Cambridge United shrugged away the off-field disruption of last week and Saturday's defeat at home to Barrow with a 3-1 win that showed character, determination and some second half style.

Chris Holroyd set United on the way to the first three points of the season with his 16th minute goal, and although Ebbsfleet equalised at a free kick two minutes into the second half United led again when Jai Reason struck moments later and Holroyd headed his second of the night on 72 to seal the win.

Player-assistant manager Paul Carden praised the U's for bouncing back from the unrest and opening day defeat, saying, "We showed great character. After Saturday it would have been easy to come here to a tough place like this and roll over, but the lads aren't like that and we showed it in abundance tonight.

"We went a goal up, Pottsy made a great save, then we didn't start the second half and they scored from a set piece, which was slack marking and bad defending from us. But we've bounced back and scored two goals and could have scored a few more.

"You have to give Ebbsfleet credit. They've got some big, powerful lads and they put the ball in a good area and sometimes the best defenders in the world can't stop a good ball and a clever run. But I'm sure we'll get better at it because we need to, and character was the big word tonight."

United were under pressure for much of the first half and Carden admitted, "We were delighted to go in a goal up at half-time, but some of our decision-making wasn't what it should be in the first half. We were playing short when maybe we should have gone long and we weren't as composed as we should be when the long ball wasn't on.

"But we tidied that up in the second half and when Chrissy Holroyd plays to his strengths and stays up against their back man and shows his willingness to get in behind them, and when we play to his strengths then we can be a threat to anybody."

Praising the team as a whole, he added, "We put the ball in the right areas, we defended well, we were brave, we didn't mess about in the middle of the pitch, and we turned them around because we felt it was their weakness. As the game went on that was proved and we got more and more chances when we got in behind them.

"We'll take any win away from home, but especially at a tough place like this because they'll take points off teams here."

Reviewing his two games in charge, Paul was pleased with the clinical finishing on show against Ebbsfleet, and particularly Chris Holroyd putting training ground work into practice.

"I think we've seen both sides of it," he said. "On Saturday we passed the ball in little triangles with good movement up to the final third. Today it wasn't so incisive at times because they didn't let us play that way, but when we got into the final third we were a lot more clinical.

"We put the ball into the box early, we made them defend and our movement in the box was good and I'm pleased with Chrissy Holroyd getting two goals from things we worked on in training on Monday.

"I'm delighted with everyone's performance tonight and hopefully this week somebody else can come in and take the mantle because it's not mine," he concluded.

"I'd like that sorted before the next game, but if not then I'm glad to help and I'll do all I can to make sure the lads have the best chance of being up there at the end of the season.

"With performances like that I think we won't be far away."

Our next scheduled match is at Chester City on Saturday at 3pm. The Football Conference issued the following statement on Tuesday:

Whilst discussions continue between the Football Conference and the Football Association, concerning the transfer of membership of Chester City FC Ltd to Chester City FC (2004) Ltd, the match between Chester City & Gateshead scheduled for Tuesday 11 August 2009 has been postponed. Both clubs have been advised.

A meeting between representatives of the Football Conference and the Football Association has been arranged for Thursday 13 August in an attempt to draw this matter to a conclusion.

It is anticipated Chester City's fixture at home to Cambridge United on Saturday 15 August will proceed as scheduled.

[Match report] [Fixture list]

You are respectfully reminded that any article, as with all content on this website, unless otherwise stated, is subject to copyright © and the Official Cambridge United Website must be acknowledged as the original source including all quotes.

AT090811 web@cambridge-united.co.uk