Cambridge United were forced to show good persistence in their fourth pre-season outing as the U’s came through with a 1-4 win over Chelmsford City.
Joe Dunne’s men produced another confident display in stifling conditions and on a testing surface in Essex.
Jevani Brown struck the post and Paul Lewis went close with a header in a goalless first half, in which United were made to show good defensive discipline as their Conference South opponents gave the U’s their toughest pre-season challenge to date.
Following a full outfield switch up at the break, the U’s wasted no time in breaking the deadlock when Harrison Dunk directed David Amoo’s cross into the net from close range, in a United move that had been built up brilliantly from the back by Sam Squire, Gary Deegan and Brad Halliday.
Joe Dunne’s men soon doubled the lead, as Ade Azeez galloped on to the end of Squire’s perfect pass over the top before the striker calmly lobbed the keeper to score his fifth of pre-season.
The hosts did not back down though and continued to compete across the park. They pulled one back through centre back Swaine, who latched onto a corner delivery before catching a sweet half volley that arrowed past Dimitar Mitov.
However United had generally taken control of the encounter, and when Harrison Dunk drove into the 18 yard box from the left before zipping a pass into the six yard box, Chelmsford could only turn the ball into their own net with 15 minutes to play.
David Amoo had the final say in the closing stages, when his powerful sprint past the final defender came to end when the winger was dragged down by Chelmsford’s goalkeeper. Amoo dusted himself down to convert the spot kick and confirm United’s continued winning start to pre-season.
United First Half: Mitov, Davies, Taylor, Taft, Norville-Williams, Lewis, Maris, Osadebe, Brown, Lambe, Ibehre
United Second Half: Mitov (Iron), Halliday (Watkins – Watkins then subbed for Knowles), Squire, Darling, Carroll, Deegan, O'Neil, Amoo, Dunk, Foy, Azeez