Cambridge United began their 2025 pre-season schedule with a 3-1 win over city rivals, Cambridge City…
The match - which was played at a sold-out FWD-IP Community Stadium - was United's first at The Lilywhites' new ground and Neil Harris' men put in an assured performance to get the Club's pre-season preparations off to the perfect start.
Three new boys started, as Bradshaw, Hughes and Knight were named in the starting XI alongside trialist, Jack Wells-Morrison, Bennett, Gibbons, Morrison, Hoddle, Lavery, Loft and Brophy.
The U's dominated possession in the opening stages with a few half-chances early on, before Ben Knight was awarded a free-kick just outside of the box which was hit just wide of the post.
The domination continued until a 15th minute opener came off the head of the captain, as he connected with a ball in from Bennett to put the U's 1-0 up.
A mix-up at the back for the Lilywhites almost saw a misguided pass roll towards their net, but was saved by keeper, Philp, just in time. Things quickly swung back in City's favour though, as Salako clocked one in past debutant Hughes, into the top right corner in the 22nd minute to equalise.
United aimed to respond quickly with two efforts from Lavery falling just wide in quick succession. This left the score level at the break despite a half full of chances for the boys in Amber.
Neil Harris started the second half at his old Club with a fully changed XI of JJ Briggs in goal, Dawson, Rossi, Watts, Purrington, Ball, McKoy, trialist Elliott Thorpe, Kaikai, Kachunga and Munday.
The U's again, started brightly and after just four minutes, Ibsen-Rossi guides the ball into the back of the net after a lovely ball in from Kaikai to regain the lead.
The pressure on the Lilywhites continued as the ball was largely kept in their own half, with strong chances from Ball and Munday successively, but to no avail.
The half rumbled on with the U's looking largely dominant but, City showed fight towards the latter stages with some entries into the box, but all was ultimately dealt with.
Just just a few minutes to go, the result was put beyond doubt as Kachunga found himself in the right place at the back post to stab home.
All that was left to do for Neil Harris' men was to steer the ship home to round out a cross-city clash at the FWD-IP Community Stadium, and seal their opening pre-season fixture with a 3-1 victory.