Cambridge United leave it late to defeat National League South side St Albans City in pre-season friendly at Clarence Park

Cambridge United recorded a 3-1 victory from their first pre-season friendly in front of supporters of the summer at Vanarama National League South outfit St Albans City this afternoon.

Jack Lankester – operating in the number 10 role – was one of United’s brightest sparks during the first half and it was he that had the game’s first meaningful effort when he jinked in from the right flank and saw a left-footed shot deflected over in the 12th minute.

And it was from the resultant corner that the U’s took the lead. George Thomas’ initial effort only found the first St Albans defender, but the clearance fell kindly for him and he then whipped in an inswinging delivery that Harrison Dunk glanced in at the near post. It was a case of continuing where he left off for the popular left-back, who ended the previous campaign with three crucial goals in six appearances during the run-in.

Up the other end the hosts’ number 11 – named as Trialist A on the teamsheet – forced United goalkeeper Jack Stevens into action in the 31st minute with a shot from 20 yards out that bounced awkwardly, yet the new addition got down well to hold the ball.

However, four minutes later the winger did manage to get the better of Stevens when he ghosted in at the back post and squeezed in the equaliser.

Just after the hour mark United boss Mark Bonner swapped his entire team, bringing on a number of last season’s FA Youth Cup quarter-finalists alongside goalkeeper James Holden, Jubril Okedina, Saikou Janneh, Lewis Simper and a trialist, who played on the right of a front three.

In truth it was a second half – as many pre-season friendlies do – that lacked intensity. Zane Barton had St Albans’ best opportunity early on with a driven shot that was well blocked by Ryan Bennett, while up the other end George Sandiford – who recently signed his first professional deal with the club – grazed the crossbar with a delivery from wide on the left.

The game looked to be petering out towards a draw but with seven minutes remaining young forward Brandon Njoku got the ball under his control and then from 10 yards out he found the bottom corner.

United’s third goal came three minutes from time with a move that was worked down the right before Kai Yearn’s driven effort was spilled by the trialist home goalkeeper, leaving Janneh with the simplest of tap-ins.

- Cambridge: Stevens, L Bennett, R Bennett, Morrison (C), Dunk, Digby, Thomas, Lankester, Brophy, Okenabirhie, Ahadme

- Second XI: Holden, Scales, Okendia, Caskey-Evans, Sandiford, Simper, Hoddle, Yearn, Janneh, Trialist, Njoku

- Attendance: 776