The final encounter of Cambridge United’s pre-season schedule ahead of the Sky Bet League Two season saw them warm up with a 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
It proved to be a valuable workout for the U’s against a side two levels above, who refused to back down following Miles Leaburn’s opener 30 minutes in. Finding a way back courtesy of a strong second-half display, substitute George Hoddle was on hand to ensure a tie and conclude the preparations.
Ready to accumulate that final 90 minutes in the tank, Neil Harris’ team selection consisted of starts for summer signings Jake Eastwood, Ben Purrington, Dominic Ball and Ben Knight, with a trialist also named in the XI.
It was almost the perfect start for the hosts, who just one minute in were able to release Ryan Loft in a one-on-one position following a tidy win from Liam Bennett down the right. Overcoming the offside trap, the striker raced towards Thomas Kaminski inside the area and attempted a lob, but the Belgian was confident in matching it.
The weather was quite the contrary for what you’d expect in late July, with the rain lashing down on the pristine playing surface during the opening stages.
Nonetheless, United were giving a good account of themselves, particularly with how they built up play. On 14, a Knight corner was met by Michael Morrison’s leap at the front post, but he couldn’t get the angles right as the header was blasted over.
Showcasing industry in the middle of the park, Ball was brave in the tackle on numerous occasions to spearhead an attack. Following Loft’s touch down, Sullay Kaikai and Purrington both linked up well down the left, with the former blasting a near-post shot which was inches wide of Kaminski’s right stick.
Deadlock was broken on the half hour mark when Greg Docherty tested his luck from outside of the box – it was parried by Eastwood and towards an unmarked Leaburn, who slotted home from a matter of yards out.
The half would peter out from here, with the last attempt of note falling to the Addicks on the 40th minute when Rob Apter whipped in a teasing cross to Micah Mbick on the turn, whose touch towards goal from 12 yards out was claimed by Eastwood.
After 15 minutes of recuperation, Cambridge continued with their front-footed approach and were certainly taking the game to their Championship opponents.
On the 54th minute, a break was sparked when Loft poured forwards and teed up a scampering Kaikai to his left. The Sierra Leone man was in, but from 20 yards picked out a first-time curler instead of a touch, which didn’t generate the power to trouble Kaminski.
Strong interplay a few moments later helped carve out a strong opportunity for the U’s, which concluded with Kaikai drilling a distanced attempt wide of the mark.
This sparked 10 changes for the London outfit, with the likes of Macaulay Gillesphey, Sonny Carey and Conor Coventry all drafted in for the final 30.
For Harris’ men, it was a substitute of their own who made the difference on 68 when Hoddle levelled matters – a worthy goal considering their intensity. Started by the Academy graduate, who lunged to win back the ball and kick-start a break, the finishing touch was almost provided by Loft, only to be denied by a block on the line. This turned into a brief moment of pinball but landed invitingly to Hoddle, who stabbed into the roof of the net.
That was to be it for the action at the Abbey, with full focus diverted towards the curtain-raiser for the 2025/26 campaign here at CB5 next weekend (2nd August) as the U’s welcome Michael Flynn’s Cheltenham Town – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett, Morrison, Watts, Purrington, Brophy, Ball, Trialist (Hoddle, 65’), Kaikai (Kachunga, 80’), Knight (Gibbons, 80’), Loft (Munday, 85’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Ibsen Rossi, McKoy, Bradshaw, Jobe
Goalscorers: Hoddle (68’)
Bookings:
Charlton Athletic: Kaminski, Trialist A (Coventry, 60’), Jones (Olaofe, 60’), Bell (Z. Mitchell, 60’), Rankin-Costello (Gillesphey, 60’), Docherty (Asiimwe, 60’ (Fullah, 83’), Apter (A. Mitchell, 60’), Edwards (Anderson, 60), Mbick (Carey, 60’), Campbell (Trialist B, 60’), Leaburn (Kanu, 60’)
Subs Not Used: Maynard-Brewer, Reid, Ahadme
Goalscorers: Leaburn (30’)
Bookings: Mbick
Referee: Neil Hair
Attendance: 2003 (330 away fans)
