League One Cambridge United came from behind to win this pre-season friendly as Dominic Samuel continued his pre-season scoring form for the Fleet. The visitors fielded a side of likely first-team starters in the EFL who were quick to take advantage of their openings.
The Kuflink Stadium support had to wait 10 minutes before any action and it was the visitors who claimed the first chance of the match. Shayne Lavery found himself through on goal and dispatched a shot from close range. Mark Cousins was called into action to tip the ball clear of the goal but George Munday arrived for the follow-up, his effort ricocheting off the crossbar.
Minutes later, the hosts responded and found the breakthrough with 12 minutes on the clock. Samuel secured his sixth of the pre-season campaign with a dashing run through on goal to dispatch a shot for the Fleet’s opener.
Cousins was once again called into action, Munday again firing on target but he was unable to fire the ball past the gloves of the Fleet goalkeeper.
Play settled down and Jim Kellermann nearly caught the Cambridge defence napping. Winning possession in midfield, he came forward and his curling effort from distance was off target.
Kwame Thomas sent a chance just wide before Cambridge got an equaliser moments before half-time. A deflected effort from James Brophy from the edge of the area looped into the back of the net for 1-1.
The two sides headed into the break level and it would be the Fleet with the strongest chance in the opening few minutes after the restart when Thomas struck one on target but U’s goalkeeper Reyes kept that one close to his chest.
Cambridge went on the front foot and secured the lead just beyond the hour mark. Sullay Kaikai with a quick one-on-one saw him slot the ball past Cousins. Dominic Poleon came close to an equaliser when he skipped through the Cambridge defence with the ball at his feet. The effort was a good one but Cambridge were able to block.
A third goal arrived for the League One visitors and it was Kaikai once again. A very similar goal to his first, he broke through on goal and slotted the ball past the Fleet keeper to make it 3-1.
The final chance of the game saw Luke O’Neill fire a shot towards goal from a free-kick but his effort floated just off target and it was a strong Cambridge side who could claim the prize of ending Fleet’s 100% start to pre-season.
