U's record first victory of the season
Cambridge United got their home campaign off to a winning start with a narrow victory over Lincoln City.
The U's made three changes to the starting XI from Saturday's draw at Forest Green with Kevin Roberts, Luke Berry (both injured) and Ricky Wellard making way for Rory McAuley, Andy Pugh and Tom Shaw.
It was a great start for the home side as Tom Elliott made it two in two after just three minutes with a powerful header following a great right-wing cross from Robbie Willmott, who was making his second home debut at the R Costings Abbey Stadium.
The visitors gradually found their feet in the match, after a good start by Jez George's side, and found themselves in the acendancy towards the end of the half.
Lincoln's improved performance was rewarded with an equalising goal from Andrew Royce, he nodded in from the edge of the six-yard box after Jonathan Hedge failed to meet a right-wing corner.
Goalscorer Elliott was replaced at half-time by Lincoln old boy Sam Smith, but the dogged away side continued to trouble the U's.
It was the introduction of Portugese winger Adriano Moke that really swung the game in United's favour however, the former York City player showing good pace and control to trouble the Lincoln defence.
Sure enough, it was Moke that grabbed the winner with nine minutes left on the clock. A great piece of work from Harrison Dunk on the left-hand side saw him pull the ball back to an unmarked Moke who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards out.
The U's passing was much improved after the goal and they saw out the game without too many scares and could even have extended their lead had a buoyant Moke squared to Smith instead of opting to shoot.
It was a patchy performance from United but one that secured an unbeated start to the season going into Saturday's home enounter with Southport.
21:37 Full-Time: Cambridge United 2-1 Lincoln City. United get their home campaign off to a great start with victory over a good Lincoln side.
21:35 Nutter is replaced by Nicalou for the Imps whilst Harrison Dunk comes off for Blaine Hudson for United.
21:33 Adriano shoots just wide from an almost impossible angle, he has looked good since he came on.
21:32 The fourth official indicates a minimum of four minutes added time.
21:29 Willmott and Moke combine well on the right and win a corner which is eventually cleared by the away side.
21:25 Lincoln make a double change as they try to get back into the game.
21:23 GOAL: Cambridge United 2-1 Lincoln City. Tom Shaw sprays a lovely ball out to Dunk who leaves his defender for dead before tee-ing up Adriano Moke who makes no mistake as he rifles his shot into the top corner from close range.
21:17 Fantastic run from Dunk results in a corner for the U’s but Farman punches away well.
21:16 Tonight’s attendance is 2,456 with 278 travelling from Lincoln.
21:13 Robbie Willmott wins a corner but Lincoln clear that one.
21:10 Great run from Willmott, he feeds Dunk who whips in a cross which Sam Smith is only inches away from, the U’s looking a little livelier now.
21:08 Tom Shaw shoots from twenty yards but it was always going over.
21:08 Lincoln’s Jamie Taylor is booked.
21:07 Dunk loses possession and Lincoln look to counter with a quick ball over the top but Hedge is quick out of his box to hoof clear.
21:04 Moke floats into the box, bypassing a couple of defenders before hitting a shot on target which Farman saves well low down to his left, the fans enjoyed that.
21:01 United make their second change as Adriano Moke replaces Andy Pugh.
20:59 Another Lincoln corner, which Hedge punches clear. Cambridge are struggling to get a foot hold on the game at the moment.
20:57 That’s better from the U’s as they put a string of passes together in and around the penalty area, Sam Smith is looking lively.
20:53 Lincoln seem to be confusing themselves as much as anyone else with their set piece routines, but they are enjoying a prolonged spell of pressure in the Cambridge penalty area, halted only when the ref spots a foul.
20:52 Sam Smith is receiving some ironic jeers anytime he goes near the ball.
20:47 The second half is underway, the U's have made one change with Sam Smith coming on against his former side in place of goal scorer Tom Elliott.
20:32 Half-Time: Cambridge United 1-1 Lincoln City
20:31 Lincoln are finishing the half the strongest and have another corner. A well worked routine straight from the training ground but the shot ends up in the stand.
20:29 Three minutes of added time to be played.
20:23 GOAL: Cambridge United 1-1 Lincoln City. Andrew Royce rises the highest from the corner and heads home from close range.
20:22 Lincoln's Adam Smith causes some danger on the left and his cross is headed behind for a corner.
20:14 A poor pass from Coulson puts Jennings under pressure but he just about does enough before Garner mops up.
20:12 The U’s win their first corner, taken by Jarvis and Elliott heads over.
20:12 Dunk I think drills a shot at goal which Farman parry’s and then smothers.
20:10 Harrison Dunk meets Rory McAuley’s deep cross but heads wide as he was stretching.
20:07 Great chance for Tom Shaw who finds himself free in the box with time to shoot but he drags his shot wide, should be 2-0.
20:05 Lincoln are enjoying some pressure in the final third but Cambridge are dealing with the threat so far!.
20:01 Duffy heads at goal for Lincoln from 12 yards but Hedge saves easily.
20:00 Dunk heads wide from eight yards.
19:54 Lincoln win the game’s first corner, but the ref spots some pushing and it’s a free kick to the U’s.
19:51 Commanding goal-keeping from Hedge as he comes out and claims a deep cross, he takes a knock for his troubles but is soon back to his feet.
19:48 An electric pace being set here by the U’s as Willmott is set free again down the right but this time his cross is over-hit and out for a goal kick.
19:47 GOAL: Cambridge United 1-0 Lincoln City. What a start, Willmott delivers an inch perfect cross to the back post where Tom Elliott is free to nod home from close range for his second goal in as many games.
19:46 Pugh is looking Dangerous in the opening moments.
19:45: Kick-off, we’re underway.
19:40 The teams are out and we're almost underway.
19:30 Good evening and welcome along to the R Costings Abbey Stadium for this evenings game between Cambridge and Lincoln.
Teams: Cambridge: Hedge, Jennings, Coulson, Garner, McAuley, Dunk, Jarvis, Shaw, Willmott, Pugh, Elliott. Subs: Wellard, Marriott, Moke, Hudson, Smith.
Lincoln: Farman, Nutter, Mills, Boyce, Smith, Power, Duffy, Taylor, Gray, Miller, Daley. Subs: Sheridan, Oliver, Nicolau, Hutchinson, Turner.