Cambridge United defender Liam Bennett insists the club's encouraging return to League One is no coincidence, declaring that their results after six matches "speak for themselves".

The U's sit fifth in the third-tier table after collecting 11 points from their opening half-dozen outings, the latest of which was a 2-1 comeback victory at home to Reading on Saturday. Both Cambridge goals came from defenders: Bennett headed the equaliser on 52 minutes before Kell Watts struck the winner, his second goal of the season.

Defenders delivering at both ends

Bennett, 24, was understandably delighted to get on the scoresheet, telling BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "I've spoken before about wanting to contribute more in the final third, and happy to do it quite early in the season, and hopefully I can get a few more."

The header was the product of deliberate work on the training pitch, with the full-back crediting assistant coach Adam Barrett. "It's something that me and Adam Barrett have worked on; me getting to the back post, and the way I attack it," he said. "I've had a few this season where I was a bit disappointed not to put them in the back of the net, but buzzing to finally score."

Bennett also highlighted the threat that Watts poses from set-pieces. "Kell is a massive threat from set-pieces and it's up to us to make sure we put good quality into the box for him to go and attack," he added.

Adapting to the third tier

Cambridge won promotion back to League One at the end of the 2025-26 season and Bennett acknowledges the step up has required adjustment. "There's no denying that the challenge was always going to be tough to step up," he said. "We've got to be adaptable, to continue to grow as a team."

Yet the defender is equally clear that the squad has shown it can compete. "We've put ourselves in a really good position and we have to be able to continue to develop and keep pushing, because we're more than capable of competing at this level, and more than capable of beating anyone, especially at the Abbey," he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Late goals masking a brighter picture

The fifth-place standing could, in truth, be even higher. Cambridge conceded late goals in four of their opening five matches, a pattern that cost them an estimated seven points. Bennett acknowledged the issue has been tackled head-on in training. "We're in League One. There's always going to be good quality coming onto the pitch to try and get a result," he said. "We've done a lot of work in training in previous weeks, particularly due to conceding late goals, and trying to stay professional."

The evidence from Saturday suggests that work is bearing fruit. A comeback win, secured by two defensive players, showed both the resilience and the set-piece potency that manager Mark Harris will want to build on.

Oxford next as the run continues

Cambridge travel to Oxford United this Saturday (kick-off 15:00 BST) in what promises to be a stern examination of their early-season credentials. With 11 points already banked and a growing belief running through the squad, the U's will arrive in confident mood.

For Bennett, the priority is simple: sustain the momentum and keep pushing up a table that, six matches in, looks more than a little inviting. "The results speak for themselves at the moment," he said, and it is difficult to argue otherwise.

Frequently asked

Where are Cambridge United in the League One table?
Cambridge United are fifth in League One after six matches, having collected 11 points from their opening games of the 2026-27 season.
Who scored for Cambridge United against Reading?
Defenders Liam Bennett and Kell Watts scored the two goals in Cambridge's 2-1 comeback win over Reading, with Watts netting the winner.
When is Cambridge United's next League One match?
Cambridge United travel to Oxford United on Saturday, with kick-off at 15:00 BST.