Cambridge United’s latest pre-season encounter saw them overcome West Bromwich Albion 1-0 and bank an important 90 minutes in the tank at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
A front-footed approach from both the U’s and the Baggies made for an entertaining start, with Shayne Lavery’s expertly dispatched penalty enough to separate the sides on what proved to be another useful workout.
To mark United’s return to CB5 - and their penultimate friendly before their fourth season back in the third tier - Garry Monk named a strong XI on paper, with five of his summer signings starting from the off. Vicente Reyes donned the sticks, a back five consisted of Jubril Okedina, Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Kell Watts, Danny Andrew and James Gibbons, with Korey Smith in the middle holding and supplying for the likes of James Brophy, Sullay Kaikai, Elias Kachunga and Lavery.
A lively opening to proceedings saw the young visitors draw first blood for a brief moment on the second minute when an inviting cross from their right-back was latched onto by the head of Mo Faal, who powered past Reyes but was denied by an offside decision.
Just a matter of seconds later, United almost drew first blood when Andrew was teed up from 20 yards out at an angle but did tremendously well to test Joe Wildsmith with a barnstormer of a shot, which needed fingertips to prevent a certain top corner goal.
The industrious Lavery showcased his experience on the 11th minute when he punished a defensive mishap by nipping in and pouncing for the ball, before being knocked down in the box and as a result ruthlessly slotting home to his left from the spot.
In spite of a warm evening, the good tempo remained. United’s tasks of playing out from the back and breaking up play centrally was working well, with their next half chance falling to the feet of James Gibbons on 33, who from just outside of the box tried his luck but was denied by a firm Wildsmith stop.
On the brink of the break, the lead was almost extended as a flicked header from Lavery landed on a plate for wing-back Andrew, who had acres of space to take a touch deep down the left and then pull the trigger, which was denied by a scurrying Deago Nelson in the six-yard box.
Following the break, youth prospect Peter Holmes replaced Smith, whereas the visitors named a host of changes approaching the hour mark.
Chances remained at a premium as the night drawn in, with very little goalmouth action from both Monk and Carlos Corberan’s men. A result of that was United’s system, which had remained compact and snuffed out any danger that loomed.
Hoping to capitalise on any mistakes in the final third, a Brophy block from a goal kick landed to the feet of Kaikai, who tested his luck from 30 yards with a lob, but too much height was generated as the shot landed over the crossbar.
On the 81st minute, substitute Reyes Cleary was played in with a neat pass down the flank, who raced in, leaned back and stroked towards the near corner but Norwich City loanee Reyes made himself big to deny with his foot and secure the victory for the hosts.
Up next, the U’s welcome League Two outfit Colchester United at the home of St Neots Town tomorrow afternoon, with the remainder of the squad poised to gain minutes in the tank ahead of next weekend’s season opener.
Cambridge United: Reyes, Okedina, Ibsen Rossi, Watts, Gibbons, Smith (Holmes, 45’), Brophy, Kaikai, Andrew, Kachunga, Lavery
Subs Not Used: Chadwick, McCoy, Grace, Ebanks-Blake
Goalscorers: Lavery (11’)
West Bromwich Albion: Wildsmith (Cann, 58’), Nelson, Taylor (Diomande, 45’), Hall (Walker, 58’), Deeming, Richards, Mfuamba (Dauda, 58’), Sule (Mandey, 58’), Heard (Onyemachi, 45’), Higgins, Faal (Cleary, 58’)
Subs Not Used: Trialist, Chimeziri
Goalscorers:
Referee: Neil Hair
Attendance: 3203 (686 away fans)
Man of the Match: Shayne Lavery