Neil Harris came away from Cambridge United's 1-1 draw with Bromley in an upbeat mood, describing the result as "a really positive start" for his side in League One.
A point shared at the Abbey
The match ended level, with both sides claiming a share of the spoils in what shaped up as a competitive, hard-fought League One fixture. Cambridge showed enough to encourage Harris, who has spoken previously about the step up in quality this division demands, and the draw adds to the early momentum the U's have been building.
Bromley, for their part, will feel equally satisfied. Manager Andy Woodman had already set a play-off target for the season, and a point away from home is exactly the kind of result that keeps that ambition credible. Woodman said after the match that the draw felt like a good point for the visitors, a view that mirrors the tone Harris struck in his own assessment.
Harris pleased with the response
Speaking after the final whistle, Harris was measured but optimistic. The Cambridge manager pointed to the character his players showed in holding firm against a Bromley side that has quickly developed a reputation for relentless pressing in their debut League One campaign.
"It's a really positive start for us," Harris said, reflecting on a result that keeps Cambridge ticking over in the early weeks of the season. The U's had already beaten Wigan Athletic 3-2 in a previous outing, with Heath noting that Cambridge had "taken the game" to Wigan that day. Back-to-back points suggest Harris is finding consistency.
Cambridge's early form points to a team that is competitive without yet hitting top gear. Harris has spoken of the Wigan match as "another step up" in terms of opposition quality, and Bromley, a club learning the third tier on the run, represented a different kind of test: physically direct, organised and difficult to break down.
Bromley settling into the division
For Bromley, this is just their latest demonstration that they belong at this level. The south London club opened their League One account with a win at Barnsley, and a draw at Cambridge underlines that result was no fluke. They have added quality in the transfer window, including the signing of Wigan midfielder Tobias Brenan, and Woodman has worked hard to build a squad capable of sustaining a promotion challenge rather than simply surviving.
Harris acknowledged the difficulty Bromley posed. He had previewed the fixture by calling them "relentless", and nothing in the 90 minutes appeared to change that view. A team that presses high and transitions quickly at League One pace is a genuine threat to anyone, and Cambridge had to work to keep them at bay.
Where it leaves both clubs
Cambridge and Bromley both sit in the mix as the early table takes shape. Neither side will be entirely happy with a point when a win was there to be taken, but both managers have framed it as progress. For Harris, the priority is building a platform; for Woodman, it is proving that Bromley's top-six ambition has real foundations.
The next set of fixtures will reveal more about whether these two sides can sustain their early form, but on the evidence of 22 August, both camps have reason to feel they are heading in the right direction.
Frequently asked
- What was the score in Cambridge United vs Bromley?
- The match ended 1-1. Cambridge United and Bromley shared the points in their League One fixture on 22 August 2026.
- What did Neil Harris say after the Cambridge United draw with Bromley?
- Harris described the result as "a really positive start" for Cambridge United, expressing satisfaction with how his side performed against a tough Bromley outfit.
- How are Bromley doing in League One so far?
- Bromley have made an encouraging start to their League One campaign, winning at Barnsley and drawing at Cambridge United, keeping their play-off ambitions firmly on track.