19 Jul 2023
Two late goals saw the Saints suffer defeat in their pre-season opener.
Cambridge dominated the opening phase and took the lead early on, as Harrison Dunk was able to connect with a dangerous cross to flick the ball past Johnson.
They soon looked to add a second with Jack Lankester cutting inside and firing a promising shot goalward only for the ball to be blocked by his teammate.
City would get back on level terms as Jack James’ pinpoint cross found Trialist A at the back-post, who was able to turn the ball home unchallenged.
James Brophy looked to fire his side back into the lead on the stroke of halftime, with a quick reaction save from Johnson required to deny the U’s forward.
A host of halftime substitutions saw the Saints start the second period on the front foot with a good chance coming when Weiss found Banton in the box, whose off-balance shot was blocked behind by Morrison.
The away side also threatened with Lankester’s reverse ball to Adahme looking dangerous before Clark jumped in to steal possession away.
Lawal came close to finding a breakthrough, receiving Banton’s dinked ball towards the back-post before firing his first time attempt marginally wide of the post.
Despite this it would be Cambridge who stole the advantage, with the ball being worked to Njoku inside the Saints area who had the time and space to guide the ball into the net.
They’d wrap up the game with their next attack, as Trialist D in goal failed to deal with a shot on target parrying the ball straight into the path of Jannah who was able to knock the ball home at point blank range.
St Albans City: Johnson (Trialist D 46′), James (Morrall 46′, Lawal 61′), Brown (Fage 46′), Gauthier (Bowry 46′), Dunn (Blackman 46′), Trialist A (Trialist F 46′), Trialist B (Trialist E 46′), Georgiou (Weiss 46′), Trialist C (Clark 46′), Carlyle (Da Silva 46′), Smith (Banton 46′)
Bookings: N/A
Goals: Trialist A 35′
Cambridge United: Stevens (Holden 61′), Bennett (Sandiford 61′), Digby (Scales 61′), Morrison (C) (Okedina 61′), Bennett (Caskey-Evans 61′), Brophy (Njoku 61′), Thomas (Simper 61′), Okenabirhie (Yearn 61′), Lankester (Trialist A 61′), Dunk (Jannah 61′), Ahadme (Hoddle 61′)
Bookings: N/A
Goals: Dunk 13′, Njoku 82′, Jannah 87′
Referee: Wayne Cartmell
Attendance: 776
