Cambridge United begin their pre-season schedule on home soil with a two competitive hour-long friendlies against East Anglian rivals Norwich City.
GAME ONE
Cambridge United 0 Norwich City 2
Despite a steady start from the U’s and a disallowed goal for offside against George Maris, two goals in as many minutes from Josh Murphy and Ben Godfrey gave the visiting Canaries a lead going into half time of the first 60 minute encounter.
Having impressed at Royston Town earlier in the week, second year scholar Sam Squire replaced a trialist for the final 20 minutes to continue his experience playing alongside the first team.
Greg Taylor came closest of anyone for the U’s when he headed wide from a George Maris corner, but the opening match finished 0-2 to the visitors.
Cambridge United XI Game One | Mitov, Halliday, Legge, Darling, Taylor, Maris, Berry, Lewis, Trialist, Elito, Ikpeazu – Subs Used | Squire (Trialist)
Norwich City's XI: Gunn; Martin, Zimmermann, Klose, Wildschut, Vrancic, Godfrey, Husband; Naismith, Jerome, Jo. Murphy. – Sub Used | Franke (Klose)
GAME TWO
Cambridge United 0 Norwich City 0
The U’s were far more competitive in the second encounter and created the better openings in front of goal.
Former Carlisle United man Jabo Ibehre latched on to the end of a well-delivered Harrison Dunk cross in the early minutes, but headed wide at the near post.
A deep cross from Mingoia was headed back across goal by McGurk for Ibehre, but the big striker saw his shot saved at close range by Norwich keeper Matthews.
Much like the first half, a combination of Dunk cross to Ibehre header almost unlocked the Norwich defence, but on this occasion the connection from the centre forward was not quite right and forced a comfortable save from Remi Matthews.
Mingoia came close with a fiercely struck effort on his left foot which found only the Newmarket Road End, before Mark Roberts had a goal chalked off for offside.
Cambridge United XI Game Two | Mitov, Davies, Roberts, Coulson, Dunk, Mingoia, Osadebe, Deegan, Trialist, McGurk, Ibehre – Subs Used – Foy (Ibehre)
Norwich City XI: Matthews; Godfrey, Zimmermann, Franke; Murphy, Tettey, Maddison Lewis; Naismith, Oliveira, Pritchard – Subs Used – Vrancic (Pritchard)
Attendance: 2,663