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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 changing the result.
The team only have a short wait for a chance to put things right, with the Coca-Cola Cup return against Hereford looming on Tuesday and a 3-0 first leg deficit to overturn. David Preece will hopefully be available for his debut and Tommy Taylor will be stepping up his efforts to sign striker Scott McGleish in an effort to sharpen up the attack.
United line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Granville, Wanless (Beall 79), Thompson, Marc Joseph, Raynor, Hyde, Turner, Barnwell, Richards (Wilde 54)
Sub not used: Vowden.
"We're almost there," said boss Tommy Taylor. "There is a payment from Derby due to go into David's pension fund on Monday, and once that goes through he will be able to play."
Taylor expects Preece to make an immediate impact and says if the player were available, "He could go into the team tomorrow, he knows exactly what he's got to do."
Defender Jody Craddock is still sidelined with the hamstring trouble that has prevented him from playing so far this season, but with the team picking up points Taylor says he is happy to let him recover at the right pace rather than force him back too soon.
United face three home games in the next seven days and the same team which battled for a draw at Lincoln in midweek is likely to be on duty tomorrow, when we face Cardiff City at home. Taylor is happy with the team performances to date: "Everybody's done really well, the team picks itself at the moment."
However, he is known to be concerned about the lack of fire-power and is pursuing his interest in Peterboring's Scott McGleish, a striker who spent some time with the squad in pre-season before being recalled by Barry Fry.
"We were winning the high balls and the knock downs," he said, "but we didn't use our possession well enough and gave the ball away too often. David would have been able to make better use of the ball to build up the attacks. We are unbeaten in the League after three matches, two of which were away, but I see it as two points thrown away at Lincoln. Scott Barrett didn't face a dangerous shot apart from the penalty that gave them their equaliser. A John Beck team is always going to put you under pressure in the box at times, but we handled it pretty well. Now we need to get David in and that should happen this week. Derby boss Jim Smith has said the settlement of his contract should be sorted out today."
In a game marred by a 20 man brawl in the second half, Turner put the U's ahead in the 8th minute. Jamie Barnwell put in some good work on the left and crossed for Lincoln's ex-United goalkeeper John Vaughan to fumble badly and allow Turner to slot home.
The Imps levelled the unattractive contest in the 56th minute when the referee decided Danny Granville had fouled another ex-U, Gareth Ainsworth and awarded a penalty. Tony Dennis (yet another ex-U) stepped up to score from the spot, despite Scott Barrett guessing correctly which way he would shoot. After that United pressed forward looking for the winner but Lincoln came closest in the generous injury time.
United line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Granville, Thompson, Wanless, Marc Joseph, Raynor, Hyde, Turner, Barnwell, Richards.
Subs not used: Brazil, Park, Palmer.
"Billy will be on the bench," said Taylor. "Lincoln don't bother much with midfield and this game would probably pass him by."
Former United manager John Beck is back in charge of Lincoln after being taken away for questioning by Customs and Excise officers just prior to kick-off on Saturday.
"John Beck's team play a hard, direct and physical game," Taylor added. "We have to be ready to stand up to that or they will bully us out of it."
With that in mind rugged striker Robbie Turner, who came on as a substitute against Chester on Saturday, will start this game. Fellow forward Tony Richards makes his first appearance of the season after serving a three-match ban for being sent off against Leyton Orient last season.
Gary Shelton put Chester ahead after just six minutes with a 20-yard drive and the home side forced several good saves from Scott Barrett as they looked for a second goal while the U's struggled to get out of their own half.
United's equaliser came in the 32nd minute from an awful mix-up in the City defence. In a classic case of "After you, Claude" two defenders each assumed that the long ball from United defence would be dealt with by the other, allowing Micah Hyde to nip between them and fire home from an acute angle.
A crowd of 1,923 - the lowest attendance at the Deva Stadium for two seasons - saw Chester's good build-up play promise much but yield nothing further, while in the second half Cambridge were more positive and Paul Raynor saw the ball saved from his feet while substitute Scott Barrett had a strike headed off the line 25 minutes from time.
United line-up: t.b.a.
Former United manager John Beck was arrested by Customs and Excise officers yesterday as he was on the pitch with his Lincoln players as they warmed up for their match against Leyton Orient. He is apparently being questioned in connection with an alleged illicit whisky racket.
"I had a chat with John Taylor yesterday," Taylor said. "We'd talked in the summer after Luton boss Lennie Lawrence told me John could go on a free transfer. At that time, though, John said he felt he had something to prove and wanted to stay at Luton, where he still has a year on his contract. Since then he's been up to Lincoln, but after a medical John Beck would only offer him a short-term contract. The one match I saw John play recently wasn't too impressive, although he is a recognised goalscorer. It's something I'm keeping in mind while I check out the situation with Scott McLeish at Peterborough."
This is a new managerial strategy for Big Fat Barry Fry, isn't it? Is he really considering selling a striker? I thought he collected them ;-)
"We needed everybody to roll up their sleeves when we went a goal down," said manager Tommy Taylor, "but two or three didn't."
Paul Wanless was the only change to the weekend's team, deputising for Micah Hyde who was resting a slight injury.
United line-up: Barrett, Granville, Matt Joseph, Vowden, Thompson, Marc Joseph, Raynor, Beall, Wanless, Brazil, Barnwell.
"The message is that if people do their job and we win, they stay in," stressed Taylor. "We should have David Preece with us by Saturday, but he will also have to wait if we do the business tonight."
United squad: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Thompson, Marc Joseph, Vowden, Granville, Hyde, Beall, Raynor, Brazil, Barnwell. Subs (from): Wanless, Palmer, Pack, Howes, Hayes.
United line-up: Barrett, Granville, Matt Joseph, Vowden, Thompson, Marc Joseph, Raynor, Beall, Hyde, Brazil, Barnwell.
"We see it as a very important signing for the club," said chairman Reg Smart. "I've had a couple of long talks with David and I believe he could do what Dave Stringer did for us. He helped make Steve Fallon and Steve Spriggs some of the best players we've ever had, and I know David is impressed already with Micah Hyde and Billy Beall."
Preece was expected to complete his negotiations with current club Derby today. The midfielder has a year left on his contract with the Premiership new boys and he has been discussing a compensation package. Once these negotiations are concluded Preece will be free to make his debut in United colours.
"It looks like going ahead at last," said manager Tommy Taylor. "I'm just hoping it goes through quickly, but at this stage we can't say exactly when David will be available."
Looking forward to tomorrow's match, summer signing Gary Brazil and Jamie Barnwell-Edinboro will be the new partnership up front against a Barnet side who finished with eight wins out of 11 last season. But Taylor is unlikely to be able to field his first choice defence due to the uncertainty about the fitness of centre-backs Jody Craddock and Paul Wanless. But whoever plays at the back faces a testing time against Shaun Devine, one of the most highly-rated forwards in the lower divisions.
United squad: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Marc Joseph, Thompson, Craddock, Wanless, Palmer, Granville, Beall, Preece, Hyde, Barnwell, Brazil, Raynor, Vowden, Pack, Hayes, Howes.
Tommy Taylor spoke to Preece earlier this summer but the talks hit a stumbling block and the deal appeared to be dead. But the former England-B man has been training with the squad this week and it now appears that the manager will get the man he has wanted all summer.
Apparently the board and manager have now agreed to meet all of his demands and Preece will join the club purely as a player, and not in the player/coach role envisaged earlier. A League Cup-winner in 1988 with Luton, Preece has agreed a big drop down the salary scale to join United because of the potential he sees around him. The 33-year-old will now go back to Derby to agree details with them and if they co-operate he may be available for Saturday's match against Barnet.
Tommy Taylor has already said the season's opener will be a tough test and with several experienced players injured or suspended he would no doubt dearly love to be able to call on Preece. As talks progressed this week Preece had his boots sent down from Derby, and training sessions centred around him and his play-making skills.
The midfielder featured in Derby's successful push for the Premiership last season and his skills and experience are what United have been crying out for in the centre of the field. United fans everywhere will be delighted if the deal is successfully completed and he graces our immaculate pitch in the amber and black.
Striker Jamie Barnwell provided more good news when he returned to training a week earlier than expected. He was injured in the friendly against Charlton last week, but is now expected to be fit for Saturday.
"The directors are talking it over," said Taylor. "We are down to one sticking point and I'm just hoping we can get over it."
The former England B international is available on a free transfer from Derby but the 'sticking point' is believed to be the length of contract, with Preece seeking the security of a three year deal at the age of 33. Rams boss Jim Smith recently described Preece as his best midfielder in the promotion season, but he doubted whether he would be able to be as effective in the Premiership at this late stage of his career.
Taylor sees Preece, a Luton stalwart for 10 years, as a key player in his generally very young squad and this week's training has centred around his play-making skills. Preece would join purely in a playing capacity, contrary to earlier expectations that he would take up a player/coach role, and Taylor is very keen to secure his signature before the opening match on Saturday.
United also look set to sign a 25-year-old Spanish midfielder who played against Cambridge City at the weekend. Xavier San Miguel Jaureguizar - who fortunately for radio reporters does not insist on the use of his last name - is from the Baracaldo club in the Bilbao area. United are working to get international clearance to sign him before Saturday's third division opener against Barnet.
One player who will not be joining is former U's striker John Taylor, a star of our success of the early 90s. The manager watched him play for Luton in a friendly on Tuesday and they had talks afterwards, but the manager decided not to proceed. Taylor is currently on the fringes of the first team at Kenilworth Road.
As Tommy Taylor finalises the squad for this season trialists Ken Oliver and Alex Dyer have been told they will not be offered terms. Both featured in several pre-season games.
Finally, last night our youth team played a friendly against Histon. They gave a spirited performance although Histon kept their pre-season record intact with a 2-0 victory. The United team featured eight first year YTS apprentices. Histon were 2-0 up within 14 minutes and laid siege to the United goal, hitting the bar twice and bringing two brilliant saves from Shaun Marshall in a torrid first half.
But Histon manager Graham Daniels commented: "They have got a super youth set-up and you could see the spirit in their second half performance. They countered our strengths well in the second half, but we have to learn to cope with teams doing that. We have got a whole new squad and it was a good test for us."
Key men Colin Vowden, Jamie Barnwell-Edinboro, Jody Craddock and Paul Wanless were all injured and missed Friday night's game at Watford and there is mixed news from the treatment room. Vowden and Craddock are back in light training with Wanless due to recommence this week and they could all feature on Saturday. Jamie Barnwell looks highly doubtful at the moment.
Tony Richards starts a three match suspension and Robbie Turner serves the final game of a suspension so they will definitely miss out.
Ricky Martin has been officially installed as the club's new youth development officer. The 20-year-old Norfolk-based coach will work with 23-year-old youth team manager David Batch in what will be the youngest youth set-up in League football.
News from the club suggests that there will be at least one more new signing before Saturday, to add to new arrivals Paul Wanless, Davey Williamson and Gary Brazil, the latter having signed a one month contract. The suggestions are that it could be a former U's player - which adds fuel to the rumours that goalkeeper John Vaughan may be about to rejoin the club. He was released by Preston North End at the end of last season after finding it hard to settle in the north, and he was seen at the club earlier in the summer. United currently have only one senior goalkeeper at the club after Martin Davies was allowed to leave in the summer.
Finally, other local news hints that former U's 'keeper Jon Sheffield may be about to join a Premiership club from Peterboring and that would generate a cash windfall for Cambridge United under a sell-on clause.
The chairman of Cambs FA, Bill Coad, said action would be taken. "We very much regret that Cambridge United, by their team selection, devalued the competition," he said. "We shall be seeking an explanation from them and certain assurances regarding their future participation in the competition."
The cup leaves United's boardroom for the first time in five years.
Ben Mynott has kindly supplied a match report and player ratings.
United's line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Granville (Dyer 53), Thompson, Marc Joseph (Pack 87), Palmer, Paul Buckle (Oliver 84), Hyde (Hayes 59), Brazil (Moores 70), Raynor (Richards 59), Beall.
A second U's side comprising youths and reserves travelled to Ampthill tonight and as soon as I have news it will be available here.
In addition, centre-forward Robbie Turner is having treatment for back trouble following Tuesday's friendly at Clacton and Colin Vowden also missed last night's game. United's preparations are further complicated with Turner and forward Tony Richards carrying suspensions from last season.
However, Gary Brazil, the 33 year old former Fulham forward, yesterday signed a one month contract which makes him eligible for the first five games of the new season. If he impresses in that time he is sure to be offered a permanent deal. Brazil's other clubs include Sheffield United, Preston North End and Newcastle United.
The Londoners, who reached the first division play-offs last season, equalised on the stroke of half-time when Bradley Allen connected with a free kick. They had missed a host of early chances while United gave them too much room to play their polished passing game.
Tommy Taylor made the by-now-expected rash of substitutions and the second half suffered accordingly. Substitutes Paul de Luca and Tony Richards both had good chances to add to the score but the match ended 1-1 in front of a crowd of 1,045.
United's starting line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Granville, Marc Joseph, Thompson, Palmer, Oliver, Hyde, Barnwell, Brazil, Beall.
In the second injury blow to hit the squad in three days, Jody Craddock was ruled out of tonight's clash after straining a hamstring in Monday's match against Blackburn. Craddock and fellow centre-half Paul Wanless will miss the rest of the pre-season programme and face a battle to be fit for the opening Nationwide League fixture against Barnet a week on Saturday.
Tommy Taylor commented, "If the treatment goes according to schedule both players should be able to train again in a week. This is the last thing we wanted at this stage, but the hope is the injuries have happened early enough to clear up in time."
Craddock and Wanless were replaced in the heart of the defence tonight by Lee Palmer and youngster Marc Joseph.
Greek winger George Donis and the speedy Stewart Ripley rampaged down the wings and gave the U's defence plenty to think about, but they stuck to their task. Jody Craddock and Lee Palmer - who came on for the injured Paul Wanless - were particularly effective. Rovers were clearly missing the departed Alan Shearer and Mike Newell, and the injured Chris Sutton as they were equally wasteful in attack during the first half.
Tommy Taylor made half a dozen changes at half-time, including replacing the pace of Jamie Barnwell, who had a good first half, with the aerial ability of Robbie Turner. Turner was put on to provide a challenge to the impressive Colin Hendry but it was a losing battle against the commanding Scot.
Within three minutes of the restart the weaker U's side were behind when Scottish international Kevin Gallagher snapped up a lucky rebound off Dave Thompson. Tim Sherwood made it 2-0 with a 62nd minute volley, and despite the grit of Paul Raynor being introduced for Hyde in the 71st minute, Lars Bohinen wrapped it up when he was allowed an unchallenged canter from the middle of the pitch to score nine minutes from the end. Meanwhile Rovers' goalkeeper Shay Given, deputising for the injured Tim Flowers, had hardly a save to make at the other end.
United's starting line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Alex Dyer, Craddock, Thompson, Vowden, Oliver, Beall, Barnwell, Brazil, Hyde.
Rovers manager Ray Harford was pleased with his side's performance and thought they had played better in the first half. "Overall, we got what we were looking for, a good performance and a very professional one."
United's disappointment was compounded by an injury to key defender Paul Wanless. After only fifteen minutes he twisted his right ankle and could hardly put any weight on the foot as he was helped from the pitch.
Wanless has been an integral part of the three-man central defence and he was one of only five players due to play the 90 minutes, as Tommy Taylor planned to give most of the squad a run out. He now looks extremely doubtful for the remaining pre-season matches and the third division opener against Barnet a week on Saturday.
Tommy Taylor was disappointed with features of last night's performance and will be taking some of the first team squad to Clacton for tonight's friendly. He had originally intended on taking a team of reserves, but feels that there are players who will benefit from another run out.
Finally, from one of Blackburn's local newspapers: "I dare say that a trip to the Abbey for a third round FA Cup encounter in mid-winter might just be a different proposition."
"He is a great target man - a small Steve Butler," enthused Taylor. "And he scores a goal every 2 1/2 games."
Taylor plans to field only one trialist in the starting line-up as he tests his professionals against Premiership giants Blackburn Rovers at the Abbey tonight. Ken Oliver will keep his midfield berth but the United boss is warning the players and supporters not to assume it is the likely side to start the League campaign.
"We have a few friendlies left and a couple of things to look at," he said. "I have a fair idea of my best side by now, but nobody should make the mistake of thinking he is guaranteed a place. Most of the first-team squad are likely to get a run out at some stage tonight."
Oliver, who was on the books of both Hartlepool and Aston Villa last season, holds on to his midfield place after some impressive displays alongside Micah Hyde and Billy Beall, but there will be a switch in the strike force, with Jamie Barnwell taking over from Robbie Turner as the partner for Gary Brazil.
"I expect Blackburn to use most of their squad," said Taylor, "and after them losing to Colchester, we should be in for quite a game."
Missing from the former Champions' line-up will be striker Chris Sutton, who injured an ankle in Saturday's surprise 2-1 defeat, and England goalkeeper Tim Flowers is very doubtful after having stitches over an eye after a clash in the same match. New signing, Greek international George Donis staked his claim for a place by scoring their goal.
United select from: Barrett, Marc Joseph, Thompson, Craddock, Wanless, Granville, Palmer, Matt Joseph, Hyde, Oliver, Beall, Richards, Barnwell, Brazil, Turner, Pack.
Blackburn Rovers from: Given, Berry, Hendry, Coleman, Kenna, Ripley, McKinley, Flitcroft, Gudmundsson, Fenton, Warhurst, Bohinen, Gallacher, Donis, Croft, Marker, Wilcox, Sherwood.
The scorer for the Essex side was a familiar name to U's: David Crown, who still holds the record for most goals scored in a season by a United player, snatched a late consolation goal.
In another friendly Monday's opponents Blackburn Rovers showed that it may take time to get over the loss of their figurehead and scoring sensation Alan Shearer. Without Shearer, the injured Chris Sutton and Mike Newell (recently sold to Birmingham City) they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Colchester.
Chris Moores, the former West Ham and Torquay man who scored United's goal, Roscoe Hipperson and Billy Hudson all did enough to merit another look, but three others were discarded. Matt Joseph and Dave Thompson both made welcome reappearances following injury.
After their recent hectic schedule the squad have been given a day off today, but they return to action tomorrow at Billericay, kick-off 3pm. All the first team squad are expected to play, except injured Colin Vowden who is expected to be out for a fortnight.
Commercial director Roger Hunt confirmed details of United's deal with Patrick Sportswear to supply match and training kit for the next three seasons. He said, "This is a substantial six-figure deal, which demonstrates Patrick's commitment to Cambridge United. We have been negotiating for some time and this is one of the best deals in the division."