Young players have quickly found form as Cambridge FC’s Northern League squad continue their pre-season preparation.
In their latest friendly fixtures, the U-23 reserves team beat Otumoetai 4-1 while the Reds first team lost 2-1 to their Otumoetai counterparts.
Reds head coach Paul Richardson said the Northern League players continue as mixed squads as the players use their pre-season games to maximise game time.
For the U-23s, scorers were Aston Hurd (2), Tom O’Leary and new player-coach Colin Coster.
In the main game, Cambridge’s goal was scored by new signing Davy Smith, adding to the double he registered in midweek when the Reds beat Huntly Thistle 7-1 at John Kerkhof Park.
Richardson said teenager Willem Dikmans made his debut in a starting role, playing at left-back.
“After three seasons of working hard and learning the role, he did very well indeed,” Richardson said.
Cambridge’s next pre-season game is scheduled for Saturday March 13 when Waikato Unicol visit John Kerkhof Park for games with the U-23s (noon) and first team (2pm).
The Reds’ final warm-up game will take place on Saturday March 20 when Matamata Swifts visit Cambridge for a double header (12.30pm and 3pm).
This year’s Lotto NRFL is expected to start on Saturday March 27 but the fixture list is not yet available.
Main photo: Midfielder Jamie Woodlock wins possession against Otumoetai in the first team game.
