You can't quarrel with the figures; Adam Marriott's opening ten appearances of 2008/09 yielded eight goals, and he hasn't stopped scoring since.
It's fair to say the second-year forward is in irresistible form as the scholars, playing as CRC, have careered to within sight of the Ridgeons Premier Division summit.
Though slight of frame, Marriott, known affectionately as 'Maz', has set about proving that skill, speed and thought can compete with pure physicality. Adam managed 14 league strikes last term in his inaugural campaign and he insists, "Playing against men benefits us" - as opposed to toiling in a rather more sanitised youth division.
The former Norwich City youngster adds, "You get that sense of achievement when you beat someone who's been kicking you up in the air."
Though Adam often operates up front in partnership with fellow second-year Brad Hunter, his role is a withdrawn one, not dissimilar to the furrow which Mark Beesley ploughs for the first-team. And unsurprisingly, Beesley was someone Adam watched closely during pre-season when afforded the opportunity, while Gary Brabin was also on hand to offer the scholars advice: "He put his word across - keep going, keep trying."
But Marriott could so easily have been plying his trade elsewhere. In fact, it was fellow scholar, Jordan Patrick who recommended Adam to the youth development staff, then operating at Cambridge City.
"Jez (George) came to my house to talk to me, and that was it," says Adam, and he hasn't looked back: "I want to stay in football - I love football. I've got a lot of confidence in myself and I'll try and get a professional contract, and then, who knows?"
This confidence is reflected in his level-headed attitude towards his performances: "If you have a poor game, just try to enjoy it, get on with it and in the next game put it right."
Fortunately, 'poor' games have been few and far between, but, as is the way with the youth development set-up, the young footballers are led to never accept mediocrity, and always strive for further improvement.
Adam himself offers advice to those seeking to follow in his footsteps, saying, "Never stop believing. Even if you get knocked back, keep going."
Formerly with Norwich City, the teenager from Brandon has a professional contract with Cambridge United as his goal, but Marriott's desire to earn a living from football, understandably, isn't restricted to CB5.
"If there's an opportunity to go higher, you've got to consider it," he says.
A melange of realism, determination and resolute ambition typifies the Cambridge United scholar, and from the signs so far, this ambition is well founded.
Henry Milward
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