August
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Cork kept Thorne on the bench on Saturday until the 58th minute his reasoning was

"He was in hospital for his medical all day Wednesday and he didn't get to training until 11.45am on Thursday. It was a bit unfair to put him straight in. It's been a big move for him. It's a new environment, new people. It can be stressful."

Cork then said that Thorne would start against The Cobblers.

Cork was harsh on his players after the defeat

"It's very hard to play when five players are not doing their jobs properly," he said. "I've pointed a few things out to the lads and told them a few home truths. We've got a big squad now and there are players eager to take their places. That was mentioned.

"In the end we've been beaten by a free-kick, a long throw and our own stupidity. Players can't carry on making the same mistakes. It doesn't matter how good a footballer you are, you have to battle your way into a game.

"In the first half we were sloppy and we didn't get the ball out wide enough. We've got good players at the club and it's disappointing when they don't perform.

"Cambridge battled well but we made schoolboy mistakes and my players learned a harsh lesson."

While Cork blamed the players the fans were baffled by Cork's tactics. The statement that it was stressful for Thorne did not go down well. "Stress is getting up at 5am for a 12 hour shift" was quoted by one unhappy fan who was at the game. The supporters, 900 of them, were subjected to a poor performace and to see Leo on his own upfront with no support against a team bottom of the table was hard to swallow. It was obvious that City's tactics were not working but it took an hour before anything was changed. City then picked up but the it was only when Leon Jeanne came on with only 8 mins to go that City looked like getting something from the game.

The only saving grace for Cork, the players and the fans is that we have another game so soon. A good win over Northampton and a good team performace will erradicate some of the memories from Cambridge. Anything less and the pressure on Alan Cork will increase.

The final insult came from Cambridge striker and scorer of their fist goal Dave Kitson. The 18 year old rookie was playing for non-league club Arlesey Town last season and he said of City's defence

"I've played against better than you in the Ryman League"