Cambridge United continued their unbeaten pre-season with a 4-0 win against Gillingham...
The game - which was played behind-closed-doors at the Abbey - saw the U's take control early and never look back. Birthday boy James Brophy got United off to the perfect start after just two minutes, steering in a header from Lankester's chipped cross beyond the reach of the Gills goalkeeper.
The U’s almost doubled their lead 20 minutes later when a Okenabirhie header hits the crossbar from a fierce Danny Andrews cross. Shortly after, his presence in the box paid off when he volleyed home Liam Bennett’s cross from the right hand side, past the Gills goalkeeper.
After good spells of possession for both teams, Jordan Cousins picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area, before gliding into the box and slotting across the keeper with his left foot, to put the U’s 3-0 up going into the break.
The U’s shape stayed the same despite four changes at the break - Digby and Thomas replacing Simper and Cousins, and experience for experience with R. Bennett replacing Morrison, whilst Yearn came on for Lankester in the number 10 position.
The U’s first chance of the second half came from an Andrews corner, which flashed across the face of goal following a deflection, and shortly after a lovely flowing move between Thomas, Yearn and Okenabirhie led to Brophy drawing a foul in the area, giving the referee no choice but to award the U’s a penalty. Okenabirhie stepped up and scored his second of the game, blasting the ball into the bottom corner.
Wholesale changes going into the last 30 minutes meant that Liam Bennett was the only player to play 90 minutes, whilst Sullay Kaikai also got his first run out in Amber and Black along with a return to the Abbey turf for Zeno Ibsen Rossi.
As the game approached 90 minutes the U’s pushed for a fifth, but settled for the four upon the full time whistle, in what was a dominant performance against the Gills. United will hope to carry this positive momentum into Barnet this weekend and into the forthcoming season.