March
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Cambridge are the visitors to Ninian Park on Saturday in a game that could go a long way to ensuring either clubs survival in Div 2. The U's are 4 points ahead of City having played a game more. It is vital that Cardiff can get the win that will give them a better than even chance of staying up. My good friend Andrea Thrussell runs a high quality Cambridge Utd website and it is with her cooperation that I can bring you a report on Cambridge Utd.

The players in the picture are (left to right):
Back row: Darren Cockrill (since released), Andy Duncan, Scott Eustace, Marc Joseph, John Taylor (player coach), Martin McNeil, Ian Ashbee, Paul Wanless, Ben Chenery.
Middle row: Clive Wilson, Larry McAvoy (since released), Trevor Benjamin, Shaun Marshall, Arjan van Heusden, Martin Butler (sold to Reading Feb2000), Jamie Cassidy, Ken Steggles (Physio).
Front row: Tom Youngs, Dean Armstrong (since released), Neil Mustoe, Roy McFarland (Manager), Michael Kyd, Alex Russell, Andy Ingham.
Sitting on grass: Jamie Scales, Adam Wilde. (both since released)
The trophy at Roy's feet is the Division Three runners up trophy for last season.

Not pictured: David Preece (player coach), Adam Tann, Neil Mackenzie, Jason Kavanagh, Zema Abbey, John Hansen.

Cambridge are managed by former England hero Roy McFarland. The U's have had a good relationship with Cardiff over the last couple of seasons. Last year they were promoted as runners up to Brentford with City finishing third. Cambridge Utd v Cardiff City on Dec 28th 1999 will probably go down as the game of the season for City. Cambridge do not seel the same way. City managed to achieve a goalless draw with only 8 players on the field. One of the match reports after that game started with the paragraph

"Just when you think things can't get any worse being a Cambridge United supporter, something happens that makes you realise it can! I think failing to score against 8 men is more embarrassing than a defeat at the hands of a non-league team! (Don't remind of this when we next lose to a non-league team though)."

It was a remarkable occasion. The passion betwen the 500 travelling City fans and the players was unbelievable. To see the emotion in the faces of Richie Humphreys and Kevin Nugent, two strikers that played half of the match as centre halves was something I'll remember for a long time.

McFarland holds weekly questions and answers session with Moosenet. Yesterday's discussion made reference to todays game. Roy was asked the following questions.

Q. Moving back to the first team, a truly huge game this weekend when we travel to Cardiff City. If there ever was a six-pointer then this must be it?

Every game we have played over the last few months have been big games. Let's not forget that we were bottom of this division not so long away. We have fought and got ourselves into a position sixth from bottom and in the safety zone. It is not as if one game is going to phase us out and even if we lost the game on Saturday - which we won't - doesn't mean it is the end of the world.

There are still a few games left and a lot to play for. There is no mistake though, this is a big game for us. We are four points ahead of Cardiff and they have a game in hand on us. If we were to come away from the game with a point or a win then that would really knock them and boost us.

Q. Have you any injury problems going into the game?

No. The only problem I had last Saturday was with John Taylor who had a slight problem with his thigh. He managed to finish the game but he has had quite a bit of treatment this week. He has trained today and looks sharp and raring to go.

Cambridge lost their last away game 0 - 1 at Oldham. Prior to that they have been on a bit of a roll. Wins at Notts County, Bury and Scunthorpe, with draws at Brentford and Luton. At home the U's have been in pretty good form too. They lost a 7 goal thriller against Wrexham on March 18th but followed that up with wins over Oxford and Bury and then a creditable 1 - 1 draw against Bristol Rovers last Saturday.

Their main threat will come from Trevor Benjamin. The young striker has scored in the last 8 games he has played in. The 6'2, 21 year old has been on fire recently and will need to be kept out. He could be the key. Stop him from Scoring in his 9th consecutive game and we are in for a fair chance of getting something out of this game.

Cambridge also have experienced keeper Lionel Perez in their team. The former Sunderland stopper has joined cambridge on loan from Newcastle until the end of the season.