Having knocked United out of the F.A. Trophy last month Tommy Widdrington brought his Salisbury City side back to the Abbey in the middle of their double header Trophy Semi-Final with Barrow. Although many home fans expected their minds to be on Saturdays return leg it was the Wiltshire side that took the lead with a forty-yarder from their goal scoring sensation Matt Tubbs. A goal that stunned the Abbey but didn't seem to shock his manager who was despite the defeat very upbeat as he spoke about the game.

"Matt Tubbs' goal was something special. As soon as it left his foot I thought it was going in because of where the keeper was positioned. In fairness Cambridge had a goal almost as good in their second - that was a really good hit as well. In fact all four goals scored on the night were excellent. The difference between the two teams was that Cambridge were the more ruthless of the two. They had less chances and created less work for the goalkeeper. If we had matched their ruthlessness we would have scored double the goals they did.

"On the whole it was a good performance from us despite the result. I can't knock my lads at all, we had umpteen chances at goal, great pressure at their end and this is place that in the past we would have looked up to coming here. I just felt we took the game to Cambridge throughout. I don't like losing any game but I'd rather lose a game playing like that than I would in any other manner. It was a great game for any neutral, plenty of action, good football and great individual performances."

One thing that did cast as shadow for the City boss was one particular decision that he felt warranted a spot kick for his side.

"Without sounding too bitter I felt we had one stonewall penalty. Unless I was seeing things, one of our lads threw himself full length and saved the ball with his hand and that's what must of happened as no penalty was given. At that point I looked at Martin and he had his head in his hands so I knew what he thought about it. But you are not supposed to talk about the officials but they do have a massive effect on the game. It's supposed to even itself out but I just don't see much evenness at the moment."

Speaking exclusively to cambridgeunited.com the City boss reflected on how much the United side had altered since we last met it the Trophy and reiterated his respect for United manager Martin Ling.

"At the end of the day there are people in charge of football clubs that I class as football people, Martin is one of them. He's a very shrewd lad, he's not as animated as me on the pitch but I know he knows the game well and he wants big things for his football club. There have been six or seven changes from the last time we came here, which was only about a month ago. He is getting his players in the right positions for what he sees as the strongest possible way to progress. It doesn't surprise me at all that it is already showing in your results. Cambridge have an excellent following that are really enthusiastic for their club and when you play like you did tonight the team and fans will be a match for any team in this league."

Interview by David Gray


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