Cambridge United: (4-3-3) Van Heusden, Chenery, Ashbee (Preece 85'), Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Benjamin, Butler (Mustoe 55'), Kyd (Taylor 46'), Russell.

Hartlepool: Hollund, Knowles, Ingram (Di Lella 45'), Barron, Lee, Beech, Miller, Midgley (Irvine 90'), McDonald, Howard (Pemberton 90'), Clark.
Booked: Ingram 38' (dissent), Miller 40' (foul), Di Lella 60' (foul).

Ref: S G Bennett (Orpington).

Shots On Target: Cambridge 4, Hartlepool 5
Corners: Cambridge 6, Hartlepool 3

Hartlepool included Craig Midgley, who had a trial spell at The Abbey last October, while Gustavo Di Lella was on their bench. The Argentinian came off the bench in the away fixture last season to score two late goals in a 3-3 draw and deny United the win.

The expectations before this game were that United would put in a different performance to their lack-lustre display at Rotherham last weekend and get back to the performances that saw us undefeated in the first four games. Unfortunately the error-strewn first half was as grey as the sky overhead with a shocking lack of goalmouth action and unimpressive displays all over the pitch. The brightest thing on show was debatably Arjan Van Heusden's new bright red strip!

Michael Kyd put a stumbling header wide after ten minutes, and Paul Wanless headed just over from a 21st minute corner, while at the other end Van Heusden had to wait 35 minutes to make his first save. Even the referee got in on the act by booking the wrong Hartlepool player for a foul, penalising Tommy Miller when the offence seemed to be committed by Darren Knowles. For Pools Denny Ingram was also booked for dissent. Half-time came as a relief for the spectators and the players trudged off to the expectation of roastings from both managers. (0-0)

John Taylor replaced Michael Kyd at half-time and Martin Butler was withdrawn ten minutes later to be replaced by Neil Mustoe. For 'Pools Di Lella also came on at half-time, for Denny Ingram. Play improved just slightly after the break with Trevor Benjamin looking the man most likely to change things, and he went close a couple of times. On 61 minutes he saw a header go wide, and two minutes later he met a Chenery cross with an acrobatic looping header but the ball was tipped over by Norwegian keeper Martin Hollund. Ten minutes later, in United's best chance of the game, a ball from Ian Ashbee released John Taylor but the unmarked striker stubbed his toe into the ground as he seemed to attempt a chip and the ball went straight at Hollund.

After 80 minutes of tedium the game exploded into life in the last ten minutes, although unfortunately it was United who eventually conceded a goal. Hartlepool were making fewer mistakes than the U's and on 81 minutes Van Heusden fumbled a corner from Ian Clark and in the confusion Steven Howard bundled the ball over the line. Two minutes later United came agonisingly close to equalising when Benjamin's deep cross was met at the far post by Taylor, but Hollund reached behind himself to pull off an amazing save.

Roy McFarland used his final substitute David Preece in the 85th minute, replacing Ian Ashbee, and with two minutes of normal time remaining it looked as though Jamie Campbell had ensured a point when he headed home an Alex Russell corner, his third League goal for United.

Five minutes of injury time were indicated and as the game came to a surprisingly exciting conclusion Hartlepool scored again in the 93rd minute. From Clark's free-kick Graeme Lee's far post header snatched the points for the visitors, sending their 200 fans into ecstacy and plunging The Abbey faithful into gloom. The injury time stretched to seven minutes, at the end of which Hartlepool used their final two substitutes, Irvine and Pemberton replacing Midgley and Howard.

In reporter Mark Johnson's words, it was an afternoon when you would struggle to pick a man of the match for Cambridge United, with Trevor Benjamin possibly the pick of the bunch for his efforts and for making fewer mistakes than his teammates. But too many in the amber and black shirts had nightmares and it comes too soon after another indifferent display. Roy McFarland may now seriously consider changes for the trip to Chester, who won today at Southend, and there are obviously concerns over Michael Kyd's persistent knee injury. News after the match suggested that his knee has swollen up again and he will require further treatment, making him very doubtful for Tuesday night's game at Chester.

Unfortunately, with a small and very youthful squad, the manager has limited options and may be considering them earlier in the season than he envisaged.

United are to issue priority vouchers for the forthcoming League match against Scarborough. With interest in the Club growing once more, Secretary Steve Greenall said, "We want to be sure that the regular supporters are looked after, in the event of Cup success. Season ticket holders are already guaranteed a ticket for any big cup games we might have, so we are giving those regulars who don't have Season Tickets a similar priority chance."

Meanwhile, students and senior citizens must now have a concession book in order to gain admission at reduced prices for matches at The Abbey. The books, which cost just £5, have been selling steadily, and the Club is confident that the scheme will prove a winner.

Kyd is still troubled by a knee injury and has had fluid drained from his knee, but he is expected to make his place in the side. Top-scorer Butler, who signed a two year extension to his contract on Monday, has lost half a stone this week after suffering food-poisoning, while Mustoe has a back injury.

The manager told the Cambridge Evening News, "They are all making progress, but we won't know until tomorrow if they are going to make it, although I would think at least two of the three should be all right."

Butler was laid low after a meal on Saturday night and told the CEN, "I was suffering so badly I had to get an injection from the doctor to stop me vomiting. I was really ill for a day or two. I lost about eight pounds and I don't have any weight to lose. It's left me feeling a bit weak, but I'm building up again, taking a lot of vitamins, and I'm sure I'll be all right for the Hartlepool match."

Hartlepool recorded their first win of the season at promotion hopefuls Carlisle last weekend, but suffered a Worthington Cup exit at Bolton's hands in mid-week. Meanwhile United will be seeking to get back on track after the disappointing defeat at leaders Rotherham.

"We know we didn't do ourselves justice last week," McFarland commented. "We have to make up for that, and try to put together a good run of home results. That's the basis of most promotion seasons."

Hartlepool manager Mick Tait has added four players to his midweek squad as Pools come looking for their second away win of the season. Tait said, "We've had them watched and they are playing very well but we have played well ourselves without getting the results. If we show the same commitment though the results will come."

The first leg at Hillsborough will be played on Wednesday 16th September, kick-off 7.45pm. Ticket prices are Adults £14 / Concessions £10.

The second leg at the Abbey Stadium is on Tuesday 22nd September 1998, normal kick-off time of 7.45pm. The usual ticket prices will apply but season ticket holders are reminded that they must pay for admission to all cup games this season.

While the supporters celebrate the prospect of a Premiership giant-killing, the professionals have been giving their reactions to last night's Worthington Cup draw.

Manager Roy McFarland is quoted on the Nationwide web site saying, "Having completed one giant-killing against a First Division side, we hope to take it one stage further with a Premiership scalp."

In the Cambridge Evening News he added: "The way the draw has come out suits us very well. We go to Hillsborough for the first leg, and if we can play as well as we did against Watford in the last round we can keep ourselves in touch. That would bring Wednesday back to the Abbey in front of a good crowd in a tremendous atmosphere and I don't think they will fancy that unless they have a good lead."

Sheffield Wednesday memorably visited The Abbey for the fifth round FA Cup tie in February 1991, when they were drubbed 4-0. Player-coach John Taylor was one of the goalscorers that day and he told the CEN, "Let's hope that memory is still with them. That was a marvellous day. Wednesday hardly got a kick."

McFarland gave an early assessment of the task ahead when he said, "Wednesday are in a bit of a transition, with manager Danny Wilson coming in from Barnsley to take over from Ron Atkinson. They've lost quite a few players, while Wim Jonk is the only one to come in. That also might help us, although we'll have to be prepared to reach the level we did against Watford. The Italian Paolo Di Canio is their star and those sort of players can win matches when they are on form."

Both clubs will receive a 45% share of gate money and, with his Financial Controller hat on, Steve Greenall commented: "It's a big bonus because we don't budget for getting past the first round of cup competitions, although it's impossible to say at this stage how much it could mean for us."

Meanwhile Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Wilson laughingly responded to suggestions that he must be happy with the draw: "Ask me in three weeks time, then I'll tell you if I'm happy. When the game comes along we'll give them as much respect as we would a Premiership team. They will be out for a scalp as we saw in pre-season games, so it will be tough.

United are away in the first leg, to be played at Hillsborough on Tuesday 15th September (to be confirmed), and the Owls visit The Abbey on Tuesday 22nd September. U's fans will remember fondly the 4-0 drubbing the U's handed out to Wednesday in the FA Cup fifth round in February 1991, with goals from Dion Dublin (2), Lee Philpott and John Taylor.

Meanwhile the final first round second leg games took place this evening and Peterboring were beaten 2-0 at Reading's new ground. The Royals' second goal was scored by midfielder Grant Brebner, who spent a month on loan at The Abbey earlier this year and scored on his United debut.

Cambridge United: (4-3-3) Van Heusden, Chenery, Ashbee (Mustoe 78'), Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Benjamin (Taylor 67'), Butler, Kyd, Russell (Preece 85').
Booked: Campbell 43' (foul), Benjamin 63' (foul).

Rotherham: Pollitt, Ingledow, Beech, Warner, Scott, Dillon, Garner, Thompson, White, Glover, Roscoe (Hurst 13').
Subs not used: Martindale, Sedgewick.

Ref: Mark Cowburn (Blackpool).

Shots On Target: Cambridge 6, Rotherham 9
Corners: Cambridge 4, Rotherham 11

United were unchanged to face the League's top scorers in the sunshine at Millmoor. For Rotherham, Vance Warner was included after recovering from a hamstring strain but central defensive pair Alan Knill and Neil Richardson missed out.

On a pitch which was judged to be the best in the division last season, United started brightly and dominated the opening 15 minutes without really threatening to score, before Rotherham stepped up a gear and took over. Arjan Van Heusden saved with his legs from Jason White but United's only on-target effort of the half came from an Alex Russell corner when defender Andy Duncan headed at the keeper. For the home side White had several good chances and Arjan Van Heusden had to make two excellent saves to deny him. White also had a clearly offside 'goal' disallowed in the 22nd minute.

The U's defence was looking a little flat-footed, possibly suffering the after effects of Tuesday night's efforts, while still managing to resist the Rotherham pressure. The most worrying aspects of the half were the way the defence resorted to the long hoof forward, bypassing midfield, and the way the midfield gave the ball away when they did get possession. At half-time it was clear Roy McFarland would have words to say in an effort to lift his team. Half-time 0-0.

United looked brighter after the break but the standard of play improved little in a dour and unexciting second half, and there were few real chances at either end. Nine minutes in, some good work by Martin Butler set up Michael Kyd but Mike Pollitt did well to tip the ball over. On 67 minutes John Taylor replaced the fired-up Trevor Benjamin, after the big striker had collected several warnings and finally a yellow card.

Five minutes later a long clearance from Pollitt caused confusion in the United defence. First Joseph and Duncan conspired to head the ball into the danger area, then Lee Glover flicked the ball on to White and he scored from the edge of the box, despite Van Heusden getting a hand to the ball.

Neil Mustoe replaced Ian Ashbee on 78 minutes but a minute later another lapse saw the defence caught in possession as they failed to clear the ball after a corner. White saw his shot blocked but fed a low ball through to Lee Glover and last season's top scorer had plenty of time to choose his spot and increase the Millers' lead.

As if that wasn't bad enough a chance to close the gap from the penalty spot in the 85th minute went begging. A corner from late substitute David Preece was nodded on by John Taylor to Michael Kyd who saw his effort hit the post, but as he chased the rebound he was brought down in the box by that man White.

Proof that it wasn't to be United's day came when Martin Butler, who has already struck twice from the spot this season, stepped up to take the kick but saw his effort comfortably blocked by Pollitt. Kyd arrived in the box at speed but hammered the rebound over the bar, denying United the chance to launch a late recovery like Rotherham's last season. It was Pollit's second penalty save in successive games and ensured his side stayed at the top of the table while United slumped to eighth.

Butler - new deal?

U's Net can exclusively reveal that Roy McFarland has opened contract talks with striker Martin Butler, and is keen to thrash out a deal by early next week. The 23-year-old has started the season with a "goal a game" average and speculation about his future has been prompted by the recent reports of scouts flocking to see him.

Butler signed for just £22,500 last August and currently has a contract to the end of June 1999. Under the Bosman ruling he would become a free transfer at the end of the current season.

Club Secretary Steve Greenall said today, "We are well aware of the interest Martin has generated, and it's our job to ensure that we do all we can to keep him with us."

If Butler agrees the new deal it will be great news for all United supporters, especially those who have been worrying about the apparent interest from Premiership sides as well as the effect of the Bosman ruling. It will also be a huge boost to United's promotion hopes after the unbeaten start to the new campaign, including the scalp of first division Watford on Tuesday night.

The U's should be unchanged again tomorrow for the top-of-the-table clash with free-scoring Rotherham. Skipper Paul Wanless is expected to recover from a clash of heads in the first half of Tuesday's game at Watford, a collision that left him dazed for a few minutes and with a bad headache afterwards.

Roy McFarland said, "A lot of players would have been out for a while after something like that, but Paul is a very tough character. He played on in the game, and was feeling a little rough afterwards, but he's coming along all right."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's match he added, "It's going to be a hard game for us. Rotherham have got off to a great start. We haven't produced our best in the League yet, despite winning both games. We'll need to follow on from the Watford match."

While McFarland's squad is injury free, Ronnie Moore's Rotherham could be without three key players. Vance Warner, Alan Knill and Neil Richardson look likely to miss out and Moore said: "It's eleven versus eleven so hopefully we'll get the right result but an unchanged side helps. It should be a tremendous game though as Cambridge are one of the better sides in our league."

McFarland - wants big team

"The real importance of the cup for us is financial," he told the Cambridge Evening News. "We'll try to get as far as we can in it, but we know we will not win it. What we want now is a big team in the next round to make some money. Then, around about February time, when the directors might otherwise say to me, 'we need to sell a player to pay the bills,' we might not have to do that, and we'll be able to keep our team together."

"I think we've got a good chance of an attractive draw, because I believe it is seeded to keep the big clubs apart at this stage."

Looking back on Tuesday night's game he was pleased with the way his reacted to Watford's goal soon after half-time: "They weathered a brief storm and regained control. That was a test of character for a young team.

"We set out to use that youth against Watford to over-run them, and to attack, not sit back and defend the first leg lead. We gave them more problems than they gave us. They always had to think about our front three, while at the back I thought our centre-backs, Andy Duncan and Marc Joseph, were superb. It was probably Marc's best game for the club.

"This is the kind of start to the season I thought we could get after finishing off well in the last campaign. I enjoyed the World Cup in the summer, but I wanted it to finish so that we could get going. I was really looking forward to this season with the side we were putting together."

McFarland has given his reaction to Billy Beall's assertion that he does not want to return to the Abbey Stadium, despite the olive branch offered last week when he was invited to return to training with United.

"We are digging our heels in now," McFarland told the Cambridge Evening News. "It has become a matter of principle. I made the approach to Billy for his sake, because I feel Orient have put him in a very difficult position by their failure to make a reasonable bid.

"We don't need him, I have to say that. We have a 100 per cent record in the third division and have just knocked first division Watford out of the Worthington Cup, without him. It's clear now he will never play for Cambridge United again, and I have to do the best for Cambridge United.

"This club only exists by selling the players it produces, and here another club is virtually trying to take one away from us for next to nothing. Maybe Orient believe we will get fed up with the affair and just let Billy go. Nothing could be further from the truth."

In-form striker Martin Butler says the attention from Premiership scouts does not worry him. After scoring four goals in four games, he has been watched by Charlton's chief scout and Wimbledon boss Joe Kinnear in the last week.

Butler said: "It's nice but I'll keep doing my best for Cambridge and see what happens." (Source: Nationwide site)

The reserves lost their opening Combination League fixture last night as Watford's second string gained some revenge for Tuesday's Cup result with a 4-0 win.

Tommy Taylor has apparently told Leyton Orient fans that they will keep "plugging away" to arrange a deal to take 'Billy' Beall to Brisbane Road. Added to this, the Londoners have today sold Jason Harris to Carlisle for £30,000 and Joe Baker is expected to join Walsall, possibly paving the way for Orient to improve their offer for Beall.

In his interview with Clubcall (0891 555885) Wanless said: "We showed a lot of character tonight and showed what we are capable of. I think we've opened a few eyes."

Of Michel Ngonge's goal early in the second half he admitted, "It did knock us back a bit but we got our shape back. I don't think anyone here tonight could say we didn't deserve to go through."

Wanless believes last night's performance is a clear indicator of how much progress the side has made since last season, adding, "We would have lost that game last year. Hopefully we'll continue this run. It's nice to go through; it was very disappointing to go out last year at West Brom."

The travelling support exceeded 600 last night and Wanless acknowledged the impact the noisy U's had on the result. "The following support tonight was brilliant," he said. "They were as good as a goal."

Meanwhile Watford manager Graham Taylor has praised the quality of United's team and pointed to the three man frontline that caused problems in both legs of the tie. While Martin Butler netted the crucial penalty, it was Trevor Benjamin who was brought down in the box and Michael Kyd pulled the Watford defence this way and that with his tireless running.

Taylor has again tipped the U's for promotion, saying "I thought, over the two legs, Cambridge deserved their victory. If we look back to the first leg, Cambridge were by far the better side, and I think they are a good side generally. They know what they are doing and have forwards who will always cause problems.

"We got up a bit of a head of steam early in the second half but I thought Cambridge handled that very well. We've played them three times in a matter of weeks and not managed to beat them, so it would be silly for me to suggest we were the better side."

Asked what disappointed him most, the Watford boss said he felt his side were unaware of the importance Cambridge placed upon the match: "Our boys have to learn that when a Third Division plays you, you are seen as a scalp. You have to get through the early rounds if you want to be in a position in November to draw one of the big guns," he said. "When I was at Watford before, I was part of a team who did the scalping. And I could sense an upset might be on in this game.

"If Roy McFarland keeps this team fit and they don't lose their way, then Cambridge are a very good bet for promotion. They know what they are doing and you have to be very good to cope with it. They are very effective."

Roy McFarland has now spoken with out of contract midfielder 'Billy' Beall, who called the club this morning. McFarland held out an olive branch to Beall last week, worried that his career had ground to a halt and that he was not getting adequate training. Beall has not been seen at the club since mid-May when he rejected United's third offer of re-engagement.

Beall said today, "I'm staying where I am" - which is presumably at home - "and I don't want to come back to the Abbey Stadium."

He confirmed that he had attended last Saturday's match at Brisbane Road and spoke to the O's chairman Barry Hearn. Beall said that Hearn told him that they were trying to sort the matter out with Cambridge. However since Vice-Chairman Roger Hunt rejected two offers from Hearn last week, nothing has been heard from the London side.

Club Secretary Steve Greenall said, "I don't know how many times we will repeat this but the number one consideration is Cambridge United, and although we sincerely want to see Billy back where he belongs, on a football field, we are not going to let him go without reasonable compensation. That was the position before last night's result at Watford and, if anything, the situation is now even more resolute. The football league has advised us that to keep our compensation rights we must keep paying Billy. That we shall do."

Butler - four goals

Football news service Football365 has gone into 'print' with the recent rumours linking striker Martin Butler with Charlton Athletic. They report the fact that the Addicks' chief scout watched Butler score twice against Swansea on Saturday, but add that Abbey Stadium officials deny the 23-year-old will soon be on his way to the top flight. Butler is currently the leading scorer in Division Three and scored from the spot last night to take his tally to four goals in as many games.

ITV Teletext also reports that Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear was at last night's game watching Butler. Before U's fans start to worry too much about these stories it should be borne in mind that there are a number of scouts at every game, at The Abbey and away from home, and with his current strike-rate Butler is bound to be watched.

United's reserves will be hoping to at least emulate the first team tonight when they are in action at Watford (k.o. 7.30pm). The game is their first in the Avon Insurance Combination League after United resigned from the Capital League.

The team is as follows: Shaun Marshall, Dean Armstrong, Scott Goodwin, John Taylor, Larry McAvoy, Tommy Smith, Neil Mustoe, David Preece, N'Diaye Sada, Tom Youngs, Adam Wilde. Subs: Keith Newby, Mark McCammon, Darren Webb.

Cambridge United: (4-3-3) Van Heusden, Chenery, Ashbee, Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Benjamin, Butler, Kyd, Russell.
Subs not used: Mustoe, Marshall, Taylor, Preece, Youngs.
Booked: Benjamin 22' (foul)

Watford: Chamberlain, Daley (Bazeley 86'), Kennedy (Hazan 89'), Palmer, Millen, Yates, Rosenthal (Smart 87'), Hyde, Ngonge, Easton, Robinson.
Subs not used: Page, Day.
Booked: Daley 32' (foul)

Ref: E Lomas (Manchester)

Shots On Target: Cambridge 4, Watford 3
Corners: Cambridge 12, Watford 6

Cambridge United looked like the first division side in the first half, with the defence looking solid, the midfield working hard and the front three of Butler, Benjamin and Kyd giving the Watford rearguard plenty to worry about. Arjan Van Heusden had nothing to do while at the other end Alex Chamberlain made three or four saves and had to deal with five corners and half a dozen of Marc Joseph's long throws into the danger area. United's best chance came five minutes before the break when Trevor Benjamin was put clean through, but he blasted his shot too close to Chamberlain and the Watford keeper got his knees to the ball.

Despite a late flurry from Watford, as the half finished it was United who looked worth a goal. Half-time 1-1.

Watford kicked-off the second half looking as though they had received a rocket from manager Graham Taylor and equalised three minutes later. Peter Kennedy played a long free-kick into the box and striker Ngonge dived just inside the six yard box to bullet the ball inside the post. The new signing, who scored on his debut on Saturday, was just wide after a run and shot minutes later and also had a shot saved by Van Heusden. Ronnie Rosenthal also squandered a chance in a period of Watford pressure.

The match was tense as it continued, with both sides looking for the deciding goal, but it was United who looked most confident and who regained the upper hand before making the deserved breakthrough. With ten minutes left Trevor Benjamin collected a flick from Butler, hustled his way into the area and was poised to shoot when his heels were clipped by Dean Yates. It was a clear penalty and the in-form Martin Butler stepped up to coolly send Chamberlain the wrong way and the travelling U's into ecstasy, knowing that Watford needed to score twice to win after this priceless away goal.

Only one team looked like scoring during the last ten minutes, despite a flurry of late Watford substitutions, and that was United as they were roared home by more than 600 travelling fans. The closest Watford came to forcing extra time was when Allan Smart lifted the ball over Van Heusden only to see it drop onto the crossbar.

The U's have produced one of the round's "upsets" against the first division side and progress into the second round of this competition for the first time in four years, continuing the best start to a season for seven years.

Watford were out-played and out-battled tonight for all bar the first ten minutes after the break, when they scored and had other chances to go ahead, and our players will be brimming with confidence as they wait to learn their next opponents. The draw for the second round is next Wednesday.

A clearly delighted Roy McFarland said afterwards, "We'll never win this cup but it's the financial gain which is important for us. If we can get a good tie it might mean that a few months later on I don't have to sell a player.

"We came here to score and that's what we did and because of that goal we've gone through."

Manager Roy McFarland has warned that Michael Kyd may miss this evening's Worthington Cup second leg at Vicarage Road. The pacy forward missed part of pre-season and this season's opening game with a knee problem and the manager told the Cambridge Evening News: "Michael had some soreness after Saturday's game against Swansea. He'll take a late fitness test.

"If we do have to make a switch we have more than one option, we could start with John Taylor in place of Michael, or bring in Neil Mustoe and go to 4-4-2."

35-year-old Barrett was United's first choice for three seasons but lost his place just before the start of this season to new signing Arjan Van Heusden. He links up with Kingstonian immediately and joins their squad for the long trip to Yeovil Town on Tuesday night.

Barrett is currently transfer-listed and available on a free transfer.

John Taylor predicted the outcome of Saturday's match, according to Roy McFarland. The manager said afterwards, "It looked like a draw, but John Taylor told me he would get us the winner if I sent him on as substitute and that's what virtually happened, he set up the goal for Martin by flicking on a free kick."

Both managers were complimentary about their opponents after the game, with McFarland saying, "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."

His opposite number Hollins commented, "I was told Cambridge were a very tough side who never know when they are beaten, and that was the way it worked out. Our defending at set-pieces gave them a couple of chances and they punished us. Cambridge are a good side and severely tested our defence."

Roy McFarland has explained the current situation with out-of-contract midfielder 'Billy' Beall to the Cambridge Evening News.

The Cambridge United manager believes the proposed transfer has now broken down completely, saying, "After we rejected Orient's latest offer their chairman Barry Hearn told us 'that's it, there won't be any more.' That doesn't leave Billy in a very good position, so I've contacted him and invited him to return to the Abbey Stadium and fight for a place in our team. He is taking a day or two to think it over.

"Orient were obviously expecting us to cave in and virtually give the player away. That hasn't happened and now I believe the best thing for Billy is to come back and train with us. I rang him and told him I was worried about the position he was in. Orient were quick to offer him a contract but never really got around to proper negotiations with us."

Beall was expected to contact the club today with his decision, but he is thought to be considering giving up football altogether and going to college.

Former U's youth team graduate Gary Rowett has joined first division Birmingham City in a million pound switch from Derby County. 24-year-old Rowett left Cambridge for Everton before joining Derby.

United are enjoying the best start to a season in seven years and Roy McFarland will have a full squad to choose from tomorrow at Vicarage Road. The U's take a 1-0 lead to Watford in the Worthington Cup and McFarland has said, "We don't expect it to be anything but difficult but we won't try to sit back on the one-goal advantage.

"We'll be going all out for more goals to make it harder for them and the lads are really looking forward to it. We are the underdogs and the pressure is all on Watford. The fact that we have a 100% record is a great boost."

Watford have a worry over new striker Michel Ngonge, who scored on his debut on Saturday. The Zaire international was substituted late in the game on Saturday and has had extensive treatment on his ankle. Apparently he was going to try to train today before a final decision is made, while midfielder Richard Johnson also hopes to return after a knee injury. Striker Jason Lee, who played in the first leg at The Abbey, has been linked with a move to second division side Chesterfield over the weekend.

Hornets boss Graham Taylor admitted after Saturday's win that he is still trying out different formations and personnel before finalising his best eleven, and he has described last Tuesday's performance against Cambridge as the worst since he returned to the club.

Racial abuse on the football pitch will become an automatic red-card offence, under a tough new set of measures introduced on Friday which aim to kick racism out of football. The sanctions, recommended by the Football Task Force, will be launched at Leicester City's Filbert Street ground by Home Office Minister Mike O'Brien and referee Uriah Rennie.

Mr O'Brien, the minister with responsibility for racial equality, said: "Racism is evil and has no place in our society. That is why I particularly welcome this initiative and fully support the campaign to "kick racism out of football".

Mr Rennie said there should be zero tolerance of racism in the game, and stressed that all Premiership players now know that they will be sent off for racist abuse on the pitch. The campaign is backed by the FA and has been welcomed by England coach Glenn Hoddle.

Cambridge United: (4-3-3) Van Heusden, Chenery, Ashbee, Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Benjamin, Butler, Kyd (Taylor 69'), Russell.
Subs not used: Mustoe, Preece.
Booked: Kyd 51' (unsporting behaviour), Duncan 58' (unsporting behaviour).

Swansea City: Freestone, Price, Howard, Cusack, Smith, Bound, Casey (Roberts 66'), Thomas, Alsop, Watkin, Coates.
Subs not used: Jones, Jenkins.
Booked: Watkins 30' (ungentlemanly conduct), Thomas 58' (unsporting behaviour), Bound 89' (foul).

Ref: A E Bates (Stoke on Trent)

Shots On Target: Cambridge 5, Swansea 2
Corners: Cambridge 8, Swansea 8

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.

Somehow Mr Bates found six minutes of stoppage time and it made for a nail-biting end to the game before United were assured of the points which took the club up to fourth in the table and maintained the 100% start to the season. Martin Butler currently leads the division's top scorers with his three goals.
[Match reports]

Following today's game Roy McFarland said on the radio that he had "opened the door" for 'Billy' Beall to come back if he wants to, and that the player was going to think about it over the weekend. Beall has been training with Leyton Orient as previously rumoured and watched their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Rotherham this afternoon.

He said today, "Our scouts have told us that John Hollins has built a strong side and we need to keep our concentration high.

"If we can play like we did on Tuesday we can keep the run going, but Swansea will be out for a bit of revenge after us beating them 4-1 at the end of last season."

That win in April saw Martin Butler and Michael Kyd bag a brace apiece. Butler has started this season in sparkling form although Kyd has been hampered by a knee injury, but Swansea have also made a good start with a win over Exeter on the opening day and a 1-1 draw against Norwich City in the Worthington Cup. They will be without striker Tony Bird tomorrow as he serves the final game of a three-match suspension incurred when he was sent off for throwing mud at a linesman at the Abbey in April.

McFarland is too experienced to get carried away with United's promising start this season and warned, "We'll hit a bad patch during the season - every side does - but we have a much better chance of pulling out of it quickly. I said at the time I was surprised we started so well last year but now I'd be disappointed if we didn't follow up these first couple of games with a few good results."

New midfielder Alex Russell was less guarded when he spoke to the CEN though. "I reckon we've got a promotion chance this season," he said. "It was an awful game at Torquay, I'm glad I wasn't watching the first half - although I suppose I was a lot of the time - but we showed in the friendlies we can play a lot better than that. If you can win away without producing your best it's pretty encouraging."

Cambridge United (probable): Van Heusden, Chenery, Joseph, Duncan, Campbell, Russell, Wanless, Ashbee, Kyd, Butler, Benjamin.
Substitutes to be selected from Taylor, Mustoe, Preece, McCammon.

United have rejected an approach from Barry Hearn for "Billy" Beall. Roy McFarland and Steve Greenall revealed the Leyton Orient chairman had made two offers for the out-of-contract midfielder: (a) no fee but a 50% sell-on clause, or (b) £10,000 after he plays 10 games, another £10,000 after 20 games and a final £10,000 after 30 games plus a 20% sell-on.

Beall - in limbo

Greenall, United's Secretary and financial controller, told U's Net, "I was gobsmacked when Barry Hearn told me the revised offers. In my view the first one is ludicrous and the second one doesn't even guarantee the paltry £5,000 offered three months ago. Roger Hunt, acting for Reg Smart who is on holiday, then spoke to Barry Hearn after the initial contact to me, and was equally amazed.

"There had been a suggestion, albeit a little flippant, at a recent League meeting when Hearn offered to "toss" for Beall. We'd have a better chance of getting something that way. Interestingly, the £30,000 after appearances seems to tie in with stories from the Orient web sites, that their supporters club are putting up the money. This whole thing is very unsatisfactory and leaves Billy Beall in complete limbo yet again."

Roy McFarland told the Cambridge Evening News: "It's taken Orient 12 weeks to follow up their initial bid, and there has only been an improvement of £10,000. I recommended to my board we turn down the bid, they have agreed with me, and Orient have been informed. It's back in their court again."

The 20-year-old failed to reappear for pre-season training last month and United have now circulated Beall's name to all second and third division clubs as available for transfer.

John Taylor's young reserve side slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Newmarket Town last night in their final pre-season friendly. Adam Wilde scored for United in what was technically Taylor's first game in charge of the reserves after the 33-year-old took up coaching and scouting duties this summer.

Secretary Steve Greenall this week denied that the recent Deloitte and Touche report into football finances spells bad news for Cambridge United.

Greenall - "cash boost"

"At first glance" he stated, "it appears worrying, with the U's one of twelve clubs whose wage bill outstrips the gate revenue. However, the Club has been in this situation from day one, and the accounts for 1997/8, yet to be published, will show another good financial result, with borrowings again reduced significantly."

Whilst conceding that the Bosman rule poses a threat to selling Clubs like Cambridge, Greenall added, "There will always be a market for Clubs wishing to buy the up-and-coming players from the lower divisions. We have seen, most recently with the sale of Danny Granville to Leeds United, examples of good negotiation when we have transferred players.

"The sell-on clause we had with Chelsea, when Danny joined them little over eighteen months ago, has ensured that almost half the expected trading losses for the season have been met already. Which brings us back to where we started. Progress in the Worthington Cup next Tuesday may mean a plum second round tie, and a cash boost with barely a month of the new season gone."

It is five years since Cambridge got beyond the first round of this competition. Tickets for the second leg, at Watford's Vicarage Road ground, are priced at £14 for adults and £10 for concessions.

Greenall will also be monitoring the progress of Peterborough starlet, Matthew Gill. The youngster was on United's books as a schoolboy, and a deal Greenall secured when Gill chose to join United's biggest rivals will see £10,000 reach the Abbey coffers when Gill plays one more first team game. That may well be Saturday, when 'Boro make the long trip to Cardiff City.

Out-of-contract midfielder Matthew 'Billy' Beall has apparently been told by Leyton Orient that his future will be sorted out this week, although as his proposed transfer has been dragging on since May no-one will too surprised if he is still stuck in limbo on Saturday.

"Trevor Benjamin should have had a penalty a minute after he scored his goal. He was pulled down from behind in the box. It was more clear-cut than the penalty we were awarded at Torquay on Saturday. Watford re-organised and shored up their defence in the second half, but we still created the best chance when their keeper made a great save from Paul Wanless."

He told the Cambridge Evening News, "It was very pleasing after a fairly poor display at Torquay. Watford were good second division champions last season, but we shaped well against them. Now we have to make sure we don't get carried away though, and start believing it's going to be easy against Swansea on Saturday."

McFarland felt the 22nd minute incident when goalscorer Trevor Benjamin was pulled down in the box by Steve Palmer was "a blatant penalty". Watford manager Graham Taylor would only say "I leave those things to the referee"!

Skipper Paul Wanless feels the U's are capable of getting the right result in the second leg at Vicarage Road and said: "It's only half-time, but I've got faith in the lads."

Taylor was very impressed with United last night and has tipped the U's for promotion on the strength of Watford's two recent defeats at the Abbey.

He said, "I thought after our friendly against them that Cambridge were a very good side, and this performance confirms it," he said. "It wasn't a case of a lower division team raising their game for a cup match. It was a good quality display. If they can avoid any bad injuries they have to be a very good bet for promotion from division three."

He told the CEN, "Their front three have a lot of pace and gave us problems, they play some good football and are organised well. Away from home you really need your forwards working hard and unsettling defenders, but we were rarely able to do that. We're a goal down going into the second leg next week, and after playing Cambridge twice every player knows we are going to have to battle now to stay in this competition."

United defender Marc Joseph, whose cross helped to set up the goal, said "We felt very comfortable against them. We were two or three goals better really. We'll enjoy going to Watford next week where all the pressure will be on them."

Gary Johnson, who is now director of Watford's youth academy, also had words of encouragement for the club he used to manage. "It's not as if we have four or five players to bring in next week," he told the CEN. "That was our best team out there tonight."

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire reported that a scout from Norwich City was watching Martin Butler last night, although not too much should be read into this as there are scouts at nearly all games.

John Taylor leads a Cambridge United reserve side into action at Newmarket Town on Thursday evening, kick off 7.30pm. This will be their final pre-season friendly game before their season starts next week away at Watford. Abbey favourite Taylor now has responsibility for the U's second string, who will be competing for the first time in the Avon Insurance Combination League. [Fixture list]

Cambridge United: (4-3-3) Van Heusden, Chenery, Ashbee, Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Benjamin, Butler, Kyd (Taylor 68'), Russell.
Subs not used: Mustoe, Barrett, Preece, McCammon.
Booked: Campbell 27', Chenery 56', Ashbee 67' (all fouls).

Watford: Chamberlain, Hazan, Kennedy, Page, Palmer, Mooney (Millen 46'), Bazeley (Daley 64'), Hyde, Lee, Easton (Robinson 46'), Rosenthal.
Subs not used: Day, Noel-Williams.
Booked: Page 31', Hazan 55' (both fouls)

Ref: A P D'Urso (Billericay)

Shots On Target: Cambridge 4, Watford 2
Corners: Cambridge 8, Watford 5

Michael Kyd was restored to the United line-up tonight in place of midfielder Neil Mustoe as Roy McFarland sent out his first choice XI in search of goals. With five substitutes permitted, Scott Barrett and Mustoe were added to the three on duty at Torquay. Former United skipper Micah Hyde made his first playing return to the Abbey Stadium since joining Watford just over a year ago.

The game got off to a steady start in the sticky heat, with both sides toothless in attack as they took their measure of each other. Alex Russell saw a shot saved after a few minutes, at the other end Arjan "Ice" Van Heusden was out quickly to deny Jason Lee, and Michael Kyd saw a shot saved after a positive run. Then to the delight of the home crowd United scored in the 21st minute.

A Marc Joseph long throw came to nothing and the ball ended up with him again, but the defender's cross into the area was nodded down by Kyd towards Trevor Benjamin. Having scored the third goal against Watford in the recent friendly, the big striker did it again when it mattered by collecting the loose ball, holding off two defenders and poking it under Chamberlain from four yards.

Benjamin could have added another a minute later when he was pulled down by Palmer - and unlike Saturday this time he appeared to be inside the area. But the referee waved play on and Benjamin made no great appeal for a penalty. After that incident United took a firm grip on the game and had a number of chances to extend the lead. Skipper Paul Wanless headed a Russell free kick just over the bar after about half an hour, Martin Butler had two chances and Jamie Campbell saw a good shot well-saved.

Meanwhile Watford looked quick on the break but posed no real threat to Van Heusden's goal, despite Jason Lee's aerial dominance. Their first on-target effort came a minute before half-time when Rosenthal broke into the box and Van Heusden did well to parry his fierce drive. A minute later Martin Butler, who was causing all sorts of problems for Watford with his pace and willing runs, met a low cross at the back post and Chamberlain did well to block it. The visitors will have been relieved to hear the half-time whistle and should count themselves fortunate to go in at the break trailing by just one goal. Half-time 1-0.

As he did in the friendly, Watford boss Graham Taylor made changes at half time to try to cope with United's front three. Millen and Robinson came on for Mooney and Easton as Watford boosted their back-line, and from then onwards they kept the threat of Butler and Kyd under control. United managed just one more scoring chance midway through the half when Paul Wanless stung Chamberlain's hands with a curler from 30 yards, the goalkeeper doing very well to reach it. At the other end Van Heusden had little to do, and in midfield Ian Ashbee excelled in a battling second half performance from the U's.

Watford sent ex-England winger Tony Daley on for Bazeley after 64 minutes and for United John Taylor replaced the tiring Kyd four minutes later. Taylor brought all his experience to bear, holding the ball up well and testing the keeper, Paul Wanless saw a shot saved and both he and Benjamin headed over. In the later stages of the game the two teams almost cancelled each other out but if any team was going to score it would have been United.

Reporter Mark Johnson felt this was a very encouraging performance by United and reckoned that the gulf between the divisions did not show on tonight's performances.

Skipper Paul Wanless feels the U's are capable of getting the right result in the second leg at Vicarage Road and said: "It's only half-time, but I've got faith in the lads."

Kyd - in squad

"I can't say at this stage whether he'll be in the starting line-up," he told the Cambridge Evening News. "We have to get our attack going, though, because we need a cushion to take to Watford for the second leg. We couldn't quite manage that against West Bromwich Albion in the competition a year ago, and despite a marvellous display at the Hawthorns we went out after extra time."

On Saturday McFarland used a 4-4-2 formation instead of the more attack-minded 4-3-3 that looked so promising at the end of last season, but with the need for goals he could well opt for the extra striker in place of one of his new midfielders, Alex Russell or Neil Mustoe. Russell was withdrawn early on Saturday after 'feeling his hamstring' injury while Mustoe was generally felt to be disappointing, although the former Manchester United trainee admitted that he found it hard to get into the game at first.

Watford boss Graham Taylor has delayed naming his squad, but summer signing Michel Ngonge from Trabzonspor faces a late fitness test after going down with a throat infection before Saturday's opening day win over Portsmouth.

The Hornets were United's final pre-season opponents at the Abbey and lost 3-2, salvaging some pride with a last minute goal after a mix-up between new keeper Arjan Van Heusden and his defence. But that was an experimental side and McFarland acknowledges that, commenting, "We know we'll be facing a different Watford team from the one we beat in the friendly recently, probably with Micah Hyde in midfield for them, but that performance will help our confidence for this game.

"Watford made a bit of a stuttering start on Saturday, but like us picked up an away win. They are a team who won promotion last season and there's no doubt we are going to have to be at our best to give ourselves a chance when we go to their place."

Graham Taylor's side won 2-1 at Portsmouth on Saturday thanks to an 80th minute own goal from a Micah Hyde cross, followed four minutes later by a Jason Lee goal.

Ex-United skipper Hyde is set to make his first playing return to the Abbey Stadium this evening, while United's ex-Luton contingent of David Preece, Jamie Campbell, Ben Chenery and John Taylor can expect vocal attention from the visiting fans tonight. Watford and Luton are fierce local rivals and Preece was reminded of that when he took a throw-in near the visiting fans during the recent friendly.

Season ticket holders are reminded by club secretary Steve Greenall that they will need to pay for entry to this game, and indeed all cup games this season.

Roy McFarland

Immediately after the final whistle Roy McFarland held Saunders back from a confrontation with Mr. Jordan and explained, "Wes is just into the job. I've been there many times before, and I was just trying to help him and restrain him from doing something which I did many years ago."

McFarland told the Cambridge Evening News that he was unhappy with his team's patchy performance, despite the inportant boost of a winning start to a new season. "We didn't get going until the second half," he said. "We owed a lot to goalkeeper Arjan Van Heusden for keeping us in it until then.

"We didn't play particularly well, but we were solid."

After the game Wes Saunders refused to comment on the rookie referee, saying "I'll be in trouble with the soccer authorities if I say what I really think but the two lads are distraught. They didn't think they deserved a red card and neither do I."

In today's Torquay Herald Express he insists: "We hadn't lost control of the game, but someone else had. Nobody except the referee thought it was a penalty -- Alex's tackle was a yard outside the box, and the two lads are distraught at the sendings-off. We have a small squad here, and we're going to have people missing already.

"The referee has come in and decided to stamp his authority, and he's done it for stupid things."

Torquay could be in trouble with the FA following an incident after the game when one of Torquay's irate players apparently dumped the referee's towel in his bath. He had to borrow a dry towel from United's dressing room.

Roy McFarland should have a full squad to choose from for tomorrow's Worthington Cup game. Watford visit the Abbey for the first leg and both managers will be allowed to name five substitutes as the League bring their cup into line with the FA Cup. Midfielder Alex Russell was taken off early at Torquay after feeling his hamstring but should be fit for selection, and United are hopeful that Michael Kyd will be back in contention after having fluid drained from his knee.

The youth team were beaten 4-1 at Brighton in their opening South East Counties League game on Saturday morning. Andrew Ingham was the scorer for United.

The Nationwide League's opening games at the weekend attracted the highest crowd figures in over 20 years. Matches in the three divisions attracted almost 350,000 - a six per cent increase on last season's opening day figures.

The average Division One attendance was 16,504 with the biggest crowd at Sunderland's Stadium of Light where 41,008 fans watched Peter Reid's men beat QPR 1-0. Division Two's average attendance increased by 21.2 per cent, averaging at 8,367. Manchester City had the highest attendance of the weekend with 32,134 watching their 3-0 win over Blackpool at Maine Road.

Cambridge United: (4-4-2) Van Heusden, Chenery, Ashbee, Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Russell (Taylor 77'), Butler, Benjamin, Mustoe.
Subs not used: McCammon, Preece.
Booked: Chenery (foul 4'), Ashbee (foul 74').

Torquay United: Gregg, Gurney, Herrera, Robinson, Thomas, Watson, Clayton, McGorry, Bedeau (Tully 71'), McFarlane, Hill.
Subs not used: Partridge, Hapgood.
Booked: Hill (fouls 16' & 84'), Gurney (delib. handball 21' & foul 70'), Thomas (kicked ball away 61'), Watson (foul 80').

Statistics (from the Torquay Herald Express):
Free-kicks (conceded) - Torquay 17, Cambridge 12;
Offsides - Torquay 8, Cambridge 2;
Corners - Torquay 6, Cambridge 7;
Shots/Headers On Target - Torquay 2, Cambridge 5;
Off Target - Torquay 4, Cambridge 3.

Ref: W Jordan (Tring)

Last season's beaten play-off finalists, Torquay started brightly and had the first two scoring chances. First a low drive from McGorry which was well-saved by Van Heusden and then a header from Robinson, before Van Heusden produced a stunning save to deny Tony Bedeau. The Torquay player was set up by McFarlane and struck from the edge of the six yard box with the big Dutch keeper going the wrong way, but somehow he changed direction in mid-air to punch the ball over the bar.

United had to defend for long periods in the first half as Torquay kept the pressure on, but Jamie Campbell saw a header tipped over by teenager Gregg and Martin Butler had a low shot saved. Ben Chenery took only four minutes to record United's first booking of the season for a foul on Bedeau. Half-time 0-0.

United looked stronger after the break and forced a good save from Gregg and a chance was cleared off the line by Alex Watson. But for the first 70 minutes there was really only one team that was going to win this game, until rookie referee Bill Jordan went "card crazy" in the words of reporter Mark Johnson. With 20 minutes left he dismissed Andy Gurney for a second bookable offence, much to the disgust of the Torquay fans. Gurney had been booked after 21 minutes for a deliberate handball in attack, and saw red after clattering into Alex Russell. Ian Ashbee was booked minutes later for a foul and John Taylor replaced Russell, who was feeling the hamstring injury he suffered last weekend, after 77 minutes.

As the sun continued to blaze down the game heated up further in the closing minutes. Torquay's Kevin Hill missed from close range-range in the 80th minute then United counter-attacked and Trevor Benjamin was clearly just outside the box when tripped by player-coach Alex Watson. The big striker's momentum took him forward into the box, Mr Jordan awarded a controversial penalty and last season's top scorer Martin Butler stepped up and sent Gregg the wrong way.

While around 300 United supporters danced in delight the atmosphere elsewhere in the ground was one of fury, and Kevin Hill's frustration came to the surface he became the second Torquay player to see red in the 84th minute. Hill was booked for a crude challenge on Campbell and was shown his second yellow card and then the red by Mr Jordan, who was making his Football League "debut".

Reports suggest that a handful of Torquay fans tried to reach the referee after this decision, and new Torquay boss Wes Saunders was restrained by Roy McFarland as he tried to speak to Mr Jordan at the final whistle.

The experience of Arjan Van Heusden and Alex Russell - well, at 25 they're more experienced than most on the books! - and the promise of former Manchester United trainees Neil Mustoe and Tommy Smith has been added to the young talent already on the books, while last season's top scorer Martin Butler has demonstrated his fitness and form in pre-season with six goals in four games.

The 17-man squad staying overnight in Devon is: Taylor, Preece, Butler, Campbell, Benjamin, Ashbee, Joseph, Chenery, Duncan, Mustoe, Van Heusden, McAvoy, Youngs, McCammon, Russell, Wanless, plus Scott Barrett whose name was circulated for free transfer this week. There was provision made for one unnamed player to travel, potentially veteran winger Louie Donowa if he can agree a short-term deal with Roy McFarland.

New midfielders Neil Mustoe and Alex Russell are included after recovering from injury, and Mustoe played half of the game at Wisbech on Tuesday night. However striker Michael Kyd misses out after aggravating his knee injury in last weekend's friendly against Watford.

Roy McFarland admitted the news came as a blow, adding, "Michael and Martin Butler were going well up front and we wanted to keep that going. But the doctor tells us Michael needs just a bit more time, and it could be only this one match he misses. Trevor Benjamin has shown he can play the role with two up front though and I'm sure he'll do well for us.

"We'll be confident, having won at Torquay for the last two seasons, although the fact that they have a new manager means they'll be out to impress. I think it's like every opening game, difficult and unpredictable."

In fact United have won their last three games in Torquay and last season's 3-0 win ended a six month run without an away win. The U's stunned second-placed Torquay United with goals from Michael Kyd, Trevor Benjamin and Paul Wanless, much to the delight of the hardy souls who had made the 600 mile round trip to support the team.

Chris Leadbitter, one of Torquay's two ex-United players, is injured and likely to miss tomorrow's game although Gary Clayton should play, while referee Bill Jordan from Tring will be making his Football League "debut".

Arjan Van Heusden is set to make his League debut for United tomorrow - like Mustoe and Russell - and the giant Dutchman has revealed why he made the decision to join Cambridge United instead of Millwall. He told the Cambridge Evening News, "I reckon I'm good enough to play in the first division. That's not being big-headed, but you have to believe in your own ability. There are only so many places available though and if you can't get one then sometimes you need to drop down the divisions to get a number one spot.

"At 25, I thought it was best for me to do that now. There was a possibility of going to Millwall, but again it looked like being reserve football. Roy McFarland got in touch with me, and after I came down and played part of the game at Kettering he told me I could be the No.1, which is why I agreed a two year contract."

Today the club confirmed that the new away shirt sponsors for 1998/99 will be Philips Lighting, although sharp-eyed fans may have seen their name appear on the front of the Main Stand this week!

Cambridge United will play this season's away games in a new second choice strip of light and dark blue halves, and Commercial Manager Carla Frediani said, "We are delighted to join a growing number of clubs with a separate sponsor for home and away games."

Ian Major of Philips Lighting said, "We are delighted to cement relations with our local club. Back in 1992 Cambridge United were the first club in the country to use our "Arenavision" system and many much bigger clubs have followed suit since."

Philips Lighting join C & R Windows as United's second major new sponsorship signing, completing a package which improves upon the previous deal.

Youth Development Officer Ricky Martin has signed a new three year contract. At 22 the youngest youth organiser in the Football League, Martin has made changes and improvements to United's youth set-up, putting much more emphasis on the search for local talent.

He told the Cambridge Evening News, "It's good to know the club believes I'm working along the right lines, and getting a three year contract is very important for me. Now when I speak to the parents of a 13-year-old player I can assure them I'll be at the club to guide him all the way through to the youth team."

The original plan was for under-16s, students and OAPs to provide proof of their age and purchase a Concession Book for £5. The book must be then be produced at all home games and a voucher removed - similar to a season ticket - in order to qualify for the concessionary prices.

Following discussions with supporters - including a constructive debate on the Moosenet mailing list - the requirements have been revised slightly to avoid penalising the group the club most want to encourage - the under 16s, and particularly those who attend games on a casual basis.

Students and OAPs will still need to have a book, and if they cannot produce one they must pay full prices at the turnstiles.

Club secretary Greenall said, "We will not be enforcing this rule at the first three home games, but it will come into full force for the 5th September vs. Scarborough."

Anyone who appears "borderline" may be requested to provide proof of age for future matches - e.g. a fifteen year old who looks older.

Barrett arrived on a free transfer from Gillingham three years ago and made an instant impression when he saved a penalty against Coventry City on his pre-season debut at the Abbey Stadium.

He went on to prove an able shot-stopper and had his best season for United in 1996-97, before looking set to join former U's boss Tommy Taylor at Leyton Orient when his contract expired at the end of that season.

Orient then dropped their interest when it became clear that United expected a fee for Barrett, and he eventually returned to Cambridge and signed a new two year deal.

Last season his form was described as "in and out" by Roy McFarland but, ironically in what proved to be his final game for United, Barrett had a very good game against Ipswich Town last Tuesday night.

"Here we have a chairman who is suggesting a player should be taking legal action against a club," McFarland pointed out. "He knows Cambridge United have operated within the rules of the League, that the player has no redress in law as it stands, and that Billy is only in this position because Orient refuse to negotiate a transfer with us.

"So, I believe I am entitled to ask whether Barry Hearn has the best interests of all third division clubs at heart when he represents us at Football League meetings.

"As for the saga with Billy it looks to me as though Barry Hearn is not too keen to back his manager's judgement of the player. Why else would he refuse to enter into any negotiation whatsoever about the player?"

Beall is understood to be at home in Nasing, Essex and training alone as he waits anxiously for his future to be resolved.

Cambridge United's home League fixture against Brighton may have to be rearranged due to England's Euro 2000 qualifying campaign.

Club secretary Steve Greenall revealed today that England vs. Bulgaria will be played on Saturday 10th October with a 3pm kick-off, and the game will be screened live on Sky TV. As United are due to entertain Brighton and Hove Albion that afternoon the club are considering changing the kick-off time or switching the game to the Friday evening.

The decision will be taken shortly and after discussions with manager Roy McFarland, but it is almost certain that the fixture will be subject to change.

Some weeks ago Orient chairman Barry Hearn said that players would have to be sold before new ones could be signed. With defender Mark Warren poised to join Oxford United matters could be coming to a head - especially in view of assertions from Hearn and his manager Tommy Taylor that something would happen "this week" with regard to Beall.

'Billy' Beall

Today's Cambridge Evening News reported that Leyton Orient are once again expected to make a new offer for the out of contract 20-year-old "this week" and Orient boss Tommy Taylor is quoted saying, "We are going in for Billy. We've been waiting for some clarification from the Football League, but I should think we'll be trying to come to agreement with Cambridge this week."

On Clubcall, United club secretary and financial controller Steve Greenall commented, "As it stands on Monday afternoon we read in our local Cambridge Evening News newspaper that Leyton Orient will be getting in touch to make a bid this week. This is the third time we have heard this and we are keen to get it sorted out once and for all."

In the same message Barry Hearn can be heard confirming, "We are going to speak to them sometime this week" and adding that Beall has said that if he doesn't get his wish to move to Leyton Orient then he will "pack in" football for good.

"This is the stupidity of not allowing conditional tribunals," Hearn added. "It's all balls basically. I would have gone to a conditional because I could have walked away if the price decided was something like £150,000, but I can't take a chance on a tribunal that might say £150,000 because it's not my money, it's Leyton Orient's money. This case has implications for the sport because here is a player who is going to pack up the game if he cannot get the move he wants. If I was 'Billy' Beall I would be talking to my solicitor."

(Hearn's implication was clearly that Beall might take action against the Football League for scrapping conditional tribunals but if Orient pull out of their attempts to sign him, leaving the midfielder's career in the balance, who knows where he might feel the blame lies?)

Steve Greenall responded, "Most clubs that I have spoken to believe conditional tribunals should have been scrapped a long while ago because they were being used as a device by people to obtain players for unrealistic fees. Maybe the fear Leyton Orient have of an ordinary (non-conditional) tribunal is that they feel the original offer they made was unrealistic. One thing that may have come out of it is that it makes clubs think about their offer more."

From a United standpoint it certainly seems the case that if Hearn was confident in his original offer for Beall then he would have no worries about facing a tribunal, but instead in his own words today he admitted "I can't take a chance on a tribunal". In the meantime Beall is stuck in limbo while his future lies out of his own hands.

Greenall went on to point out that "Leyton Orient approached Billy Beall at the end of last season before we'd even submitted our retained list to the League, and they'd offered him a three-year contract before he had turned down the terms offered by Cambridge United. As far as we are concerned we keep hearing that Leyton Orient are going to make an offer but we have heard nothing in ten weeks."

Greenall - "regrettable"

Asked if the stalemate could be put down to a lack of communication Greenall retorted, "I have two telephones on my desk, both of them working. There is no mail strike in Cambridge that I know of. They have access to my e-mail address at home - there is no breakdown in communication."

Greenall was asked if he had spoken to Beall and replied, "Billy Beall's Dad has been in touch to ask if we had heard from Leyton Orient but really they ought to be asking Leyton Orient. It is a very regrettable situation but it is not one of our making."

Told that Barry Hearn was implying that Cambridge United were to blame for the current stalemate, Greenall responded, "We weren't to blame that we made three offers to our player that he turned down. We did everything we could. He told us that after six years he wanted a change of club and he had an offer from Leyton Orient. His head was turned."

Cambridge United: Van Heusden, Chenery, Ashbee (Smith 26), Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Preece (Youngs 87), Butler (Benjamin 63), Kyd (McCammon 63), Donowa.

Watford: Chamberlain (Day 45), Bazeley (Noel-Williams 66), Robinson (Millen 45), Easton, Yates, Mooney, Gudmundsson (Hazan 45), Palmer, Smart, Wright, Rosenthal (Kennedy 45).

Referee: Chris Francis (Little Downham, Ely)

There were three changes to the U's starting line-up as new signing Arjan Van Heusden replaced Scott Barrett in goal, David Preece came into midfield in place of the injured Alex Russell and trialist winger Louie Donowa started in place of young striker Trevor Benjamin. There was no sign of Micah Hyde in the Watford squad.

United forced about eight corners in a period of concerted early pressure, but took a two goal lead thanks to well-taken strikes from open play. The in-form Martin Butler scored his fifth pre-season goal in the 19th minute, running onto a David Preece ball "over the top" and coolly slotting home.

Michael Kyd then went close with a fierce rising shot after cutting in from the right, before Butler added another five minutes before the break. Preece created almost a carbon copy opening and although Chamberlain parried the ball this time, Butler tucked away the rebound.

The experienced Preece was at his best this afternoon, pulling the strings in midfield and often spotting the perfect pass to release a teammate. Ian Ashbee limped off midway through the half to be replaced by Tommy Smith.

Graham Taylor must have delivered a verbal rocket to his side by the way they started the second half, complete with four half-time substitutions, and the Hornets got back into the game. Arjan Van Heusden had to save a shot from Allan Smart - who scored here for Carlisle two seasons ago - and then Gifton Noel-Williams head straight at the keeper before hitting the post.

The final ten minutes saw three more goals in a wholehearted and entertaining game. First Watford pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute after a cross into the box put the United defence under pressure, Wright lifted the ball over Van Heusden and Gifton Noel-Williams tapped home the loose ball. But United attacked again and Chris Day had to be at full-stretch to deny Tommy Smith from 20 yards, then in the 85th minutes later United substitute Trevor Benjamin powered his way through the Watford defence and slotted past Day from an angle to give United a fine third goal.

As the match entered its final few seconds Watford profited from a defensive mix-up after a corner to tap in their second just moments before the final whistle, Noel-Williams challenged Van Heusden who fumbled allowing Millen to prod the ball home from a couple of yards.