Nationwide League Division Two - Saturday 11th September, 1999

            RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 11/09/99

     AFC Bournemouth   3-1   Reading                6,007
        Bristol City   0-0   Millwall               9,893
    Cambridge United   2-2   Brentford              4,234
        Chesterfield   0-2   Stoke City             4,285
   Colchester United   0-1   Scunthorpe United      3,280
          Luton Town   3-1   Wrexham                5,121
        Notts County   2-1   Blackpool              5,512
     Oldham Athletic   2-0   Bury                   6,541
       Oxford United   1-2   Gillingham             5,418
   Preston North End   0-0   Burnley               13,708
      Wigan Athletic   3-1   Bristol Rovers         6,927
   Wycombe Wanderers   3-1   Cardiff City           4,982
   

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Terry Wilby's match report Last week against Stoke the reason for the poor start could have been the early kick-off, against Brentford there could be no excuse for such a bad start. In the first minute they broke down our left which came to nothing, the warning to start doing something was not heeded and after only 6 minutes Brentford scored. A long ball through the middle was not dealt with by either Joseph but mainly Duncan who let it run through to our 'keeper, but also let a forward run on too, and toe poke the ball past the advancing Van Heusden from just outside our penalty area and into an unguarded net. On 14 minutes a similar ball ran through to Van Heusden, in attempting to grab the ball just inside his area in front of a forward his momentum carried his body outside the area although he was trying to hold the ball behind himself. As the ball was the wrong side for the linesman I wonder if he assumed the ball was out because the body was out. van Heusden was not too happy, and then got involved in a bit of a shoving game with a Brentford player who wanted the ball. Van Heusden was booked for not giving the ball back, the chants from the crowd were for the Brentford player to be sent off. The free kick was laid square a couple of yards for an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net to make the score 0-2. Things got worse when Wilson went off with an injury to be replaced by Cassidy after 20 minutes. We finally managed a shot soon after from Butler, but it was deflected for a corner which came to nothing. Mustoe got himself booked for a poor challenge on 26 minutes. The referee was seeing some of the more blatant pushes by Brentford players, but missed a defender jumping at Mustoe with no intention of getting the ball. In the last 10 minutes of the half we managed to stem the tide and push forward with some attacking intent, Ashbee shot over, Taylor hit the side netting from a tight angle, and Wanless headed over after a good cross from Cassidy. Just before the end we got a free kick which Taylor tried to take quickly, but the ball was stopped by a defender a couple of yards away. The referee made the kick be taken again, but there was no booking for the player who stopped the kick being taken! So 0-2 at half time, their 'keeper had practically nothing to do. A certain Dave Brown made a statement to the effect that if we got a point from the game he'd stand on the terrace for a week! It seemed a fairly safe bet. Ashbee was our best player of the first half, Mustoe and Butler trying hard too but getting no-where. The rest were sadly wanting. Brentford seemed able to regain possession just by being near one of our players, the physical aspect of their game stopping us doing anything. Roy had obviously lit a lot of fires under backsides as we started the second half with a totally different attitude. In the first minute Cassidy started to run at defenders, the ball fell to Benjamin who shot across goal. In the next minute Taylor crossed, Benjamin headed back across goal towards Butler who was clearly pushed as he went for the ball, giving us a penalty which was converted easily by Butler. The #6 was booked I think for arguing . We tried to throw away the good start by not concentrating at the back, Van Heusden saving with his feet. We continued pushing forward, Benjamin in particular looking lively, holding the ball then turning to shoot or pass across their penalty area. After 27 minutes Brentford got a penalty. From what I saw their player jumped at Cassidy when the ball was past them both. however justice was done when Van Heusden dived to his left to push the ball away to keep the score at 1-2. Kyd came on for Taylor, soon after Youngs for Wanless, with Butler moving to a midfield position. Kyd again showed his lack of knowing where the goal is on 34 minutes, from a Benjamin head back across the goal Kyd sidefooted the ball over the open goal from 3 yards. A minute later we equalised, another Benjamin shot on the turn got deflected which put it into the top corner, well away from the 'keeper. We almost got all 3 points, Duncan headed a corner over, Mustoe had a shot saved and Benjamin shot over. Another game of two halves, Benjamin the pick of our players in the second half. Cassidy showed some good touches and decent crosses, but faded in the last 15 minutes. If only we had the money to spend on players that Brentford have. Apparently Mr. Noades is looking forward to playing Luton because they "play football". If that is the case then they will get taken apart because that's what happened when we started to play. If you happen to go to the ground during the week say hello to Dave Brown! Terry Wilby.

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Graham Nurse's match report "We nearly derailed his train set" On a hot, muggy afternoon we want to win this one. Brentford - Ron Noades's train set - are the side that stopped United winning the championship last season, doubling them in matches they dominated. They need to start winning, with only one win in six matches in the new division. The task today could not be more difficult, Brentford unbeaten in 20 League games. After last week's Defensive House of Horrors and inability to hit the target, McFarland makes two changes from choice. Michael Kyd, who at the moment despite working hard couldn't hit a barn door with the bazooka, is replaced by John Taylor and at centre-back Marc Joseph comes in for Scott Eustace. There is always the danger that Joseph will go into switch-off mode, but he does bring some pace to a defence that can't keep a clean sheet. Last weekend McFarland wanted to start with John Taylor but could not when Taylor suffered one of his migraine attacks but today there is no problem. Brentford owner Ron Noades appointed himself manager when he waved his wallet to buy the club and presumably will want to play up front if they get an injury crisis. He has three coaches on his train set and they have engineered defeats for Oldham and Burnley, with away draws at Bury and Bristol Rovers. At the back they have useful Icelandic international Herman Hreidarsson but fortunately the quick striker Lloyd Owusu fails a pre match fitness test on an ankle injury. There is bad news from the United camp. Alex Russell has got injured in training so Neil Mustoe is called up to replace him. The scouts are here in force again, including Terry Fenwick, the ex-QPR and England centre back who has been here so many times they ought to make him buy a season ticket. Brentford kick off attacking the Newmarket Road end. Winger Derek Bryan immediately skips by Marc Joseph but Ben Chenery provides the cover. In the first Cambridge move Butler and Taylor produce slick one touches but Paul Wanless cannot hit the target. Right from the start there are signs that the Cambridge defence is going to struggle. Van Heusden has to race out to belt into the Habbin when Andy Duncan's short back pass almost lets in lively skinhead Scott Partridge. After 6 minutes United press the self-destruct button again. A back pass from Ian Ashbee could be whacked clear by Marc Joseph but for some inexplicable reason he lets it run on. Van Heusden comes too late, leaving Andy Scott with the simple task of waltzing round him and rolling it into the empty net. 1-0 to Brentford courtesy of more Comic Cuts defending. "Butler, Butler what's the score?" ask the Brentford fans as their side looks quicker and more skilful than Cambridge. After using his pace to stop the lively winger Bryan, more dithering it from Marc Joseph on 16 minutes forces Van Heusden to come and collect, the linesman deciding he has handled it outside the area. Van Heusden refuses to give up the ball, Andy Scott tries to wrestle it away and both of them get booked for handbags at five paces. The free kick is laid sideways to Paul Evans who hits a screamer past Van Heusden's left-hand. 2-0. Excuse me, but what happened to the wall? At this rate Brentford could get 6. The referee today is Andy Hall, at 30 the youngest ref on the Football League list. I am not impressed. The game is already full of little niggles and some of the decisions make you suck in your lips, although he is right when Neil Mustoe is lectured for putting himself about too much. Already Clive Wilson is limping badly with what appears to be a hamstring injury. There are ironic cheers as Cambridge are given a free-kick 10 yards outside the Brentford area, and before this can be taken, Jamie Cassidy replaces Wilson. Martin Butler's shot has its weight taken off by the wall and it is easy for keeper Andy Woodman. That was Alex Russell range. Already United are missing his skills and invention. Brentford come on the break , so quick and so mobile, but the lively Partridge wastes the chance. A half chance goes as Benjamin is picked out on the right hand side of the box but Woodman races out to block at his feet. Brentford work fast and work hard, with Gavin Mahon - sporting a hair cut that looks like an old-fashioned kitchen mop - winning a corner. On 27 minutes Paul Evans dives over Mustoe. Mustoe is furious at what he thinks is cheating but still gets booked, Van Heusden saving Scott's shot from the free kick. Two minutes Mustoe wins the first Cambridge corner but when this comes over, the header from Paul Wanless is well over the top. Brentford get ten men in the box from the next corner they have to defend and again it is easy for them. They also break very quickly. Butler is getting little joy out of the giant centre-back Darren Powell in the air, but if they get it on the deck Powell may struggle. Van Heusden comes to the edge of the area to collect another lob by Bryan as the crowd groan nervously at another ball aimed towards the centre backs. Brentford for the first 38 minutes have looked a yard faster and two yards sharper than Cambridge United but unexpectedly Cambridge burst into life. Benjamin is brought down by Quinn, and at last they get on the shooting boots, although Ian Ashbee's effort is well over the bar. With five minutes to go to half time John Taylor's left foot volley is wide of the junction of post and bar but Brentford are being pushed back at last. The best Cambridge move so far involves Cassidy, Ashbee and Taylor before Paul Wanless shoots over from around the penalty spot. The ref has inexplicably allows Anderson to block a quick free kick from Taylor from one yard away without booking him and to more groans Ashbee wastes the free kick. As the minutes tick away Jamie Cassidy crosses and Martin Butler throws himself full length, just unable to get a touch. John Taylor, at the far post, sends the ball into the allotments. More groans but fortunately for Shaggy the flag is already up against Martin Butler. Perhaps thinking that United have not given Brentford enough of a lead, Ashbee tries another semi- suicidal back pass which Van Heusden has to hastily fly kick into the Habbin. It is Brentford's only effort of the last 7 minutes, the real pressure coming from Cambridge with Trevor Benjamin off target with an injury time header. 2-0 to Brentford but the half has ended with signs that Cambridge have looked at the mountain they have to climb and have at least got their boots on after being second best in every department for the first 40 minutes. The second half starts with some great work by Jamie Cassidy with Benjamin winning the corner. Cambridge have come out fired up and when Benjamin drives the ball into the 6 yard box, Taylor is inches away from converting. On 48 minutes Benjamin powerfully heads John Taylor's cross back into the danger area. Hreidarsson pushes Martin Butler flat and the referee instantly points to the spot. He books the Icelandic defender for his protesting, then Butler steps up to rifle the perfect penalty high to the keeper's left. 1-2 but straight from the kick-off Cambridge are nearly caught out again with that ball over the top, Van Heusden racing out to make a fine block to prevent a third Brentford goal. With Cambridge applying the pressure Andy Woodman infuriates the crowd with blatant time wasting at every goal kick - something that was always his trademark at Northampton. We've seen this all before but this inexperienced ref has plainly hasn't come across Woodman and his tactics, just letting him get on with it. Brentford are beginning to look shaky and Woodman slices a dropkick into the Habbin. "Dodgy keeper! Dodgy keeper!" Just before the hour Ian Ashbee crosses to the near post and a back header from Trevor Benjamin goes right through everybody. Woodman slows it down again, placing the ball down every time as if it was made of eggshells. Roy McFarland is furious. The referee stops the game but instead of telling Woodman to cut out the gamesmanship, he goes to the Cambridge dugout to lecture McFarland, much to everyone's disgust. Still Cambridge press. Trevor Benjamin cannot force the ball home as a mass of bodies keep him out in a melee. He has really come to life in the second half and with Jamie Cassidy getting forward, the defence is finding it difficult to cope with the overlapping fullback and Benjamin as well. The crowd are getting incensed by inept officialdom, howling again as Anderson appears to control the ball with his arm on the blind side of the ref inside the penalty area but right in front of the linesman. One can only assume that the linesman has suddenly been struck blind. The ref stokes up the frustration on the pitch and the terraces when he lectures Martin Butler for an innocuous foul on Powell. There is worse to come. With 20 minutes to go Cambridge United are denied a blatant penalty. Robert Quinn plainly punches a right wing cross clear as he climbs for it in the area but the referee misses it, and we can't expect a linesman who has been consistently getting it wrong to get it right this time. Three minutes later the referee gives a penalty at the other end as Jamie Cassidy pushes Partridge over when the deep cross is thrown in from the left wing. There is no disputing that it is a penalty. It is as obvious as the one at the other end that he did not give. Evans steps up to hammer a low shot towards the bottom corner but Van Heusden throws himself down to his left to make a blinding save. From the corner Warner is only just off target. 16 minutes from time Michael Kyd replaces John Taylor "Kyddo! Kyddo!" chant the Newmarket Road end, perhaps more in hope than expectation with his finishing of late. Having said that, he has the pace and ability to make things happen. All kinds of tackles are now flying in as players of both sides take advantage of the dubious officials. 11 minutes to go and Tommy Youngs replaces Paul Wanless who looks as if he is about to be sick on the pitch. As usual Wanless has run himself in the ground in the heat. What an example for anyone not prepared to shed blood in the Black and Abbey cause. The guy is a Super Hero. A minute later Trevor Benjamin fires the ball into the goalmouth where Michael Kyd manages to blaze over from a yard out. Call off the search. Miss of the Season. Make a note of that one as it will be a long time before we miss one easier than that. But almost immediately Cambridge finally get their reward. Another break sends the ball out to the left. Trevor Benjamin cuts in and sees his hammered shot deflected past the keeper for the equaliser. Now the crowd are roaring Cambridge on towards what could be an astonishing victory after that first half display. "You're not singing any more" the Brentford supporters are informed. Trevor Benjamin wins another corner, but Andy Duncan heads it over from again inside the six-yard box. He slams his head from side to side in frustration. Brentford win a rare corner, but when this comes over Martin Butler - are all people - is the man diving in bravely to head clear. Twice in the closing stages Jamie Cassidy's crosses are nearly the Route to the Loot. The first is misdirected and lands on the roof of the net, but the second dips and is only just tipped over by Woodman. The referee signals to his assistant to hold up the 4 extra minutes board. What a farce. Woodman himself must have wasted those all by himself. Still Cambridge look for the winner, but Mustoe's shot is weak. In injury time Scott is well off target with a header at one end and at the other Trevor Benjamin, named quite rightly as Man of the Match, sends the ball into the Newmarket Road terrace with the last shot of the game. Roy McFarland says Cambridge United could have nicked the game. He concedes that poor defending has again let his side down and that he is well aware of the need for a powerful centre-back who can head the ball clear. He says that before the season started he tried to sign Sodje, the Macclesfield centre-back but could not match his financial demands. He thinks that for the first goal perhaps the keeper should have come but complains that "we haven't dealt with the first ball". McFarland also admits that Paul Wanless has been struggling with illness all week and has done very well to get through today's game. Neil Mustoe has been nursed along and then out of the blue, Alex Russell picked up an injury in training on Friday and will be out for two to three weeks. When told that Ron Noades has reportedly said "I'm glad we are going to Luton next week where they play football". McFarland is scathing but his final comments are to pay tribute to the crowd. "Trevor's shot for the goal ... I think the crowd at the Newmarket Road end sucked that into the net" he says. It hasn't been another of those frustrating games for Cambridge United supporters. For 40 minutes United struggled to come to terms with the very mobile Brentford side and handed them two goals by woeful defending. For the next 50 minutes, Brentford have been made to look very ordinary indeed, so perhaps it is not surprising that Ron Noades was insulting and said things will be better when he takes his toy to Luton next week. Cambridge United remain in 19th position, but if we can only stop giving away these daft goals, we would be a match for most sides in this division.

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Robert Trand's match report (Brentford supporter) Brentford threw another 3 points away after surrendering a two goal lead. The wind probably had a large part to play, because the Bees never started the 2nd half, and were made to pay with two "revenge" goals from the home team. The Bees were reportedly without Rowlands before the game, but he was fit enough to start. Quinn came back into defence in place of the injured Danny Boxall. Brentford started the game brightly and soon found themselves with the lead after 6 minutes. Gavin Mahon headed a ball through the middle of the park. Andy Scott beat the offside trap and it was a race between the keeper and Scott to see who could win the ball first. Scott won, and coolly slotted the ball under the keeper and into the back of the net. It was a goal, but the atmosphere around the ground was more like that of a friendly than a competitive game. It was somewhat subdued. Brentford extended the lead again, after dominating the opening period of the game. There was confusion among the Bees fans to how the 2nd goal was assisted. The Bees battled for a ball in midfield and a Cambridge defender passed the ball back to the keeper. This is where reports differ. Some fans think it was a free kick for the keeper handling the ball outside of the area, but my initial thoughts were that the keeper had picked up the back pass. Andy Scott was in close contention so the keeper had to do something. The referee awarded a free kick to the Bees, but the keeper was unhappy about releasing the ball, and eventually Andy Scott and Van Heusden were both booked. The free kick was laid off to Paul Evans who was a yard or so wide of the initial incident. He struck the ball beautifully, it beat the wall and crashed past the despondent dive of the keeper. It was another excellent goal, and one which was warranted after the Bees superb opening. "Champions" rang around the Abbey Stadium taunting the home fans, and songs about the Bees target Butler were also in full flow! The second goal came on 17 minutes. A long wind assisted kick by Andy Woodman fell to the feet of Scott Partridge but the awkward bounce of his knee prevented the player from having a shooting opportunity. Cambridge United started getting back into the game around 38 minutes and they should have had a goal for their efforts. The Bees defence coped very well with Butler and Benjamin up until this point. Cambridge were insisting playing long balls to the right side of defence to where Benjamin was waiting. Cambridge United nearly did score when a ball from the right found Paul Wanless on the edge of the area. He had time and space, but he was slightly wrong footed and he could only shoot over the bar. Cambridge also had another opportunity to score, when another ball from the right beat the Bees defence. Butler, in the centre of the area, dived at full stretch and missed. However, veteran John Taylor was also on the back post and his lunge could only convert the ball wide of the target. Fortunately his embarrassment was saved as the offside flag was up. On 40 minutes Cambridge had a golden opportunity to pull the scores back to 2-1. The Bees lost out to a header but were appealing for an offside on Taylor, who watched the header fall to his feet. He controlled the ball and then sent a wicked shot just high and wide of the Bees target. He should have done better, as the linesmen did not award the free kick for offside, despite the cries of both Brentford players and fans. Two minutes later Taylor again missed a decent chance. A corner this time from the left was powerfully met by Trevor Benjamin. His header was aimed at the near post. Taylor was just inside the 6 yard box stuck out a boot to try and convert the chance, but his connection was not good enough and it just missed the post. The half time whistle blew and the Bees fans enjoyed their half time break with a luxury of a two goal lead. I made the not so then bold prediction of a 3 or 4-0 victory after the 2nd goal had hit the net, but Cambridge United to tell the truth should have pulled a goal back before half time had come. At the time we did not know that the wind was so strong, and I presumed that Woody who announced to the fans that he wanted to score had improved his kicking immensely. I was wrong! Cambridge started the 2nd half, just like the way they finished the first. Lots of crosses were played into the box, and then on 48 minutes they were awarded a penalty. I can not really comment on the action, as my view was partially blocked. I believe that the referee awarded the spot kick because he thought that Hermann had pulled down his man. Powell was furious and Paul Evans had to drag him away. Hermann was booked. Bees target Martin Butler stepped up, and confidently dispatched the ball past Woodman. Cambridge were back in the game. Brentford went immediately on the attack. A through ball found the feet of Partridge, he continued his run towards goal, before the keeper tightened the angle. The nippy striker, finally managed to shoot, but Van Heusden did well and saved. On 65 minutes they went close to equalising. Benjamin received the ball, he went left, then right, and the Bees defence couldn't stop him. After what seemed an age a shot came in from him, but it was blocked before it was smashed clear of danger. On 72 minutes the Bees were awarded a penalty for themselves. This was to be a rare attack, as Mahon crossed deep into the Cambridge box. Partridge watching the ball, was bundled over by Jamie Cassidy, who had replaced veteran Clive Wilson early in the game. The was a chance to kill the game for once and for all. Up stepped Paul Evans. Knowing that he had missed his last penalty against Dulwich Hamlet, I wasn't extremely confident that he would dispatch this one. He stepped up, and passed the ball to the right side of the net. It was at a good height for the keeper to save, but the big Dutchman still did well to push the ball wide for a corner. From the corner by Andy Scott the ball fell to the feet of Phillip Warner. Warner who was a substitute for Derek Bryan, who had done well in the first 30 minutes, saw the goal and struck a tremendous shot towards the goal. Yeesssssss. We all shouted as we thought he had saved Evo's blushes. Agony was to follow as it flew just wide of the target. Brentford were lucky to survive in the 80th minute. Benjamin picked up the ball and smashed it across goal. A Cambridge player was at the back post all alone, and made contact with the ball. Unfortunately for him, he was not quick enough to control his shot because of the immense pace of the cross from "Bruno". The Bees had just 10 minutes to survive and gain their first away win of the season. Unfortunately Cambridge equalised just two minutes later. Bruno again picked up a pass from midfield and ran directly at goal. He decided to shoot, and then watched as it took a wicked deflection off the unfortunate Robert Quinn. Disaster had struck. Would the Bees be able to hold onto the single point now? To be fair, Cambridge deserved the goal because they had been the team that had dominated the 2nd half. I think the strong winds which prevented Woody meeting the half way line with his goal kicks was a big factor, but if Cambridge could do it the last 10 minutes of the first half, why couldn't we? On 88 minutes Cambridge should have won it. A corner from the left was met by a U's player, and his free header went powerfully over the bar. The player should have done better, but it would have been hard justice on the Bees supporters. The Bees also went close to scoring in about the 5th minute of injury time. Partridge won possession in the middle of the park before passing to his right. Gavin Mahon picked up possession, progressed before sending a cross into the Cambridge box. Andy Scott had no support, and his header flew over, to the relief of the home team. That was to be the last of the action. In summary Brentford were a class act for first 40 minutes of the game, the remaining 50 were dominated by the home side. Cambridge did create the better chances in reflection throughout the 90 minutes. The strong winds were certainly a factor though. The first half saw Woody reach the other area without letting the ball bounce from his wind assisted goal kick. He could barely kick the ball straight and reach the half way line in the 2nd half. To throw away a 2 goal advantage is very disappointing, but there are some good things to come from this game. 21 games unbeaten is 1, and the 2nd is the performance of Phillip Warner. He looked very dangerous with his forward runs. Our next game is against Luton Town, if we keep our current pattern of draw away, win at home that suits me!! Thanks to Trandy for permission to reproduce his report on U's Net

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Soccernet match report Cambridge battled back for a deserved 2-2 draw at home to Brentford after a nightmare start against Brentford in which they handed the Bees two goals in the first 17 minutes. The defence stood and watched a backpass go through them after only six minutes, goalkeeper Arjan van Heusden had to race out of his area but was beaten by Andy Scott who rolled the ball into the empty net. A similar attack by Scott 11 minutes later was stopped by the keeper, but he handled the ball outside his area, conceding a free kick which Paul Evans hammered into the net from 20 yards. Cambridge got back into the game just before the break when they pushed Brentford back into their own box, maintaining the pressure from the restart and getting their reward in the 47th minute when Martin Butler converted a penalty after being fouled by Hermann Hreidarsson. Against the run of play Brentford won a penalty in the 72nd minute when Jamie Cassidy fouled Scott Partridge, but Evans' spot kick was brilliantly saved by the keeper. Cambridge threw everything into the search for the equaliser and got it nine minutes from time when Trevor Benjamin cut in from the left to hit a shot deflected off the foot of Robert Quinn and flew over the goalkeeper. Report © Soccernet

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Cambridge Evening News match report Keep your mind on the job WATCHING Cambridge United at the Abbey these days is not so much an entertainment or sporting experience as a beginner's course in psychiatry. "Look closely and you will observe the classic characteristics of compulsive repetitive disorder. The subject becomes inextricably immersed in a pattern of behaviour which can lead to frustration, worry and often damaging consequences"-- such as relegation. Manager Roy McFarland said he and his coaches concentrated "on the psychological side" in the build-up to the latest clash with arch-rivals Brentford. But since his suggested solution after a roller-coaster 2-2 draw is unlikely to be approved by the League -- "starting the match with the second half" -- there is clearly much more work to be done on the couch. The match was an uncanny, uncomfortable action-replay of so many at the Abbey this season and during the previous campaign: Dream time for the first 20 minutes, the gift of a couple of soft and silly goals, slow recovery leading to the usual near-misses before the break, an early second-half score, then dominance while playing an upbeat aggressive game towards the Corona Kop. At that point, United's fortunes usually depend on whether their opponents crack under pressure, or break away to sneak a killer goal. This time a bruising battle produced both scenarios. The match could have gone either way, but finished all-square because of one brilliant save and quite a lot of feeble finishing. United, two goals down after just 17 minutes, clambered back via a Martin Butler penalty in the 48th, and were pounding away at a Bees' box as packed, busy and seemingly chaotic as any hive. But, as against Stoke, the target was as safe from damage as any barn door most of the time -- John Taylor, who had sliced wide just before the break, doing it again after Butler put him in at the far post, and Michael Kyd somehow skying a shot over the bar from six yards. A dozen recorded goal attempts, only three of them accurate, and in the midst of it all, the breakaway which should have given Brentford what would have been an undeserved win on overall play. Jamie Cassidy, who generally did a good job at left back after taking over from injured Clive Wilson midway through the first half, was penalised for a 72nd minute push on Scott Partridge. Paul Evans hit a good low spot kick to the far post, but Arjan Van Heusden dived full length to palm the ball away for a corner. Brentford could do no more than hang on after that, until nine minutes from time when United were rewarded particularly for the sterling work of Neil Mustoe, grafting away in place of injured Alex Russell, and the persistence of Benjamin. At times it took three men to stop him as he bustled and barrelled his way into the box, something not lost on Brentford boss Ron Noades. The Bees owner-manager, who made an unsuccessful bid for Butler a month ago was asked, pointedly, if he was impressed by his performance, but answered: "Butler did all right, he'll chase all day, but Benjamin was the real danger. He's so strong. We badly missed Danny Boxall who marked him last season." United missed Phil Chapple, Steve Fallon, and Terry Eades, centre-backs who marked people properly and dominated strikers in days gone by. Marc Joseph and Andy Duncan did improve as the game went on, but their early mistakes were so bad and basic McFarland was prompted to reveal he had made an unsuccessful bid during pre-season for Macclesfield's Efetobar Sodje. A combative encounter ended with a touching, and rare these days, moment of sportsmanship when Evans, who had been tussling like a terrier with Mustoe all afternoon, was first to the United midfielder to help him when he went down with cramp. But the post-match interview quickly revived the enmity. Noades said: "I'm looking forward to going to Luton next week. We'll be able to play some football." To which McFarland retorted: "You have to take what Ron Noades says with a pinch of salt. You don't know if he is talking as a manager or club owner. He might like to look at his team's goals, which came from long balls." Report © Cambridge Newspapers Ltd

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© Andrea Thrussell and the respective authors, 1999