The Blues took on Birmingham at home in the fourth round of the BUCS cup in bitterly cold conditions. Cambridge reached the final of the tournament last year so will be looking to go all the way this year and set out a good statement of intent to the rest of the field with a convincing win.

However, in the first fifteen Birmingham were the stronger side as the Light Blues were slow to get out of the blocks. A free kick skidded past the wall and required good reactions from goalkeeper Boyde. Shortly after Boyde was called into action again, when he tipped a stunning thirty yard effort by a Birmingham midfielder onto the crossbar with a save of the very highest quality.

But Cambridge weathered the storm and started to find their confidence. Strikers Haith and Kerrigan found themselves more involved with proceedings, both having efforts on the away goal. And a good spell of ten minutes was rewarded when Kerrigan capped a good counter-attacking move, showing good composure to slot home with 25 minutes played.

But Birmingham were not going down without a fight and set about playing the ball around and probing the Cambridge defence. They worked the ball into the area well, finding their striker in acres of space. But the ever-alert Boyde was there once again, diving at full length to tip the ball wide. It was a let-off for the Blues.

Cambridge refocused and began to dictate the play with greater intent. Full-back Mark Baxter was at the heart of all things good, working tirelessly down the left wing to provide an extra attacking threat. Making each ball count, he got his head up and played top quality pass-and-move football, instigating some excellent passages of play. Coach Che Wilson, clearly impressed, was heard to say, “that's soccer that is. Like watching Brazil.”

After intense pressure by Cambridge they won a corner, which Baxter whipped into the penalty area for captain James Day to poke home. The score would stay at 2-0 for the rest of the half, despite wave after wave of Cambridge attacks.

The second half saw the Light Blues pick up from where they had left off. A tired Birmingham side were unable to muster any meaningful attacking play and found themselves increasingly exposed to the hard-working Blues wingers Griffiths and Totten, who tormented their opposition all game with direct running and dangerous deliveries from the touchlines.

Despite several good chances, the third and final goal would only arrive in the 85th minute when a cross was whipped in and a deft header from Rory Griffiths found the top corner to make it 3-0. It was just reward for the left-winger who had caused his marker problems throughout.

Captain Day was in buoyant mood after the match: “We played really good football against a good side. We started slowly but once we started playing football we dominated and looked comfortable.

When asked about the team's prospects for the competition he answered confidently and without hesitation: “I think we should win the cup. I'd be disappointed if we didn't.” Based on this performance it seems a real possibility.