YOUTH TEAM: Peterborough United 1 Cambridge United 5
Cambridge United scholars warmed up in good fashion for Tuesday’s FA Youth Cup tie with Beaconsfield with a romping 5-1 victory at local rivals Peterborough.
It was the U’s who narrowly came out on top in the earlier meeting in the Youth Alliance Cup in September, and with The Posh having made changes to their line up after their own Youth Cup victory in midweek, the U’s set about getting ahead and on top of the game early.
They couldn’t have started much better, Ben Worman opening the scoring inside the first five minutes with a free header following a Josh Emmins corner. Joe Neal doubled the lead after just seven minutes, tapping in the rebound from a Worman effort which was well saved.
Worman nearly grabbed his second after a mazy dribble saw him one on one, only for his effort again to be saved and would have wished he had done better on this occasion.
Midway through the half, an excellent team goal after some quality build up from back to front, Lee Watkins scored a rebounded effort and dispatched it well on the bounce from 12 yards to make it 3-0.
With ten minutes before the break, the U’s were not relenting and the pressure paid off, an Emmis cross turned into his own net by The Posh full back. While just before the interval, Neal added his second, a neat finish from a Prince Mutswunguma cross to cap off an emphatic first half performance.
With the FA Youth Cup tie in mind, United made changes throughout the second half and played with less intensity and tempo during the next 45 minutes, spurning two good opportunities before Posh pulled back a consolation goal, finishing from a cross.
The scholars were denied a penalty late on but will have been pleased with the result and the first half performance.
Mark Bonner said: “We were excellent first half, ruthless, positive and intense. We played exciting, fast football and looked a threat every time we attacked.
“In the second half, we were less threatening and played the game out well with Tuesday in mind.
“We have now played everyone in the league once and face the top two in the next two games with Leyton Orient and Luton on the next two Saturdays. We are ready for that challenge and sitting in third place following an exceptional run of form in the league, we now want to continue that against the best sides.”
Team; Iron, Shaw, Emmins, Darling (Johnson 75), Squire, Bell-Toxtle, Watkins (Lea 60), Mutswunguma, Worman (Bennett 70), Neal, Foy (Knowles 60). Not Used: Davies
You can support the Youth Team in their FA Youth Cup opening round clash with Beaconsfield SYCOB at the Cambs Glass Stadium. Tickets are just £5 for adults and £1 for U18s, and can be purchased online or at the ticket office before kick-off.