Cambridge United progressed through this First Qualifying tie of the FA Youth Cup with a good victory at Needham Market to set up a Second Round Qualifier at Cornard United.
Played on an excellent playing surface with both teams looking to pass the ball, Cambridge started brightly. As the game progressed, Needham began to have a lot of the ball in their half without threatening and The U's were patient, waiting for their time to regain possession to break on an expansive host team.
It took just shy of half an hour for the first goal, but was unsurprisingly for United having had the best of the chances. A clever one two between Ryan Horne and James Akintunde saw Horne free in the box to slot home with his right foot.
With the young U's leading at the break by the narrowest of margins, it was key to start the second half well, and they did.
Javan Scott slotted under the goal keeper just five minutes in as United set a real tempo in the early stages. However, a lack of concentration allowed Needham to pull a goal back just five minutes later.
The goals didn't end there. Cambridge again raised their game and scored the third on the hour mark. A good dribble and cross from Akintunde found George Doyle, who slotted home a clean finish from around the penalty spot.
United were now rampant and dominant and began to play some exquisite football, creating a host of good chances to extend the lead.
With a quarter of the game to go, Horne grabbed his second in a goal similar to Doyle's, and Macauley Joynes added a fifth with a powerful strike across the keeper from the left hand side.
Needham's Ace Howell scored a superb goal with 12 minutes remaining but the scholars picked up a good victory to progress through.
Mark Bonner said, "That was a really good game. Two sides, trying to play decent football, on a good surface, with good players. Needham are a good club and played very well, it's clear they have some talented players.
We defended patiently and well and looked a threat breaking on them. When we could, we passed the ball through the lines very well and took our goals really well.
I'm pleased with our focus and attitude, they provided a good level of performance, and allowed us to win the game well. We now move on to Cornard and need to approach the game in the same way we did this one."
Team: Mcnulty, North, Heath, Burns, Pring, Coy (Pratt 65), Horne, Doyle, Akintunde (Joynes 70), Cook (Scott 45), Hogan. Not Used: Banthorpe