Cambridge United's Isaac Heath Scores on Debut
Cambridge United's Isaac Heath marked his debut with a winning goal against Barnet in the Carabao Cup. The U's secured a 2-1 victory, sending them into the second round.
What Happened?
Cambridge United faced Barnet in the Carabao Cup, with Isaac Heath making his debut. Heath scored the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory for the U's.
Why it Matters for Cambridge United
The win sends Cambridge United into the second round of the Carabao Cup, giving them momentum heading into their next fixture.
What Comes Next?
Cambridge United will face Bromley away on August 22nd, looking to build on their Carabao Cup win.
Cambridge United's Isaac Heath marked his debut with a winning goal against Barnet in the Carabao Cup. The U's secured a 2-1 victory, sending them into the second round. Last result: Southend 1-2 Cambridge United (2026-07-14). Recent form (last 5): 2W-2D-1L (WDWLD, most recent first). Next fixture: vs Bromley (away, 2026-08-22).
The match began with Cambridge United edging the shot count 7-6 during the first half. However, Barnet created the best two openings, with Nikola Tavares volleying over at the back post and Charlie Lakin's driven effort being kept out by Jake Eastwood.
At the other end, Ben Knight jinked inside from the right on to his left foot on a couple of occasions, but from similar positions he shot straight at Matthew Cox and curled his other effort into the Newmarket Road End. Glenn McConnell drew a pair of relatively routine low stops out of Cox as the half ended goal-less.
However, the deadlock was broken within four minutes of the restart when Barnet were rewarded for their bright start. U's defenders Callum Perry and Kell Watts both made goal-saving blocks during a bit of pinball in the Cambridge box, but Kabongo Tshimanga was on hand to fire home at the third time of asking.
But, just two minutes later, parity was restored via a Cambridge equaliser. Knight had not quite found his range during the first half, but this time his connection was much cleaner 10 yards out, and he also got the luck of a deflection that beat Cox all ends up.
And Cox was picking the ball out of his net again in the 56th minute as Cambridge quickly turned things around. Louis Appere, who led the line well while he was on the pitch, drilled in a cross from the right byline, and Heath – a new addition from Everton – did well to adjust his feet and cleverly flick the ball beyond the Barnet goalie.
United boss Neil Harris introduced Sullay Kaikai and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu off the bench soon after taking the lead, and the pair almost combined in the 70th minute for a third goal. Kaikai picked out Mpanzu's overlapping run in the box, but the midfielder drove a shot straight at Cox.
Cambridge's keeper Eastwood had very little to do for a period, but he was then called back into action with 78 minutes on the clock. Tom Knowles, who made 12 appearances for United over a five-season period, did well to get a free-kick from 25 yards out up and over the wall, but Eastwood showed good athleticism to keep his side in front.
There were some nervy moments for Cambridge towards the end of the tie as Watts headed the ball off the line, and Idris Kanu had a goal chalked off for a foul in the build-up, but ultimately Harris’ men saw it through.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Perry, Jobe, Watts, Bennett, Ball, McLoughlin (Mpanzu 62’), Heath (Bradshaw 90’), McConnell (Kaikai 62’), Knight, Appere (Lavery 73’)
Barnet: Cox, Collinge, Senior, Williams, Lakin, Ofoborh (Wright 84’), Kanu, Tshimanga, Gallagher, Tavares (Smith 84’), Kenlock (Knowles 65’)
Attendance: 3,521
