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United boss Roy McFarland looks set to scrap the flat back-four system which has produced only four points from five games after hinting at a return to the wing-back style for tomorrow's trip to Mansfield. After going along briefly with the fans' and players' preference by using defenders Matt Joseph and Danny Granville as full-backs, he is likely to pull them back to the centre of the defence.

Tuesday's home defeat by Scunthorpe is widely held to be United's worst performance of the season so far. It also marked manager Roy McFarland's nineteenth game in charge which matches the number of games for which Tommy Taylor was at the helm.

The C.E.N. points out that Taylor's final match in charge, the 3-1 victory at Hull in November, was the best away display for years, and the comparison between the two records is almost as dramatic: under Taylor the team recorded 10 wins, 4 draws and 5 defeats whilst under McFarland the results read 6 wins, 3 draws and 10 losses.

After outplaying Hull, United were riding high in second spot, ahead of Wigan and Carlisle, already eight points clear of the teams outside the play-off zone and now they are clinging perilously to fifth spot, the top three are as good as out of sight, and the play-off cushion has deflated to four points. The facts make depressing reading but several fans hold the opinion that we picked up some fortunate results earlier this season while now we seem to be punished for every error. Also Taylor had Scott McGleish and Micah Hyde score seven apiece in his games in charge, while McGleish followed Taylor out of the club and Hyde has missed seven matches through injury in McFarland's reign.

Finally it seems that the club have blocked an approach from Taylor's Leyton Orient to take Colin Vowden on loan, despite the fact that Vowden does not appear to feature in McFarland's plans and he was told two weeks ago that he is being released at the end of the season.

If the defeat on Friday against Carlisle did not end our hopes of automatic promotion then this bad defeat against mid-table Scunthorpe surely did.

Even Micah Hyde's return from injury after missing the last seven games could not stop the rot as both sides put on an uninspiring show in the first half and produced any number of misplaced passes. Tony Richards had the best chance in the first half when his shot in the 7th minute rolled just wide, and only his and John Taylor's long range shots remotely troubled the Scunthorpe defence in the first 45 minutes.

While the U's continued their dreadful performance after the break, the new Iron manager Brian Laws obviously said the right things in the dressing room and his side produced any number of scoring chances. Only the inspired Scott Barrett stopped an even more embarrassing scoreline as the second half resembled a one-way attack on his goal and he made several brilliant stops. The U's attacking chances were very few and far between as Micah Hyde attempted a lob early in the half and Richards fired well over in injury time.

John Eyres made the breakthrough on the hour when he volleyed home a long throw, and it was no surprise when Steve Housham settled matters just seven minutes later after another fine save from Barrett. Roy McFarland used all three substitutes in an effort to shake things up but the home side were boo-ed off the pitch at the end. We have now lost six of our last nine matches and even the play-offs start to look decidedly uncertain after that performance.

United line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Granville, Preece, Craddock. Raynor (Ashbee 82), Thompson, Hyde, Taylor (Barnwell 80), Kyd (Beall 67), Richards.

17:00 - The U's entertain Brian Laws' new club Scunthorpe United tonight at the Abbey Stadium and there are no fresh injury worries for manager Roy McFarland. In fact he may include skipper Micah Hyde as the influential midfielder is back in full training after missing seven games with a toe injury.

United desperately need a change in fortunes to prevent five defeats in the last eight games dragging them out of the third division play-off zone, and Hyde's play-making abilities could be vital.

Roy McFarland has gone public today on his concerns that a number of key players have yet to sign new contracts. Fans have known for some time now that players like Jody Craddock, Matt Joseph, Danny Granville and captain Micah Hyde will be free agents in the summer and have yet to commit themselves to new deals. But to their names can be added those of Scott Barrett, Dave Thompson, Paul Raynor and Tony Richards and McFarland fears that the deadlock might wreck the club's faltering promotion bid.

"We are a club in limbo," said the United manager. "It is not a healthy scenario when you are fighting for promotion. The contracts business is there in the background all the time, it's a distraction we can't really afford. I don't think for a minute it's in players' minds when they are in a match, but it has to affect the focus of the team. I believe there's a danger the feeling that 'we're all in this together' could be diluted if a player or two is thinking, 'well I'll be away at the end of the season whatever happens,'

"It's a very unusual position for a club to have so many first team players getting to the end of the contracts at the same time. I've worked on it since I came here more than three months ago. Players have been made good offers, but as yet we have not had one 'yes,' There's not a lot the club can do but continue to keep on talking, which we will. But it has got to the stage where I felt the supporters should be made fully aware of the situation."

Friday's 3-1 defeat at home to Carlisle leaves United nine points adrift of the top three, while the 12-points cushion between us and the teams outside the play-off zone has been sliced to just four. In this situation the players are presumably keeping their options open until they know which division United will be playing in next season.

Meanwhile they have an early opportunity to get back in the chase tomorrow night when Scunthorpe United - who appointed Brian Laws as their new manager today - are the visitors at the Abbey.

From the Cambridge Evening News
Colin Vowden's second bid at becoming a rare local hero at the Abbey Stadium has ended in disappointment. Cambridge United's Young Player of the Year during John Beck's reign, he shocked the club by suddenly quitting professional football.

The centre-back was brought back to the Abbey Stadium by Tommy Taylor, who paid Cambridge City £11,000, the only fee United have laid out in the last three years. Now he is on is way once more, but not of his own volition, one of three players axed as manager Roy McFarland tries to reshape his squad.

It was a second chance which turned sour as far as he was concerned because he felt he was not given a real opportunity to prove himself.

"Roy McFarland didn't see me play in a League game," he pointed out. "I don't think I'm a bad trainer, but I don't think you can really judge a player on that. When we lost four matches out of five last month I was expecting changes in the team which might give me a chance, but it didn't happen."

The 25-year-old Newmarket-based defender was a regular member of the squad last season, getting into the 14 for 39 matches. But he accepts he could not have played in a worse position as far as his prospects at United were concerned.

"It was my bad luck that in a small squad we had so many people who could play in central defence," he said. "There was Jody Craddock and Danny Granville, Matt Joseph had a spell, Ian Ashbee is a centre-half, and Paul Wanless can also play there. So can Robbie Turner, while Marc Joseph is one of the young ones coming through. But I still believe I made the right decision to come back into full-time football and I'm determined to try to get another club."

Sky TV's cameras rolled into town to cover possibly the most important league match played at the Abbey Stadium so far this season. As anticipated, Tony Richards and Adi Hayes were recalled to the side at the expense of Jamie Barnwell and Billy Beall, who joined Dave Thompson on the bench.

"Tony and Adi have been impressive in training this week," explained Roy McFarland before the match. "We faded in the second half at Orient on Saturday, and they may have that bit of extra spark we need now. They are certainly in consideration. Tony is fit again after his injury, and Adie has had the rest he probably needed as a young player in a League side."

All the Sky TV razzmatazz was in evidence around the ground with fans parading their scarves, banners and painted faces for the cameras, and on the pitch just before kick-off Mandy the Moose did a little routine for the cameras with the help of her assistants and some ball-boys with a stretcher.

The Cambridge United players seemed infused with the carnival atmosphere too, as within two minutes Michael Kyd scorched down the left wing and crossed for Tony Richards' header to cause problems in the Carlisle defence. The early pace was hot as both sides struggled to gain the advantage but after just five frantic minutes Carlisle took the lead. Owen Archdeacon's corner kick was met with a powerful downward header from Lee Peacock right in front of the delighted visiting fans.

Two minutes later David Preece showed his frustration when he was booked for a late challenge. Both sides were playing good football but most of the action took place in the middle of the field, although Scott Barrett made the first of a series of vital stops when he made a great reflex save from Peacock after a nerve-wracking goalmouth scramble.

This was followed by a period of intense U's pressure as Richards and Kyd on the wings caused problems while none of Carlisle's three central defenders seemed to be taking responsibility for John Taylor. On 22 minutes Jody Craddock connected with Paul Raynor's corner only to see his firm header hit the cross-bar, and after 26 the outstanding Danny Granville played a super ball forward from defence. Paul Raynor collected and produced a great cross that caused disarray in the box but Taylor just failed to connect with the ball. From the resulting corner the ball fell to Adie Hayes just outside the box, but his volley sailed over the bar. The pressure was sustained when just two minutes later a Raynor free kick was met by Jody Craddock whose shot was just wide.

Sky displayed the stats for the first 30 minutes and confirmed our superiority in possession with the ball being in the Carlisle third for 22% of the time, 66% in midfield and just 11% in our third. But we were still a goal behind and chasing hard. Tony Richards had been looking lively on the right and he showed that he is not afraid to shoot with a long-range shot on 32.

Alan Brazil provided the 'colour' commentary on the night and he was purring about our central defensive partnership of Craddock and Granville. They looked composed in defence and while Danny was positive with the ball and comfortable on it, Jody was dominant in the air. Brazil said Michael Kyd's pace and threat on the left wing reminded him of John Salako, and then pointed out that although John Taylor was our lone threat in the centre of the attack he was getting lots of room. As he spoke (37 minutes) we were awarded a free kick a few yards outside the box in a central position. David Preece produced a precise looping free kick and Shaggy was given lots of space to leap and head it home. He celebrated his 50th goal for the club in front of an ecstatic Kop.

At that stage we were right back in the game and after working so hard to get back on terms you sensed that the team felt they could go on and make a real contest of this game. Certainly for the last 20 minutes or so of the first half we caused Carlisle all sorts of problems with our pressure, although after the match Carlisle boss Mervyn Day said that was the worst his team had played for some months.

The half-time stats confirmed our superiority, with ten attempts on goals to their three and five corners to their one, but all the optimism evaporated just two minutes after the re-start. A long throw by Delap from close to the touch-line was met by a Dean Walling header which Scott Barrett parried at point-blank range. However Allan Smart was close by to score with the simplest of headers from the rebound. He then proceded to infuriate the home support by running to kneel astride the touch-line and mimic the rowing activities of "Hawaii 5-0"'s opening credits, while several team-mates raced to join him.

Carlisle's confidence returned with a vengeance and on 52 minutes we survived a scare when Smart showed some great skill just inside the area. He received the ball from Archdeacon with his back to goal, but turned well and chipped Barrett only to see the ball hit the bar. On 56 Barrett made a vital save with his foot from Archdeacon, and the resulting corner was wasted when Walling headed over under pressure from Craddock. By this stage it was noticeable that Michael Kyd had faded since his fine early showing and Carlisle were the dominant force on the pitch, with Smart and Archdeacon looking lively and dangerous.

After 62 minutes Carlisle clinched it with a bizarre and hotly disputed goal. A Carlisle corner was again headed on by Walling but it was partially cleared by Jody Craddock's header. Steve Hayward played the ball back in as our defence pushed out and Alan Smart raced clear, got a toe to the ball with just enough force for it to dribble wide of Barrett's fingers. While our defenders raced to the linesman in furious protest Smart and his team-mates tormented the U's in the Kop with their rowing celebrations, although Smart denied after the match that it had anything to do with the boat-race and Cambridge in particular. Hmm.

After that our heads and spirits dropped noticeably and Carlisle indulged in two or three minutes of keep-ball cheered on by their supporters. On 68 minutes Scott Barrett made his third vital stop of the game during a goalmouth scramble and pushed the ball to Matt Joseph to clear. Dave Thompson was brought on for Ian Ashbee after 73 minutes and Danny Granville moved to left back with licence to make more of his effective forward runs. Certainly the tactical change signalled the start of another period of United pressure.

After 76 minutes a Raynor free kick was saved by Tony Caig, the first serious work of the half for the highly-rated Carlisle 'keeper. The referee Gurnam Singh had to speak to Warren Aspinall a couple of minutes later as a few niggly late challenges started going in, and seconds later Allan Smart was flagged offside to ironic cheers from the U's faithful, with a repeat just minutes later. Granville was providing some good penetration on the left as Carlisle defended deeper and a promising move down that side was broken up when the wily Aspinall fouled Raynor. On 82 Richards had a cross claimed by Caig, and two minutes after that Kyd produced a deep cross from the left. He was aiming for John Taylor who was favouring a role on the far post but Tony Caig took the ball well.

Although the U's were battling hard the players were feeling the pace and with Beall and Barnwell on the bench and no doubt itching to get into the action I wondered why they weren't called upon to replace some weary legs. With five minutes to go Day replaced Prokas with Edmondson, just before Michael Kyd nodded back a Raynor free kick only for Craddock to volley over. Then with two minutes to go Kyd showed a spark of his former self to run at the Carlisle defence and shoot, but the ball was deflected into the air and claimed by Caig.

The match finished at much the same pace as it had started and the clock showed 90 minutes when John Taylor won the ball in the air, but - as had happened so often in the second half - there was no-one in the box to follow up. Then the action switched to the other end and Peacock headed straight at Scott Barrett just before the whistle was blown for full-time.

Carlisle's win took them to the top of the table, much to the noisy delight of their band of travelling supporters, while we stay fifth and with this result have probably blown any chance of an automatic promotion place.

Afterwards Roy McFarland said, "It's possible we defended too deeply in the second half but we finished both halves strongly. Without doubt Carlisle are a good team amd they can certainly pass that ball around." Asked about the result and its effect on our season he admitted, "It tells us we're going to find it hard to stay in that top three."

United line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Granville, Preece, Craddock, Raynor, Ashbee (Thompson 73), Richards, Taylor, Kyd, Hayes.
Subs not used: Barnwell, Beall
Booked: Preece (foul)

John Taylor is looking forward to tomorrow night's televised game at the Abbey Stadium, when we face promotion rivals Carlisle, and "Shaggy" says the team know how important a win could be.

"They're on a great run at the moment," he said of Carlisle, "as are a couple of other sides, and a win tomorrow would stop them in their tracks for a week."

Taylor has experienced media attention before, particularly during the U's glorious achievements of the early 90s, but the experience of playing before the cameras will be a new one for many of his team-mates. "It will affect a few of them. It'll be the first time they've experienced this but I'll try and get to them and try and help them."

He laughed when asked if he would be affected by the cameras: "I'm a bit too long in the tooth for it to affect me. I'll be looking forward to it whole-heartedly. We haven't played as well as we can in the last couple of months and we need to perform for the full ninety minutes."

Finally, he hopes the people of Cambridge will turn out to support the team on their big night, adding, "I hope they'll turn up tomorrow night instead of sitting at home with the TV. There's nothing like playing in front of a big crowd."

There is no indication yet of whether captain Micah Hyde will feature tomorrow night but he said last weekend that he was aiming to be fit for this match after missing the last six games with a broken toe.

A public war of words has erupted between the club and the City Council as Sky Television's vans roll into town. According to the Cambridge Evening News, United have been warned that contact with the council could cease if they continue to make critical comments in their match programme or in the News. Ben Bradnack, chairman of the Community Development and Leisure committee, apparently issued the threat in a letter to United secretary Steve Greenall.

Bradnack is quoted as writing: "I shall be reluctant to enter into dialogue with you on behalf of the Council if your idea of negotiation is to publish comments which are critical of the Council in your programme, or cause them to be published in the Press, without first taking the trouble to contact officers or members."

Greenall retorted: "I think it's an extraordinary letter. I don't believe United should have to seek permission to express an opinion."

Hot on the heels of last week's announcement that Colin Vowden, Lee Palmer and Lenny Pack would be leaving the club on free transfers, three YTS trainees have been rewarded with professional contracts.

Goalkeeper Shaun Marshall, striker Trevor Benjamin and left-winger Adam Wilde were all understandably delighted to sign on Tuesday and shared their joy with the "Abbey Update".

Marshall has already played once for the first team, making his debut in a 2-2 draw at the Abbey against Rochdale. His chance came at short notice when Scott Barrett was injured and the loan deal involving Peter Shilton fell through minutes before the signing deadline. He admits that he is "definitely over the moon!" and credited Scott Barrett and David Batch with helping him achieve his aim, but added that words from boss Roy McFarland will help him keep his feet on the ground.

"He said 'This is where it all begins' and I've got to keep working hard at it," added Marshall.

Southampton-born Adam Wilde admits that his family are Southampton fans but they are slowly being converted to the U's cause, and he is "very pleased to get a professional contract." Adam made his debut early this season as a sub against Cardiff and thoroughly enjoyed the experience: "I thought I did fairly well." Although he sat on the bench for the next game it remains his only appearance, but he is obviously highly-rated by the staff at the Abbey and he credits David Batch, "Preecy" and Paul Raynor as major influences on his success.

Giant striker Trevor "Fash" Benjamin proclaimed himself "very pleased" and admitted that the player he is nick-named after, striker John Fashanu, was a player he had admired. He also thanked youth team manager David Batch for his encouragement. Trevor has made four substitute appearances this season, scoring once, and says, "I'm looking forward to scoring lots of goals, hopefully starting on Friday!"

Chairman Reg Smart's shock offer to sell the Abbey Stadium to the council for housing development has been dismissed by Mayor John Durrant, who said today the authority did not have the resources to enter any sale and lease-back arrangement with the club.

"There were thoughts at one stage about joining United in a municipal stadium," he said, "but again we wouldn't have been able to come up with the finance."

He denied the council had an unsympathetic and unhelpful attitude towards United.

"Some people at the club club seem to have that impression, but it is certainly not the case," he said. "We have thought about ways to help out, but we cannot get into any arrangement which would mean the authority effectively subsidising players' wages. United have yet to put a solid proposal for redevelopment before the council. It has never reached that stage. I believe they have improved their situation by purchasing the old Corona works adjoining the stadium, and I think it would probably be better for them to remain there and improve the Abbey, rather than moving."

U's supporters are reminded by the club that they have until Thursday to take advantage of special deals for Friday's match against Carlisle, which is being broadcast live by Sky TV. The deals include five adult seats for £30 and "20 kids for 20 quid".

United chairman Reg Smart today offered to sell the Abbey Stadium to the City Council for a housing site. He made his dramatic move in response to comments by Mayor Tony Durrant in the argument over the local authority's alleged lack of support for the football club.

Smart said: "Mr Durrant says the Council has higher priorities than Cambridge United, mainly housing. Well, here is their chance to acquire what is probably the last prime site left within the city boundaries for building houses. They could lease the stadium back to the club until we re-locate to a new site, then they would have five acres to build their houses on. The truth is Cambridge United receives nothing like the backing from the local authority most other clubs enjoy. Unless we can get better backing from the city council and other local authorities, or from businesses in the area I can no longer guarantee the long term future of the club. The banks are taking a much tougher line with football clubs these days, and we need a stadium or a new site where we can generate other income on top of gate receipts.

"Coun Richard Smith claimed we have put nothing concrete before the council, but we submitted an improvement plan for the Abbey Stadium which was rejected by the planners because of overshadowing and car parking problems. And when we wanted to move to a site at Teversham which would have been ideal we were told it was 'untouchable' green belt land. Now there is a park-and-ride base there. That could have been the car park for the football club."

A reply from the council can be expected shortly ..!

Meanwhile we face an anxious few days while David Preece fights to get fit for Friday's tough televised test against Carlisle. The player/coach ran the show at Leyton Orient, pulling all the right strings as his team dominated an exhilarating opening half hour, and not since the victory at Hull more than three months ago have United looked so composed and confident in an away match.

Preece was sitting pretty in midfield, always in space, laying off the stabbing short passes which kept possession, and now and then hitting the through ball which opened up the route to goal.

"We were getting slaughtered," admitted Orient's ex-United boss Tommy Taylor. "We weren't closing down, or tackling and Preesty (he always did put the extra 't' in) was in charge."

But when an accidental kick in the ribs ruled Preece out of the action after 34 minutes, they suddenly became puppets without the master and boss Roy McFarland will be anxious to have Preece back for Friday's televised match against promotion rivals Carlisle.

Another feature of Saturday's match was the treatment of O's striker Scott McGleish, who followed Tommy Taylor from the Abbey. The black and amber army howled their delighted derision in the 15th minute when McGleish launched into a celebratory double somersault, to the accompaniment of the announcer's embarrassing Brazilian impression, "Goooaaaalll!"

His header had zipped past goalkeeper Scott Barrett, but several seconds after the offside flag was raised. A quarter of an hour into the second half however, with Orient on top, the striker exacted full and elaborate revenge when he equalised and mocked United with a one man version of their elephant walk routine, their goal ceremony when he was one of them.

"You could say I enjoyed that goal," he said. "I knew I was in for the treatment from the fans. They wanted me to stay with United and I can understand how they felt. United outplayed us in the first half, but we should have won it in the second."

Reflecting on the game Roy McFarland commented, "The first half was the best we've played for some time, we have to remember that and try to reproduce it. We lost our way in the second, allowed them to take over, and had to be happy in the end with a point."

Tommy Taylor believes Orient should have won, and just for good measure cast doubt on his old team's promotion credentials.

"I don't know why they dropped out of the top three," he said. "They are still capable of playing very well as they showed in the first half. But for all the possession, they didn't create very much. John Taylor is on his own up front, and they might not be able to score enough goals to stay in the play-off places."

This was always going to be an emotion charged day as the U's travelled to the new home of their former manager in search of a win to boost faltering promotion claims. Travelling U's fans made up about a quarter of the 4,418 watching at Brisbane Road and they roared the team on as we dominated in the early stages, Jamie Barnwell and Michael Kyd looking particularly likely.

However it was former hero Scott McGleish who had the ball in the net first as he headed home Jamie Clapham's cross after 14 minutes. His outrageous celebrations in front of our fans were in vain as, after some initial confusion, the goal was in fact disallowed for offside. After that scare and with some important prompting from David Preece in midfield the U's continued to threaten and seven minutes later John Taylor smashed home a rebound to send the travelling fans into ecstasy. It began with a good run into the box by the unmarked Billy Beall who crossed for Jamie Barnwell, Paul Hyde blocked Barnwell's shot but it fell to Taylor who made no mistake with his right footed blast.

An important turning point in the match came after about half an hour when David Preece limped off to be replaced by Paul Wanless, taking with him our control of the midfield. We had been playing organised and controlled football but Orient charged their way back into the match. After the break they paid particular attention to Ian Ashbee, a right-footer playing at left-back, and enjoyed some success down that flank. It was therefore no great surprise when, in a 59th minute carbon copy of the disallowed goal, Clapham's cross was again powered home by Scott McGleish. After that Orient were in rampant form and United were grimly holding on, rarely breaking out of defence as a thousand fans roared in desperate support. Dave Thompson made a late appearance for Michael Kyd to help shore up the under-pressure defence, but Orient could have settled it with a late header that was just off-target.

The point keeps us in fifth place and just in touch with the leaders, level on points but with two games in hand on Swansea City in fourth. Elsewhere Wigan drew 1-1 at home to Fulham in a clash of the table-toppers, and Carlisle beat the resurgent Brighton 2-1.

United line-up: Barrett, Joseph, Granville, Preece (Wanless 33), Craddock, Raynor, Ashbee, Barnwell (Richards 59), Taylor, Kyd (Thompson 85), Beall.
Booked: Preece, Raynor.

Roy McFarland is trimming the senior squad by releasing defenders Colin Vowden and Lee Palmer, and midfielder Lenny Pack on free transfers. McFarland today confirmed that a circular naming the three players had been sent to all League clubs.

This is the second time in his career that Colin Vowden has been released by the club - the U's 1990 youth player of the year was released after his two-year YTS but returned in the summer of 1995, plucked from neighbours City as Tommy Taylor's first signing.

The news will not cheer Lenny Pack who is currently recovering from last week's hernia operation. Physio Ken Steggles explained that Lenny had been suffering with some lower abdominal pain and once a muscular problem was ruled out the hernia operation became necessary. His recovery period will be at least six weeks which rules him out for practically the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, United player-coach David Preece made it clear that there is pressure to perform on the strikers as he considered our chances in the final third of the campaign. John Taylor's haul of two goals from six appearances is fairly pleasing but Jamie Barnwell has not scored so far this year and Michael Kyd's return is two goals since the beginning of December. It is no wonder that the fans are puzzled at Tony Richards' continued exile on the bench when prior to his injury his tally was four from twelve, and our goals haul will need to improve dramatically if we are to climb back to the automatic promotion places.

Finally the club are trying to contact a mystery man who could be prepared to invest a massive amount of money in the club. If certain conditions are met the anonymous contact has hinted he could pump in as much as £750,000. Financial controller Steve Greenall admits it could be somebody's "flight of fantasy," but believes there is some substance to the strange offer, and the club are appealing for the person to make contact again.

Team news for Saturday's eagerly anticipated trip to Brisbane Road should emerge tomorrow with Roy McFarland looking to build upon last weekend's victory over Hull. We need to string a few wins together to gain ground on the four teams above us and the United players will be fired up for the match against their old boss. Tommy Taylor's November departure sparked public acrimony between him and the board as it appeared Taylor tendered his resignation via the Cambridge Evening News, and claim and counter-claim were made for days afterwards.

The supporters' discontent was multiplied when popular on-loan striker Scott McGleish turned down a generous offer from the U's to follow Taylor after netting seven times in eleven games. We were delighted when Taylor brought his new side to the Abbey a fortnight later to be beaten 2-0, partly due to McGleish's profligacy in front of goal.

It is bound to be an emotional afternoon but for now here are two Orient web sites to look at:

The official site at http://www.matchroom.com/orient which is maintained by the club DJ/PA and aims to be the best web page from a UK football club.

The Leyton Orient Supporters' Website at http://www.mccom.co.uk/onet/ which provides directions to the ground at http://www.mccom.co.uk/onet/direct.htm.

Two young Manchester United players are on trial at the Abbey. England youth defender David Hilton and striker Jonathan Macken both played in yesterday's reserve match against Brentford.

"We are having a look at them for a week," said boss Roy McFarland. "They are both 19-year-olds who need a bit of first team football. If they fit in there's a possibility we could arrange a loan deal."

McFarland also revealed that United missed out on Bolton striker Stuart Whittaker, who was on trial at the Abbey but was snapped up by second division Bristol City. The United manager was hoping to bring in Whittaker using funds from the aborted Jody Craddock transfer to Oxford.

Tony Richards, confined to the subs bench since his return from injury, staked his claims for a start at Leyton Orient on Saturday by getting the goal in the 1-1 draw against Brentford. He braved a defender's boot to head home Trevor Benjamin's cross.

The new date for the home match against Northampton Town has finally been announced and the rearranged fixture takes place on Tuesday 8th April.

Meanwhile United fan and City councillor Richard Smith responded to Steve Greenall's allegation that the council were unhelpful, and uninterested in the club.

"I don't believe the City council is unsympathetic towards United, but we cannot wave a magic wand and make things happen for the club," he told the Cambridge Evening News. "One of the major problems is that United do not seem to have decided whether they want to redevelop on the Abbey Stadium site, or relocate. It is up to them to put the ball in the council's court by putting forward a concrete proposal for consideration. But they have yet to do it."

An associate director of United and councillor for the ward in which the ground is situated, Smith is chairman of the City Council's Property and Administration Committee, and also sits on the Community and Leisure Committee. He was responding to club secretary Greenall's call for the council to "come to the football club offering help."

"Not so long ago," he said, "the council commissioned a £30,000 survey of the Chesterton sidings with a new stadium in mind, but it was not viable. United have come up with plans to redevelop the Abbey, but they have never got as far as being considered by the council. So it is not a case of the council rejecting them. The planning officers suggested amendments, but no new plans were re-submitted to them and no appeal was made by the club against their decisions."

This one is sure to run and run.

United secretary Steve Greenall used his column in Saturday's match programme to hit out at Cambridge City Council for their lack of support for the club.

"Shouldn't they be doing more to ensure the spirit of community in the city permeates through to the football club?" he asked. "When did you last read that the council in Cambridge came to the club offering to help with re-location or to re-align the common land boundary behind the Habbin stand to aid redevelopment of the Abbey Stadium? Perhaps they are more content to let the club work on its own, knowing if we want to re-locate we must 'get lucky' in finding land to build on."

Greenall, the longest-serving secretary in United's 26-year League history and also the club's financial controller, added, "The council talks about a strategy for leisure development. Sadly, despite the best efforts of council officers, plans remain on the drawing board. Meanwhile, elsewhere in so-called 'expanding East Anglia,' other towns put in leisure facilities which leave Cambridge in the shade."

Greenall's comments echo the fans' concerns over the apparent lack of support by the City Council and seem sure to provoke a renewed debate. One only needs to look at the new 'municipal' stadiums such as Northampton's Sixfields ground to see what is possible when the local authorities offer their active co-operation to clubs.

Oxford scouts were apparently in the crowd on Saturday to watch Jody Craddock again.

Cambridge United recorded only their second win this year, courtesy of a Paul Raynor goal on the stroke of half-time. It was a patchy first half performance in which neither team seemed to really get going, with the U's producing occasional flashes of good football but never really troubled.

The goal came from Jamie Barnwell's deep cross from the left, Michael Kyd headed the ball back from the touchline and Paul Raynor prodded home. Billy Beall also had two chances when he broke clear but failed to summon a strong shot.

David Preece had a good game in midfield after returning from injury and Cambridge again looked comfortable without dominating events. Preece even missed his first U's goal by a whisker when his curling free kick was narrowly wide. Hull struggled to find an answer in the second half, but it was all over for them when Duane Darby was dismissed ten minutes from time for his late tackle on Danny Granville. He had already been booked in the first half for scuffling with Matt Joseph after fouling Craddock, and can consider himself lucky to have stayed on the pitch as long as he did. There may be further repercussions after he gesticulated to the crowd on his way to the tunnel.

Elsewhere long-time leaders Fulham went down 2-0 at Lincoln and in a promotion clash Wigan beat Carlisle 1-0 to go top and throw the top of the table wide open. United have to play all three again before the end of the season, with Carlisle and Fulham due at The Abbey.

United line-up: Barrett, Joseph, Granville, Preece, Craddock, Raynor, Ashbee, Barnwell (Richards 81), Taylor, Kyd, Beall.
Subs not used: Thompson, Benjamin
Booked: Beall

Ahead of tomorrow's home fixture against Hull City Roy McFarland has laid down a target for what he sees as a crucial month.

"The game with Hull is one of three at home in February," he said, "and we have to be looking for full points from them after our disappointing January. We are under pressure to win these games, but we can't complain about that because it's pressure we've put on ourselves. Apart from at Scarborough, I don't think we played too badly last month, but we leaked goals."

The other home games this month include the televised clash with promotion rivals Carlisle United, and the re-arranged match with Scunthorpe on the 25th, and three home wins would help to relaunch our faltering promotion campaign.

United skipper Micah Hyde's plans to return for the needle match at Leyton Orient a week on Saturday have been dashed. Physio Ken Steggles thinks it will be at least a fortnight before the key midfielder can expect to return to training after his toe operation.

"They had to straighten out the toe, and because it is weight bearing we can't rush things, "he said. "We don't want to do any damage to the tendons."

Hyde's influence on the side can be measured by the fact that he has missed the last four games and United have lost three. But there was some good news from the treatment room when ever-present defenders Matt Joseph and Danny Granville trained today, and both should be fit for Saturday's home clash with Hull City. Joseph suffered hamstring trouble at Swansea and had to be substituted, while Granville picked up a calf strain in the same match.

Meanwhile centre-back Lee Palmer has joined Vauxhall Conference side Dover on a month's loan, while midfielder Lenny Pack will be undergoing a hernia operation.

In advance of our televised game on the 21st, details are now available on the Sky TV web site:

WEEK 7 FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY 1997
SKY SPORTS 3

19.00 - FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: CAMBRIDGE vs CARLISLE - LIVE Russ Williams presents live coverage of Cambridge against Carlisle, two sides in the Nationwide League third division. Both teams are in hot pursuit of Fulham who have led the division since the start of the season. Three sides go up at the end of the season but a game between promotion rivals at this stage of the season could have significant consequences on the title race. Carlisle will have been enthused by their exciting FA Cup which took them into the fourth round. With commentary from Rob Hawthorne

It's very quiet on the news front at the moment so here is some information for Saturday. We host Hull City and you can see their web site here.

Also on Saturday, Brighton And Hove Albion are asking supporters to meet and support their club in its struggle for survival. They chose this Saturday as there are no Premiership fixtures and a restricted Division One programme ahead of the international matches next week.

There may yet be life on the on-off £400,000 transfer of Jody Craddock to Oxford United, which foundered when the defender rejected personal terms. After his team's humiliating televised 4-1 home defeat by Manchester City, Oxford boss Denis Smith could have been hinting at reviving the deal.

Smith is quoted as saying, "Since Matt Elliott left we don't seem to have anybody left who can head the ball. Something has to be done soon. We gave away goals from set-pieces because we didn't have a big man in there to deal with them."

The defeat dealt a huge blow to Oxford's hopes of making up ground on the teams in the play-off places and since last week Smith has had an offer rejected for Bristol Rovers' Andy Tillson and an unnamed First Division defender. He knows Craddock was willing to sign at the end of last week after a change of mind.

Former U's goalkeeper John Vaughan has joined Colchester on a month's loan from Lincoln City.

Our problems are piling up after Friday's defeat saw us drop a further place down the table into fifth. Tony Richards failed a pre-match fitness test on a back injury and key defender Matt Joseph limped off just before the end of last night's 3-1 beating at Swansea. He suffered a hamstring strain that could see him miss the next few matches. Joseph has been United's most consistent player in a faltering campaign and he shares the ever-present record with Danny Granville.

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© Andrea Thrussell 1997-98