As expected, Mick McCarthy used last week’s trip to Twerton Park as a chance to rotate his squad in what was a solid start to his side’s month-long pre-season campaign.
James Collins made his first appearance since joining in May, while fellow newbies Mark McGuinness and Ryan Wintle played the second half against the National League South side.
Republic of Ireland international Collins needed all of three minutes to open his account and went on to hammer home a second before the interval.
Oliver Denham, James Connolly and Isaac Vassell – who has endured an injury-plagued spell at Cardiff – were also on target for the Bluebirds in a straightforward victory.
City return to South Wales on Saturday, though this game will not be played at their Cardiff City Stadium home, but rather the Cardiff International Sports Campus across the road.
The aim will be to continue building momentum in their remaining five matches ahead of facing Barnsley in their opening Championship match on August 7.
Cambridge are at a slightly earlier stage of their pre-season programme, with this their first match since beating Grimsby Town 3-0 on the final day of the League Two season.
United have spent time training in Cardiff and will see this an opportunity to test themselves against a side that will be expected to challenge for a place in the Premier League.
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Mark Bonner’s men will be competing in the third tier of English football this term for the first time in nearly two decades.
Ahead of their curtain-raising league clash with Oxford United on August 7, Cambridge will also face Queens Park Rangers and Northampton Town, plus a Brentford XI.
