ST IVES TOWN 0-5 CAMBRIDGE UNITED || A STRONG Cambridge United team drew a bumper crowd of over 800 to Westwood Road on Saturday. Cambridge, under Martin Ling for the second of his three games in charge, fielded what is likely to be the club s starting li

ST IVES TOWN 0-5 CAMBRIDGE UNITED ||

A STRONG Cambridge United team drew a bumper crowd of over 800 to Westwood Road on Saturday.

Cambridge, under Martin Ling for the second of his three games in charge, fielded what is likely to be the club's starting line-up in the Blue Square Premier, and they had to be at their best to overcome Saints.

St Ives were missing a few key players but matched United for the majority of an all-action first half. The teams were only separated when Paul Carden struck from 25 yards, leaving Gavin Armitage with no chance to save.

The second half was a different story, with Cambridge stepping up the tempo from the start. Inside three minutes their lead had been doubled by Robbie Willmott, and six minutes later Mark Beesley made it three.

It soon became 4-0 to Cambridge after Courtney Pitt's 25-yard free kick found the mark, and Beesley netted his second to complete a stunning 20 minutes from Cambridge.

Saints continued to work hard despite the deficit, and the influential Ozie Foster went close on 72 minutes. Jamie Blackwell led the line well for the home side, and was unlucky to be denied with a great effort on 85 minutes.

Saints co-manager Jez Hall said: "It is fantastic to have a club like Cambridge United turn up at Westwood Road and show us great respect by playing a very strong side. We have to now start concentrating on our first league fixture against Daventry Town next Saturday."

Southern League outfit Arlesey Town were well beaten by Ives in a friendly on Thursday night. Ives won 3-1 with goals from Connor Washington, Jamie Blackwell and Will Fordham.

St Ives kick off their UCL Premier campaign against Daventry Town at Westwood Road on Saturday.