Saturday 30 August 2003 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division

With Jim Rollo and Frankie Bennett added to the ever-increasing injury list following Monday’s defeat at Dorchester, City handed a debut to new signing Mitch Counsell and a first start to 18-year old winger Steve Bridges. In contrast the visitors were able to name an unchanged side for the fifth match in succession. Bridges was immediately involved in the action, sending in a low cross that keeper Davies just managed to reach ahead of Mark Salter. The half-fit City striker then headed a Drew Shore free-kick just over the bar. Another Bridges’ cross was put wide by Salter before Cambridge finally twice tested Mark Bryant. Godbold’s 20-yard shot was straight at the keeper and he then turned Pope’s well-struck effort away for a corner. The Lilywhite’s were beginning to gain the upper hand so it was against the run of play that City took the lead after 37 minutes. Salter began the move finding Andy Williams on the right flank. His cross picked out Counsell who headed against the post. The rebound dropped perfectly to Danny Cleverley and he lashed it home from ten yards. However, this lead only lasted five minutes. A poor header from Williams looped up into the air. Bryant initially looked to come for it but retreated and despite being surrounded by three defenders Simpson was allowed to head home via the post. Just before the interval a dipping 25-yard shot from Counsell almost took Davies by surprise with Bridges just failing to reach his fumble ahead of a defender.

Scott Hendy headed the first chance of the second half over the bar on 47 minutes and Adam Howarth repeated the trick ten minutes later. Two minutes after this the visitors grabbed the lead. It began with City breaking out defence through Bridges and Williams. As the latter crossed the halfway line he way floored by Riddle. The referee inexplicably waved play-on and Riddle advanced before pushing it forward towards Simpson. It wasn’t a good pass and Coupe had time to clear but he tried to take one touch too many allowing the striker to nip in and fire his second goal past Bryant. City were far from out of the game and Salter should have done better minutes later than head wide with a badly positioned Davies stranded. This hope took a blow on 67 minutes when Trought attempted to drag the ball away from a prone Simpson near the halfway line. There seemed little malice in the challenge but the referee viewed otherwise and showed City’s captain a red card for stamping. Cambridge were now happy to sit back with their man advantage although they nearly grabbed a third, Bryant denying Simpson a hat-trick with a good save. Steve Tweddle almost sent Josh Jefferies clear in the closing minutes and then ended a strong run with a shot into the side-netting but this was as close as City came to grabbing a late equaliser.