julian Alsop that bounced off the crossbar, and a shot from the tall striker which Arjan Van Heusden did well to push away for a corner.

United's defence was shocked into tightening up, but Swansea were not pushed back until Benjamin started to worry them with his surging runs down the left flank. The huge teenager is a much more confident player these days. He would never had the nerve last season to wear bright amber boots. And he forced Swansea to commit two players to try to stop him as he continually tried to battle his way through.

It was from a foul on him, albeit somewhat questionable, that Alex Russell produced another fine free kick to set up Butler's first goal.

The most significant spell of the game was just before the break when United hit the woodwork twice within three minutes. Butler's persistence forced a mix-up between keeper and defender, giving him the chance of a shot which struck the post, then a Benjamin cross was headed against his own crossbar by defender Michael Howard.

Those scares must have weighed on Swansea's mind during the interval, and after the break they had the look of a side who had settled for a draw. Unfortunately United, with Michael Kyd having one of those days when he was either running into trouble or hitting poor crosses, were no more menacing up front.

The game was drifting away as the afternoon sun took its toll, and when headers from Russell and Swansea's Steve Watkin flew hopelessly high a dreary draw looked inevitable. Enter super-sub John Taylor who, according to McFarland, said: "Send me on and I'll win you the game." Knowing the wily old warhorse, he probably says that every match, but this time he was as good as his word. His flick-on from Marc Joseph's throw-in found Butler again too quick in anticipation and action for the Welsh defence.

On a day when both of their sides played only in patches, the managers off-set criticism with praise for their opponents.

McFarland said: "I told John Hollins Swansea will probably be up there at the end of the season. They are a sharp, strong side, and we hope to be there with them."

TWO-GOAL Martin Butler hit a late winner as the spirited Swans threw away an early lead and eventually lost all three points.

Swansea were forced to make one change from the side which drew with Norwich in midweek, Dave O'Gorman failing a late fitness test on knee and ankle problems triggered by the Worthington Cup tie. His place went to Republic of Ireland youth international Ryan Casey. There was two significant changes on the beach where Steve Jones was named for the first time for a senior game since breaking his leg in a Division Three play-off semi-final against Chester City 15 months ago. Teenage winger Stuart Roberts, who set up Tuesday's equaliser for Nick Cusack was also on the bench for the first time in a league game.

Cambridge, 4-1 winners when the teams met in April, retained the side which beat Watford in the first-leg of the Worthington Cup. They included Martin Butler and Michael Kyd who each scored two goals in that Swansea defeat towards the end of last season.

Swansea got off to a flying start with a goal from CASEY after just six minutes. The forward-thinking midfielder collected a pass from Steve Watkin and outsprinted the Cambridge defence in a 20-yard run before driving home a low shot which beat keeper Van Heusden. Casey's first goal for the club could not have come at a better time as Swansea continued to build on the promise shown in the season's opening two matches.

Swansea made their intentions clear as early as the third minute when Howard and Casey swapped passes then saw Alsop climb above the defence at the far post and go close with a looping header. Cambridge responded when Ashbee unleashed a flashing drive from 25 yards only to see it fly past Freestone's far post.

The Alsop-Casey combination almost produced a second goal as Swansea continued to carry the game to their startled opponents. Casey created the move and Alsop saw his chance quickly to foree a save from Van Heusden. Swansea continued to look the more inventive going forward and, when Watkin released Price, Campbell turned the full-back's low cross behind for a corner. Cambridge had so far been kept at arm's length by a disciplined Swansea defence but, when Kyd took the ball on his chest and attempted to get past Howard, there were loud appeals for obstruction which were ignored by the referee.

Slowly but surely Cambridge were beginning to get their act together and, when Russell pumped a free-kick into the Swansea penalty area, Campbell came bursting through with a header which forced a save from Freestone. As the pressure on the Swansea defence mounted first Wanless and then Russell had long range shots which had Freestone scurrying to cover both posts.

Swansea, however, continued to build patiently and incisively and there were more problems for the Cambridge defence following a throw-in from Price. Alsop's back-header was hurried1y cleared with Watkin ready to pounce and, when Watkin set up his strike partner for another opening, Alsop blasted the ball high and wide. As Swansea pushed forward in search of a second goal Watkin clearly thought that he was through on goal but had not heard the referee's whistle and was cautioned for continuing the move.

Having aheady shown signs of their attackiag ability Cambridge pulled level on 32 minutes with a cleverly worked free-kick after Benjamin had conned the referee into giving away a free-kick. Russell took it quickly and BUTLER just got the scoring touch ahead of Cusack at the near post. Swansea could easily bave conceded a second goal before the break. After Freestone and Smith had been involved in a mix-up on the edge of the area Butler struck the foot of the post.

But the Swansea defence had an even bigger escape shortly after when Benjamin's shot looked to be heading for the net only for Howard to courageously head the ball against the underside of the bar and watch it bounce out to a relieved Freestone.

Half-time: CAMBRIDGE UTD 1, SWANSEA CITY 1

When Bound failed to clear under pressure Kyd hit a full blooded shot which Freestone pushed up into the air befote gathering. Kyd was then in the thick of the action again at the other end when he picked up a caution after holding on to the ball at a free-kick. The referee's notebook came out again when Thomas and Duncan were locked in an untidy mess with the ball hidden benea1h Thomas's body. When the Swansea midfielder got to bis feet he was pushed over by Ashbee but, while Thomas and Duncan were cautioned, the full-back escaped.

Swansea made the first change on 66 minutes when they pulled off Casey and sent on Roberts for his league debut. With little to chose between the sides in a second half which lacked the sparkle and creativity of the opening 45 minutes the slightest mistake was clearly going to prove costly. When Watkin turned Joseph after latching onto a pass from Coates the striker wasted no time in lining up a shot but proceeded only to lift his 25-yard effort over the bar. At the other end Kyd laid back a pass into the path of Chenery and Russell headed over from 10 yards.

Swansea are usually a big physical team, today was no exception. Their centre forward must have been a good 6feet 7inch giant, the central defenders not much shorter. For 20 minutes Swansea kept trying the long ball over the top and being caught offside, so they seemed to stop that tactic! Swansea made good use of their height, in the second minute they headed a chance past the post. Almost immediately Ashbee shot just past from long range.

On 5 minutes Swansea scored. United allowed the player to run through the middle unchallenged, Van Heusden came off his line as the player got into the penalty area, but was unable to completely stop a powerful shot going underneath his body. The defenders were looking at each other doing nothing. The Swansea fans started singing "1-nil to the sheepshaggers".

A minute later Van Heusden saved a dipping shot just before it crept in under the crossbar, then had to be quick to save a deflected shot. As at Torquay we struggled to really get going in the first half an hour, sporadic chances were made, a Campbell header from a free kick was saved, a Benjamin low driven cross bounced off the keeper, Kyd had a shot charged down and Wanless put one just past, as did Russell. At this point the referee did all he could to help Swansea, first a throw- in near our corner flag went their way, then he gave them two quick corners when they should have been goal kicks, which started a chant about Referees and Anchors!

We equalised on 30 minutes, a low cross from a free kick just outside the righthand side of their penalty area was touched in at the near post by Butler.

We finished the half playing the better football, a good chance came when their keeper and defender got in a muddle leaving the ball for Butler, his shot hit the side netting with the goal unguarded. Their keeper made a couple of saves, shots were charged down or went just past.

We started the second half in similar manner, Kyd shooting straight at the keeper from the edge of the area after a clearance had been charged down, a miss with a header which was repeated by Russell heading a few inches wide. Kyd had more of the ball in the second half, but usually lost it while trying to beat 2 or 3 defenders when a short pass would have been better. He was substituted for Taylor with 20 minutes left. Swansea had the odd chance, the best being a near post header just past the post.

With Taylor and Benjamin at the front balls in the air began to cause Swansea more problems, from a long throw Taylor got a nod on to Butler who scored from close in. Shaggy headed over from a corner, and Butler had a long shot just past. In the final minute as Swansea pushed for an equaliser, Van Heusden saved easily at his near post.

After the first half hour Joseph coped well with the big centre forward, although there were less crosses to deal with. Duncan looked cool and assured, Chenery did OK. Campbell made a few good tackles, but the rest of his play was poor, either giving the ball away or putting it into touch when under no pressure.

In midfield Wanless seemed to start too far forward, we did better when he dropped back a little to help Ashbee who also didn't have a very good game. Russell looked solid, playing the ball around nicely and tackling too. At the front Butler was lively when he got the ball on the ground and did a lot of running, but got nothing in the air but gets my MoM for the two goals. Benjamin looked good, using his strength to get past defenders, although when running at a defender with the ball he sometimes gets a little confused and leaves the ball behind!

A deserved win, especially good with a couple of players having off days.

Ratings:
Van Heusden 7, Chenery 6, Ashbee 5, Duncan 7, Joseph 6, Campbell 4, Wanless 6, Benjamin 7, Butler 8, Kyd 5, Taylor 6, Russell 7.

I tried to take some pictures (with permission thanks to Steve), but trying to hold a camera steady while celebrating a goal meant a picture of the back of the chap in fronts head, and one of the terrace floor! Trying to write notes at the same time doesn't help either.

Roy McFarland had the luxury of naming an unnamed side for today's visit of Swansea City but there was a change from the referee named in the programme, with Tony Bates the man in charge today. Swansea's notable absence for this match, which kicked off in glorious sunshine, was striker Tony Bird who completed a three match ban.

The game got off to a bright start with several early chances, although most went Swansea's way and Van Heusden had to save well from Alsop. At the other end a 25 yard Ashbee drive fizzed just wide, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the sixth minute. United's back-line was caught somewhat flat-footed when Watkin put Republic of Ireland youth international Casey through, and the young midfielder outpaced the defence over 20 yards before slotting powerfully home from 15 yards.

Swansea continued to have the best of the game as United failed to look threatening and were restricted mainly to long-range chances from Wanless and Russell, although Campbell met a Russell free kick with a header that Freestone had to save. But against the run of play United equalised in the 32nd minute. Trevor Benjamin was tackled and went down like the proverbial "ton of bricks", earning a controversial free kick. It was quickly taken by Alex Russell and Martin Butler beat the Swansea defence to the ball to level from six yards.

United were much better after scoring and threatened to take the lead, particularly when a Kyd shot hit the crossbar and rebounded off a defender into the goalmouth. There were appeals for a goal but the ball had clearly not crossed the line. Butler also hit a post and a Benjamin chance was headed off the bar. The U's went on to force about five corners in as many minutes and the seige on Swansea's goalmouth was only broken by the half-time whistle. (Half-time 1-1)

After an exciting first half the second 45 minutes was a big disappointment. There was a lack of real action and with both teams fading the game looked set to peter out as a draw. Andy Duncan and Swansea's Martin Thomas were both booked in the 58th minute after a contretemps, and both sides made a change mid-way through the half, with Swansea swapping Roberts for Casey before Watkins fired over the bar and Kyd and Chenery combined to set up Russell, who headed over from ten yards. United player-coach John Taylor then replaced Michael Kyd, who had a disappointing game.

Martin Butler - brace

In the 82nd minute it was Taylor's presence that made all the difference. A long throw by Marc Joseph was precisely flicked on by Taylor, Martin Butler met the ball with a diving header and although Freestone got a hand to the ball he couldn't stop it. It was Butler's third goal of the season and he nearly had a hat-trick minutes later when his shot was just wide.