Cambridge United earned a 3-0 win over Braintree Town as United’s pre-season preparations ramped up in earnest...
Kaikai’s early opener was followed up by Watts and Knights’ second half strikes, as the U’s put in a professional performance to earn their third win of pre-season.
Two trialists – Jack Young and Elliot Thorpe – were named in the starting XI, alongside Hughes, Gibbons, Ibsen Rossi, Watts, Bradshaw, Hoddle, Kaikai, Loft and Lavery.
Playing in the all-black third kit for the very first time, it took just 13 minutes for United to go ahead. It was, in truth, their first real effort on goal, but Kaikai took to chance confidently, cutting inside before curling into the far corner to make it 1-0.
Kaikai, who was enjoying a productive pre-season so far, almost doubled the U’s lead moments later, but his powerful effort flew just over the bar from the edge of the box.
Lavery also came close, as he whistled a shot just wide of the post, which turned out to be his final action of the game, as he made way for Munday on 30 minutes in what was a pre-planned substitution.
The U’s went into the break with the lead, as the first half petered out with Harris' men a goal to the good.
There were no changes at the break, and it was another fast start for United, as Kell Watts turned in Kaikai’s corner with a smart finish on his in-step.
The changes were rung on 60 minutes, as Eastwood, Bennett, Morrison, Purrington, Knight, Ball, Brophy and Kachunga all joined the action to play the final half an hour of the game.
Knight made an immediate impression – scoring a few minutes following his introduction after displaying a dazzling piece of skill to work the space inside a crowded area, before finding the net to make it 3-0.
The final changes of the night saw Jobe and McKoy replace Ibsen Rossi and Young, but it was again Knight who had fans off their feet, as a superbly-hit free-kick appeared destined for the top corner, if not for a fine, scrambling save.
The U's had barely allowed Braintree a sight of goal all throughout the match, and they continued to put up a stout defence as the game reached its conclusion.
With just two-and-a-half weeks until the season gets underway, next up for Neil Harris' men is a short training camp in South Wales before a behind-closed-doors fixture against Cardiff City on Friday.
