Cambridge United made a winning start to life back in Sky Bet League One as they got the new campaign underway with a determined 3-2 victory over Wigan Athletic at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
The curtain-raiser started in emphatic fashion as Kell Watts lashed in an early opener before Louis Appere’s neat finish doubled the advantage to complete a professional first period. Isaac Heath soon marked his league debut with a goal to ensure a healthy lead, but quickfire goals from Sonny Perkins and Akeel Higgins made for a nervy conclusion. Ultimately, United remained firm and focused to seal all three points.
Flash back to May 2025 and it was a bitter end to the U’s last season in the third tier, but an excellent unit was built to help bounce back at the first attempt, where they would host a Latics outfit eager to progress after failing to make the top 10 in their three previous campaigns. Taking great pride in their home form – with just two losses at CB5 throughout 2025/26 – the aim was to utilise that with a positive introduction.
Neil Harris’ first league selection of the season saw him name the solitary change to the side that advanced in the Carabao Cup last weekend against Barnet as Zak Bradshaw came in for Glenn McConnell, who was joined on the bench by new signing Patrick Bauer and Academy prospect Dan Efobi.
Start as you mean to go on was the mantra for United, who required just two minutes to take the roof off CB5 when Watts showcased his goalscoring prowess by firing home the opener. Crafted by Shane McLoughlin’s corner towards the deep post, Mamadou Jobe’s header picked out his centre-back partner whose sweet volley from 12 yards flew into the corner.
Gary Caldwell’s men responded strongly, with the U’s needing to dig in with some blocks and force a couple of balls behind following deliveries into the box. Nonetheless, apart from Dara Costelloe’s dipping header, the visitors had been nullified in the opening stages.
Up the other end, Bradshaw’s long throw on 12 was recycled back to Dom Ball, but the captain sliced the chance as it landed on the side netting. Moments later, he had his second bite at the cherry with a clean volley from 20 yards, but it was claimed by Joe Walsh in the middle of the goal.
On top of proceedings – and with everything flowing down the left side - Bradshaw was combining well with Heath as Cambridge continued to force the 2013 FA Cup winners deep and rack up the corners.
A neat move down the left from Wigan on 24 saw Jon Mellish whip in a cross which was met by the head of Costelloe, but Jake Eastwood watched it float over the woodwork, before a free-kick shortly after from the outskirts of the box from a left angle by Fraser Murray was punched away by the U’s number one.
Shortly after the half hour mark, Cambridge has breathing space as they stretched their lead courtesy of a fast break. A fantastic surge forwards from Heath saw him poke through to Appere, who was very clever in taking a neat touch and immediately slotting underneath Walsh, allowing him to wheel away in celebration.
The game control was impeccable from here, with the U’s retaining an element of calmness in and out of possession to allow the half to peter out.
Following the break, Harris’ men found themselves in dreamland on the 52nd minute as they obtained their third of the afternoon. Nice link-up play from Ben Knight and Liam Bennett down the right allowed McLoughlin to drill towards the bottom corner – although it was kept out, there was no stopping Heath to swipe in from yards out to send the Newmarket Road End delirious.
With the comfortable cushion behind them, United were now able to orchestrate play. Although possession heavily favoured Wigan, it wasn’t where they wanted it. Substitute K’Marni Miller had an opportunity open up to him on the 62nd minute just inside the area, he opted for power but generated too much height.
Midway through the second half, the Tics were able to break down an organised defence when Higgins’ venomous shot from distance rattled off the post and on a plate for Perkins, who dribbled into the net to provide hope.
Time still on their side to force a comeback, a heavy spell of pressure saw the U’s camp back against the visitors, who on 71 saw Perkins again strike at the near post but Eastwood did well to paw behind with his glove.
A minute later, Caldwell’s side shortened the advantage to make it 3-2 as Higgins turned home Costelloe’s pinpoint cross at the back post.
Immediate changes followed for the men in amber as Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Sullay Kaikai were drafted in, before Appere made way for Shayne Lavery with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Despite the setback, the U’s were able to calm things down and shut the game down. Roared on by all four sides of the ground as five minutes of additional time was indicated, the team rallied on to secure a winning start and a rendition of Coconuts.
Up next, the U’s are on the road for the first time next Saturday (22 August) as they do battle with fellow newboys Bromley at Hayes Lane.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Jobe, Watts, Perry, Bennett, Ball, McLoughlin, Bradshaw (Bauer, 90+4’), Knight (Kaikai, 73’), Heath (Mpanzu, 73’), Appere (Lavery, 79’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, McConnell, Efobi
Goalscorers: Watts (02’), Appere (33’), Heath (52’)
Bookings: Bradshaw
Wigan Athletic: Walsh, Mellish, Fox, Chapman (Harris, 46’), Barrett (Miller, 58’), Power, Weir, Murray, Sze (Higgings, 59’), Costelloe (McManaman, 86’), Perkins
Subs Not Used: Watson, Chilokoa-Mullen, Rimmer
Goalscorers: Perkins (68’), Higgins (73’)
Bookings:
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Attendance: 7,506 (754 away fans)
