Former Blue Paul Digby’s second-half goal saw Cambridge United to a 1-0 victory over Town in their final pre-season friendly at the Abbey Stadium. Digby tapped home a rebound in the 56th minute after Paul Mullin had hit the post.

Striker Oli Hawkins made his first appearance in a Town shirt, the former Portsmouth frontman having been training on his own prior to joining the Blues just under a fortnight ago.

New keeper David Cornell was in goal with Janoi Donacien at right-back, youngster Tommy Smith on the left and Luke Woolfenden and James Wilson, making his first appearance of pre-season after a calf injury, the centre-halves.

In midfield, Emyr Huws was joined by Brett McGavin and Jon Nolan with Jack Lankester and Alan Judge on the right and left respectively either side of Hawkins up front.

"Striker James Norwood was on the bench having not previously been involved in any of the Blues’ friendlies. Armando Dobra, Idris El Mizouni and Corrie Ndaba were also among the subs.

Kane Vincent-Young, who has been suffering with a minor thigh problem, Cole Skuse, who would have started but for a minor niggle, Kayden Jackson and Myles Kenlock (thigh) were all absent having not featured against West Ham in midweek. Former Blue Digby started for Cambridge in their midfield.

Skuse, Vincent-Young, Kenlock, Jackson, skipper Luke Chambers, Teddy Bishop, Stephen Ward, Freddie Sears, Aaron Drinan, Flynn Downes, Andre Dozzell, Toto Nsiala and Gwion Edwards, who picked up a groin problem against West Ham all watched from the stands.

Following a minute’s applause for Carol Looker, a long-time supporter and volunteer at Cambridge, the game got under way in steady rain and a breeze.

On six Hawkins made his height count as the Blues defended a number of corners in the sixth minute. From the third, Harry Darling headed over.

Three minutes later, Donacien blocked a Luke Hannant strike and the Blues were forced to defend another corner.

Town played themselves into bother in the 11th minute, Woolfenden’s ball to Smith following a throw-in falling short and Paul Mullin seizing on it, however, the U’s were unable to make anything of the opportunity.

The home side were having the better of the opening spell and but on 16 Huws saw a strike blocked. Four minutes later, Darling headed wide from another Cambridge corner.

The Blues were seeing more of the ball but without spending much time in the Cambridge final third. On 27, U’s skipper Greg Taylor reached a free-kick which had been sent in from the left but couldn’t divert it towards goal from a tight angle.

Cambridge had their best chance of the half in the 32nd minute following a long spell of Town possession which had ultimately gone nowhere. After the ball was lost, the home side broke quickly and Harvey Knibbs hit low across the face from the right but just in front of the sliding Liam O’Neil.

Town continued to see most of the ball but without creating an openng, while Cambridge didn’t threaten again until the 43rd minute when Knibbs saw a shot blocked.

A minute later, Nolan found Lankester in the area on the left. The academy product tried to trick his way into space to shoot but was eventually crowded out.

Moments later, the whistle ended a half in which the home side had been on top for the most part and had the best of the chances.

The Blues had struggled to get a foothold in the game with Cambridge having looked the more dangerous team in the early stages, winning a number of corners.

Town gradually started to get on top, passing the ball around at length at times but without creating anything until Lankester’s opportunity just before the break.

Cambridge keeper Dimi Mitov’s only involvement had been catching a couple of crosses in from the right.

The Blues had looked to use Hawkins’s aerial presence to get the ball forward quickly on one or two occasions but without too much success.

Town swapped Donacien and Hawkins for Ndaba and Norwood at the break. The young Irishman joined Woolfenden at the centre of the defence with Wilson going to right-back, while the striker took up his usual role up front.

With rain still falling steadily, the Blues began the half more brightly, playing the game further up the field.

On 50, Lankester sent in a corner from the right and Norwood met it with a stooping header which cannoned off the outside of Mitov’s left post.

The Blues had been the better side since the break but in the 56th minute they went behind.

Former Canary Wes Hoolahan cleared a Lankester corner from the right and Mullin broke quickly pacing past Smith, hardly the first time during pre-season Town have been caught on the counter-attack.

The former Morecambe man looked to have taken it too wide and his shot from the left hit the far post but ex-Blue Digby was on hand to slam in the rebound from six yards.

Dobra replaced McGavin on 64 with Judge moving into the centre with Cambridge coming thick and fast. Five minutes later, Idris El Mizouni, who was on loan with the U’s last season, replaced Nolan.

Town were seeing a lot of the ball but without going anywhere until Norwood was almost found by a ball through the middle, however Mitov was able to claim.

At the other end, Ndaba did well to take the ball off Andrew Dallas’s foot as the sub prepared to shoot when in space on the right of the area.

In the 74th minute Town switched keeper Cornell for Tomas Holy and Ben Folami for Lankester.

There was a scare for the Blues on 80 when Dickens hit a deflected shot across the face of the Town goal. From the resultant corner, Folami played the ball forward for Judge, who tried to catch Mitov off his line from halfway but shot well wide.

Town were showing little sign of being able to grab an equaliser with the League Two side pinning them back in their half of the field and appearing more likely to add a second.

On 85 El Mizouni shot wildly over, then Kyle Knoyle shot similarly too high for the home side.

Judge hit a shot from distance straight at Mitrov, which the keeper gathered at the second attempt as Norwood chased in after the loose ball. Just before the end, Wilson cleared a low Joe Ironside shot off the line.

Cambridge deserved their victory with the Blues only ever coming close to scoring via Norwood’s header against the post.

Having begun the second half brightly, they faded after conceding the goal. They subsequently had spells in control but without threatening, but also found themselves pegged back in their half for periods by a Cambridge side which made plenty of second-half substitutions.

Overall, a disappointing afternoon for the Blues, who would have been looking for a morale-boosting victory over League Two opposition ahead of next Saturday’s season opener against Bristol Rovers in the Carabao Cup at Portman Road.

Cambridge: Mitov, Knoyle, Iredale (Dunk 62), Digby (Simper 73), Taylor (c), Darling (Digby 73), Hannant (Neal 81), O’Neil (Trialist 62), Mullin (Dallas 66), Hoolahan (Knowles 62), Knibbs (Ironside 66). Subs: Trialist, Bennett.

Town: Cornell (Holy 74), Donacien (Ndaba 46), Woolfenden, Wilson, Smith, Huws, McGavin (Dobra 64), Nolan (El Mizouni 69), Lankester (Folami 74), Hawkins (Norwood 46), Judge. Referee: Alan Dale.

Photo: Matchday Images

jonju11 added 15:44 - Aug 29 The die has been reset as the same colour as the last 6 years. The mentality & psychology has to be reset. Adopt the approach of attack is the best form of defence. We have been impotent up front for years & most of it is down to the Managers. We need a young modern Manager (circa Parker, Cowley Bros, etc) otherwise there will be no exit from this brand of football. In any event, good luck to the youngsters this season.

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jas0999 added 15:50 - Aug 29 Not good. Only a friendly yes, but that's us now starting the season on the back of three straight defeats. Okay, the PL defeats weren't a surprise, but this one certainly is. The squad to me remains relatively average and it's tough to see anything other than a mid table finish.
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DifferentGravy added 15:58 - Aug 29 Make all the excuses you want for Lambert......state it was 'just another friendly'........... but its really not filling the players or fans with any confidence. Nothing seems to have changed on the pitch since the beginning of Lamberts tenure. Pass it around at the back.....then either lose the ball and give a sloppy goal away.....or lump it forward to nobody. Quite happy for someone to try and educate me as to what Lambert is actually achieving on the pitch.......not a lot as far as i can see

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budgieplucker added 16:22 - Aug 29 .......and that's why Flynn Downes is so important to us as he is the only one who can ignite things and take control in the middle of the park. It can't be underestimated how much of a loss he will be to our side if he leaves. If we do get back to the Championship then his value will as a minimum double, so Mr Evans, as a business man would could be a better investment than holding on to Flynn for another season or two at which point you will get considerably more for him.

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Suffolkboy added 16:23 - Aug 29 It'll be interesting to see Lambert's version of events and the result .It does matter we try to ensure all get pitch time but it is time several actually sought to impress both the Manager AND the supporters . We desperately need to witness some ruthless objective decision making from the management and coaching team .IF they've got confidence in what they're doing and how they are applying themselves the the fault lines lay with the players ,so the focus moves to them . Logically one or other of these aspects must see improvement : OR changes to personnel will be needed . Sadly it looks as if we are no further forward than 12 months ago ; and JN wants to give up moaning and get on producing ( regularly ) . COYB we are all really behind you and hoping for a season of good results and good football .

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MonkeyAlan added 16:28 - Aug 29 Bluearmy81 speaks the truth. We just roll over and let Evans do what he wants. Until this man either wakes up or sells up this club is doomed. As for Lambert, well, he appears to have learned nothing from last season.
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senduntd added 16:50 - Aug 29 icantbelieveyousaidit Thankyou for that, a piece of civilised comment much appreciated.
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blues1 added 16:51 - Aug 29 Many of the comments on here show just how little any of you know about football. Preseason is about getting players match time, fitness, and playing games together. Results mean nothing. 1980 proved that. Lost every game in preseason. Finished 2nd in the league. And then, take a look at the lineup for today's game. At least 11 players who werent involved today, who will be ahead of most of those in today's team. But theres comments being made about us getting relegated, on the back of losing to cambridge. Let's just wait and see what happens once the season starts before having this constant negativity. If things go badly, trust me, I'll be among the 1st to moan. But for now, just relax and get behind them for gods sake. Cant imagine theres another set of supporters out there as negative as u lot. And some of their clubs are in a far worse position than we are.

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Bluearmy_81 added 16:55 - Aug 29 Blues, trust me Everton fans are wayyyy more negative and many than town fans. It's because they have passion, pride and some fight in them...
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Bluearmy_81 added 16:55 - Aug 29 Moany
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Carberry added 16:58 - Aug 29 blues1, 'if things go badly', have you been away ?
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TimmyH added 16:59 - Aug 29 Don't think I've ever been so pessimistic before a start of a season...I'll give Lambert a little time to see if he has changed his ways but not much considering that lucrative 5 year contract when in all honesty he just doesn't deserve it. Pre-season won't have done much to boost the morale of a flagging team after what happened last season.
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MonkeyAlan added 17:08 - Aug 29 Trouble is most of the players in this team have it too cushy. Fancy cars, fancy house, watches etc... They needed someone like Warnock to kick a few backsides. That ship has sailed though. So get Pulis in. He will pull them up by their boot laces. Lazy bunch of fairies.
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eddiespearitt03 added 17:12 - Aug 29 What a supporter is hoping for and the club should be aiming for in your last pre-season game is a sign of your best team and a good result. We got neither !!! I bet Evans must be well chuffed that we just lost to a League 2 outfit. The last 5-6-7 years of excuses and hard luck stories is all we have now. A bloated squad of players we can,t sell and just a handful of better players Evans will sell.

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Dolphinblue added 17:13 - Aug 29 People......its a friendly, no need for meltdown...COYB!
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Cloddyseedbed added 17:18 - Aug 29 blues1. I so hope your right and I'm wrong. Unfortunately experience on my part being a supporter of ITFC since the 60's gives me no positivity after what has been going on in the past...........and now. I don't think any lessons have been learned by manager/coaches/owner or players. The running of this club compared to the one up the 140 is a shambles. That hurts me and I want it addressing, not allowed to carry on.

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therein61 added 17:20 - Aug 29 Well that's the pre season business done before it gets serious, now then Mr Lambert you have one hell of a job to do i bet a penny to a quid you have no idea what you 1st choice line up is or have yet again a plan b when games are going tits up, and as for the premiership class number 8 not starting well that's your fault for not selecting his mate he had to sit and hold his hand on the side lines that was his niggle!!??.

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WhoisJimmyJuan added 17:31 - Aug 29 Lambert has failed on almost every level. Perhaps he us too nice? But Evans has got to sort this out. Relegation, multiple failed managerial appointments and mounting debts is poor from a supposedly astute businessman. If he can't flog the club, and cant buy success, he's got to jolly well come down from his ivory tower and be a proper chairman. That's showing enthusiasm, drive, vision, pride, presence and passion. We will have to give Lambert one last chance at the start of this season, but that's it. Top 6 end of September or out please.

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Taricco_Fan added 17:32 - Aug 29 Utter pony. Isn't the aim to play a good side and win your final friendly to instil confidence in players and supporters?
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Kesblue66 added 17:34 - Aug 29 Please go and get Eddie Howe,Nigel Clough,or the Cowleys.
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madmouse1959 added 17:38 - Aug 29 Demoralizing is the only word you can honestly use as to the state of this club. What is it going to be ? Another season FLAFFING ABOUT with constant team changes to camouflage the poor performances. The same routine we are all well used to now. Really looking forward to another spate of early cup exits and toothless bore draws.
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Gcon added 17:41 - Aug 29 Wont be long till we hear 'Lambert Out'. They'll be little mention of the real issue, the reason we are such a rapidly diminishing club. 'Evans Out'. Until folk wake up to that we'll keep dropping like a stone.
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brassy added 18:16 - Aug 29 its hard being a town supporter these days
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ITFC_Cotton added 18:20 - Aug 29 Anyone that thinks this season is going to be any better than last is living in a dream world. We're on the same decline we were on in the last couple of years in the Championship. I'll make the same prediction I unfortunately made a couple of years ago when I said we'd be in League One in the next couple of years. League Two is the only direction we're going in the next 5 years.

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Bluearmy_81 added 18:21 - Aug 29 Gcon, that comment at 18:17 has one down arrow. Why?!! I don't understand town fans, why can't they see the reality of our plight, the cause of our degeneration?!! It's one of the mysteries of my life. Its like they decided years ago (probably after than ridiculous scripted interview) that Me is alright and now they just won't allow themselves to change their mind, despite mountains of negative evidence. I think if we ended up going non league (as likely and as close as getting into the prem) they'd still defend him! It boggles my mind... 🤯🤯🤯

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