This report is from Amber and Black:
Cambridge United clawed back some pride after their embarrassing opening day defeat by ten-man Forest Green with a victory against Hereford United.
Roared on by a crowd of almost 3,000 despite the match being televised live on Sky, the U's got off to a slow start, but gathered momentum after Hereford squandered early chances.
They got a huge boost two minutes before the break when youth team midfielder Steve Smith hammered a 20-yarder past goalkeeper Craig Mawson.
And although Hereford equalized through the always dangerous Guy Ipoua just after the hour, they never looked like causing the kind of damage which brought them four second-half goals against Scarborough on Saturday.
Cambridge, who were only hours away from going out of business during the summer, sent their faithful fans wild in the 70th minute when John Turner's shot was deflected to the feat of David Bridges who drove a low angled drive inside the far post.
Smith's goal was also a quality strike from 20 yards, whereas Hereford's was something of a gift, Ipoua heading home from only three yards following a corner.
Hereford were ruing their first-half carelessness when Jon Brady sliced the ball across the face of goal and Adam Stansfield had an effort blocked on the goal-line by centre-back Andy Duncan.
It took some time for Cambridge's nerves to settle in their first match outside the Football League in front of their own fans for 35 years, but the side which contained only four survivors from the League Two line-up began to knit together well in the second half.
There was an anxious end for them however as Hereford were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box in stoppage time. Brady blasted the ball in and the rebound fell to Tamika Mkandawire, who could only scoop it over the crossbar from close range.
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Home Against Kidderminster In The League On Boxing Day 26th December At 1.00pm