MATCH REPORT - FA YOUTH CUP – CAMBRIDGE UNITED U18s 4 BEACONSFIELD U18s 1

Cambridge United progressed into the second round of the FA Youth Cup with a comfortable 4-1 home win over Beaconsfield SYCOB at the Cambs Glass Stadium.

Matt Foy gave United the perfect start, pouncing on a mistake from the Beaconsifeld goalkeeper to tap in from close range and put the U’s into the driving seat.

The forward doubled United’s lead midway through the half, arriving unmarked at the far post to volley in Leon Davies’ cross on 23 minutes.

Harry Darling climbed well onto the end of a long Josh Emmins’ set piece delivery before crashing an effort against the post, which had Beaconsfield keeper Seung Kim at full stretch ten minutes before the break.

The visitors pulled a goal back shortly after half time, when Finley iron was unable to keep hold of a long range effort from Daniel Fosu. However, the U’s responded well with Ben Worman rattling in a fine left-footed strike from 30 yards out to restore United’s two goal advantage.

A tricky turn and a blistering run from Tom Knowles gave the winger the chance to extend that lead after the hour mark, which the youngster took with ease to complete a 4-1 score line.

Commenting post-match, Academy Manager Mark Bonner said: “We have played better than that this season, but sometimes you can underestimate how much the competition takes out of the players, not so much playing in the Stadium, but just how much this game can be built up.

“We did what we needed to do because if you want to go on a run in this competition then you have to start by winning game one. It wasn’t the best performance but overall we are happy with the outcome.

“It is great to learn what we can from this early stage, but importantly we are into the next round with a strong group of players. In terms of the round two we are looking for a draw that we can achieve a victory in, but whatever comes we’ll look to give it a real go.”

Cambridge United: Iron, Davies, Emmins, Bell-Toxtle, Darling, Shaw, Lea, Watkins, Foy, Worman, Knowles

Attendance: 158