CUFC Youth update: FA Youth Cup WINNERS, a hat-trick & an overhead kick!

November started on a high after progressing into the second round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 win against Sudbury at the Abbey, the full match report can be HERE!

The next game was a home game against Leyton Orient on Saturday 3rd November. The first 15 minutes went past with very few chances to either side but then Orient scored two very quick goals and the U's really struggled to recover from them.

Cambridge went in at halftime trailing 2-0. After the break, the U's enjoyed the lion's share of possession and created a few good chances. They got one back through Sam Bennett after a brilliant corner from Lewis Simper. The U's tried their best to get the equaliser but it finished in a 2-1 defeat.

Following on from the Orient game the U's had another home game, this time against high flying Southend. In a close first half when the United edged it on the balance of play, the first 45 minutes drew to a close with both teams level.

Southend took the lead but Sam Bennett equalised for the U's. The second half didn't start brilliantly for the hosts as they found themselves behind after just a couple of minutes. Cambridge pushed for an equaliser and in the 92nd minute and remarkably they got it through Joe Neal with a good finish.

The game looked to be heading for a draw but from the kick-off, Southend scored a 'worldie' to make it 3-2. A close match that was won with a brilliant goal. The U's next game was the FA Youth Cup second round against Yeovil.

FA Youth Cup Second Round - vs Yeovil Town

Wednesday 14th November - Huish Park and the second round of the FA Youth Cup. The U's couldn't have dreamed of a better first-half performance. After 20 minutes Ben Worman had given his side the lead and then Joe Neal doubled it soon after.

United continued their dominance and Sam Bennett then made it 3-0 after just 35 minutes continuing his brilliant goalscoring form for the season and keeping him in front of Joe Neal in the goal scoring table.

Jimmy Unwin's men weren't finished yet as Ben Worman made it 4-0 just before the break.

In the second half, the U's saw the game out with the score at 4-1 - a very impressive display against the Glovers, progressing to the third round of the FA Youth Cup. United celebrated the with a Gary Deegan inspired video on Twitter - the reward is a third-round tie at home to Reading on 11th December 2018.

United returned to league action before another slightly more local cup game

After the brilliance of Wednesday night, the U's returned to league action against MK Dons. The U's continued where they left off against Yeovil with a quick start and this was rewarded when Charlie Johnson scored the opener with a towering header. MK hit back and made it 1-1 from the penalty spot but the U's retook the lead when Sam Bennett scored a spectacular overhead kick (the goal can be found on our page @CUFCYouth).

Sam Bennett wasn't done for the day and made it 3-1 to the U's with a smart near-post finished and then was only denied the match ball by the goalkeeper making a good save. However, Joe Neal managed to score the rebound to make it 4-1.

In a crazy 10 minute spell, four goals were scored with MK making it 4-2. The goal fest wasn't finished there as Sam Bennett did eventually manage to collect the match ball with a header after good work from Harvey Steel. The match finished 5-2 meaning the U's had scored 9 goals in 2 games.

Next up the Under 18's travelled to Ely City for the Cambs Invitation Cup Quarter Final. In the first half, there won't many clear-cut chances to note but the U's did hit the Ely crossbar and Finlay Iron made a smart stop. The first half finished as it started, 0-0.

The second half couldn't have got off to a worse start when an Ely corner was turned in due to a Ben Worman own goal. The U's who had most of the possession failed to make it count and lost the match 1-0 and were knocked out of the cup at the quarter-final stage.

The month finished with a home match against Barnet. Cambridge, unfortunately, lost 1-0 but created a number of chances and just couldn't beat the keeper.

Next Tuesday the U's return to play at the Abbey in FA Youth Cup third round action against Championship side Reading. Kick off is 7 o'clock. We will do a preview piece at the end of the week.