Cambridge United continued their pre-season preparations by accumulating another important 90 minutes in the tank as they shared a goalless draw with Northampton Town at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
Neil Harris opted with a similar starting XI to the one that overcame Preston North End during a sweltering Spanish trip, with the three changes seeing Callum Perry, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Glenn McConnell all appear from the off.
Eyeing up a front-footed start, the hosts were first to probe with just a minute on the clock when Isaac Heath and Ben Knight combined down the right to find Gassan Ahadme whose strike was on target but smothered away for a corner by Zach Jeacock at the near post.
The Cobblers claimed their first attempt at goal on the 5th minute when Kamari Swyer weaved down the right and picked out Elliott List with a cross, whose first-time snapshot was low and claimed by Jake Eastwood.
Adapting to the conditions as the minutes passed, Ahadme was leading the line well against a physical defence and United were working the ball wide, but Chris Hogg’s men were growing as Swyer teed up James Maxwell on the left, who had time to float into the six-yard box but Eastwood was there to rush out.
Knight almost nestled in a sublime opener on the 22nd minute when his speculative left-footed free-kick from 25 yards generated enough dip to test Jeacock, who required reflexes to paw the ball behind.
Although the U’s had leapfrogged Northampton in the Football League ladder, the visitors accumulated a couple of notable opportunities to conclude a competitive first 45, with Logan Briggs flashing a venomous shot over the crossbar and a fierce Swyer attempt matched by Eastwood’s glove on the cusp of the whistle.
Opting with a switch at the break, Harris handed out minutes to trialist defender Liam McAlinney, but it was up the other end where the U’s were their most productive. Peeling past his man and sparking a counter, Ahadme’s endeavour allowed Liam Bennett to pull the trigger inside the box, but lines were cleared.
On the 52nd minute, Cambridge’s defensive resolve was tested when substitute Harvey Saunders was found unmarked inside the penalty area – he picked his spot and drilled on target but a stubborn block from McAlinney denied a possible opener.
The hour mark dished up the best opportunity of the match when an exceptional lofted ball from Shane McLoughlin found Perry down the left, whose pinpoint and deep cross was on a plate for Ahadme at the back post – the thunderous volley was smashed against the crossbar, almost the perfect reward for a slick move.
It was Briggs’ turn to smash the woodwork a couple of minutes later from distance, which cued a hydration break as the Head Coach introduced Kell Watts and Dom Ball, whilst the Cobblers made a trio of changes including Sam Hoskins and Matty Warhurst.
A golden chance fell to the way of Saunders on 78 as the Shoe Army gradually advanced play. Connor Evans’ shot deflected kindly into the path of Saunders whose slice flashed across the face of goal.
The U’s were agonisingly close to breaking deadlock a few minutes later when Ahadme was picked out inside the six-yard box by an exceptional delivery by Zak Bradshaw down the left. The lively forward got his head to it to seemingly bundle home but it was forced away by Jeacock.
With the last kick of the game, Shayne Lavery was released out wide and scampered towards the box, but his low drill was claimed once more by Jeacock, putting to an end a workmanlike evening for both sides, with the momentum swaying throughout but ultimately not enough cutting edge to break down strong defensive shapes.
The U’s now take on Norwich City in a behind-closed-doors friendly next Tuesday in their final piece of preparation before the 2026/27 campaign gets underway next weekend (8th August) when they do battle with Barnet at the Cledara Abbey. Be sure to back the boys as they look to progress in the Carabao Cup.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Jobe (Watts, 67’), Bauer (McAlinney, 46’), Perry (Bradshaw, 79’), Bennett, McLoughlin (Ball, 67’), Mpanzu, Heath, Knight (Lavery, 79’), McConnell, Ahadme
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Appere, Battrum (T), Herd, McDougald
Goalscorers:
Northampton Town: Jeacock, Maxwell (Saunders, 46’), Guthrie (Campbell, 46’), List (Hoskins, 68’), Swyer (Evans, 68’), Ward, Wormleighton, Briggs (Warhurst, 68’), Perkins, Dyche, Donacien (Moore, 46’)
Subs Not Used: Fitzsimmons, Fornah, Dadge, Dobson, Ashton
Goalscorers:
Referee: Neil Hair
Attendance: 1,705 (103 away fans)
