Southend vs Cambridge United

This was Southend's second of three pre-season friendlies inside a week. The Shrimpers lost 2-0 at Ipswich Town on Saturday 11 July — also a behind-closed-doors fixture — and host West Ham United at Roots Hall on Saturday 18 July in their first home pre-season outing of the summer.

For Cambridge, the match was part of a six-game pre-season programme that also includes a behind-closed-doors fixture against Braintree Town (20 July), a trip to Spain to face Preston North End (24 July), and a home fixture against Northampton Town (28 July) before the League One season begins.

Harry Cardwell (Southend United) — The striker scored Southend's only goal of the game, continuing his role as the focal point of Dyer's attack. Cardwell's movement and hold-up play will be vital if Southend are to improve on their National League campaign.

Cambridge's goalscorers (unconfirmed) — The identities of Cambridge's two goalscorers were not published by either club, typical of behind-closed-doors friendlies where clubs often trial multiple lineups and substitute freely.

As a behind-closed-doors friendly with no official match data published, detailed statistics such as possession, shots, and xG are not available. The match report is based on limited public information. The fixture was confirmed by both clubs in early June, with Cambridge listing it as a "BCD" fixture, and Southend announcing it as part of their pre-season schedule.

For context on the gap between the sides: Cambridge United will compete in League One in 2026/27, while Southend United remain in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.

Southend have now lost two pre-season friendlies in succession — 2-0 at Ipswich on 11 July and 2-1 at Cambridge on 14 July — though pre-season results carry limited significance as managers focus on fitness and tactical experimentation. Dyer's side face their biggest test of the summer on Saturday 18 July when they host Premier League side West Ham United at Roots Hall.

Cambridge United continue their pre-season programme with a behind-closed-doors fixture against Braintree Town on Monday 20 July, before travelling to Spain to face Preston North End on Friday 24 July. Their League One campaign begins in early August.

A useful workout for both sides. Southend competed well against a team from a higher division but remain winless in pre-season. Cardwell's goal offers some encouragement for the Shrimpers' attack, while Cambridge will be pleased with the result as they build towards the League One season. The real assessments will begin when the competitive fixtures start in August.