The youth team knocked Harlow Town out of the second round of the Eastern Junior Plate at the Abbey Stadium tonight, all three goals coming from outstanding midfielder Owen Paynter. United travel to Stevenage Borough in the third round.

Will Jones reports:
Young midfielder Owen Paynter bagged a hattrick during a pulsating display and his strikes in the 24th, 34th and 62nd minutes of the game rounded off his overall performance where he dominated the Harlow midfield. Only a late strike from Raich Fraser blotted the score line, as he beat James Mercer with a low drive.

There were some fine performances from a number of players, and the whole side showed exactly why they are now considered one of the leading forces in East Anglian youth football. Demba Traore, a Trevor Benjamin clone, was a menace throughout the evening with Alex Revell putting in a typically determined performance alongside him.

Cambridge United: James Mercer, Graham Rush, Daniel Huggins, David Bridges, William Grisdale, Franco Nacca (c), Owen Paynter, Duncan Lockhart, Alex Revell, Demba Traore, Jonathan Heathcote.
Subs: Alim Kamara, Darren Cox, Kevin Winkworth, Ricky George.

Harlow Town: James Bender, Danny Campbell, Adam Sontag, Phil Bulled, James Ellice, Tom Nelson, Raich Fraser, Danny Seven, Michael Moore, Ross Tupper, Ashley Conlan.
Subs: Jeremiah Lyons, Daniel Jones, Andrew Wackett, Dave Deacon.