Gibbs and Hugill lead City comeback at Cambridge

Match Reports•

19th July 2022

Liam Gibbs equalised early in the second half, while Jordan Hugill added another two later on. Jacob Sorensen headed wide from a Pierre Lees-Melou corner early on, before Michael McGovern punched clear a powerful shot from Adam May. The City keeper saved again to deny Paul Digby moments later, as well as Jack Lankester in the 23rd minute. Cambridge gave the ball away in a dangerous position towards the end of the first half, Adam Idah putting Teemu Pukki through on goal and the latter seeing his shot saved at the near post by Dimitar Mitov Sam Smith bounced a shot just wide of the post from distance, before Dimitris Giannoulis’ cross was headed onto the roof of the net by Idah. Smith then turned in a Cambridge corner kick to give the home side the lead on the brink of half time. Dean Smith made four changes at half time, Josh Sargent, Jordan Hugill, Liam Gibbs and Andrew Omobamidele coming on for Pukki, Idah, Sorensen and Grant Hanley. McGovern was immediately called into action again, making a save against Adam May. Joe Ironside then headed high and wide at the far post from a Cambridge free-kick, before Gibbs found Onel Hernandez and the Cuban saw his shot from the edge of the area deflected behind for a corner. Ironside had time and space in the 18-yard box to double Cambridge’s lead but McGovern made another crucial save, allowing City to equalise on the hour mark. Sargent’s cross from the right wing made it all the way to Hernandez on the left, who cut inside and picked out Gibbs. He side footed it past Mitov for his first goal with the City senior team. Seven minutes later, Hugill notched another pre-season goal when Sargent capitalised on Cambridge giving the ball away. Sam McCallum, Todd Cantwell, Milot Rashica, Danel Sinani and Kenny McLean then came on for Giannoulis, Max Aarons, Jonathan Rowe, Lees-Melou and Hernandez. Jonathan Tomkinson, who played the full 90 minutes, shot straight at Mitov from a Norwich corner in the 72nd minute. Hugill then got his brace after Sargent won the ball in a deep position, allowing Cantwell to play a lovely pass forward to Rashica. He setup Hugill, who turned inside and laced the ball home for 3-1. Mitov made a good save from close range to deny Hugill before Gibbs had a shot tipped behind for another corner, and Rashica had another effort stopped in the dying embers. **Cambridge United:** Mitov (O'Neil 62), Jobe (Tarpey 17), Okedina (Mannion 62), Jones (Dunk 62), Haunstrup (Tracey 62), Digby (Simper 62), May (Yearn 62), Smith (Rossi 62), Lankester (Knibbs 62), Brophy (Janneh 62), Ironside (Taylor 62) **Subs not used:** Holden, McConnell **Goals:** Smith (43) **Norwich City:** McGovern, Aarons (Cantwell 72), Tomkinson, Hanley (Omobamidele 46), Giannoulis (McCallum 72), Rowe (Rashica 72), Sørensen (Gibbs 46), Lees-Melou (Sinani 72), Hernandez (McLean 72), Idah (Hugill 46), Pukki (Sargent 46) **Subs not used:** Gunn, Krul, Springett **Goals:** Gibbs (60), Hugill (67, 78) **HT:** 1-0
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Venue:** Abbey Stadium