Liam Bennett insists Cambridge United's opening to the League One season has already shown the newly promoted side belong at this level, after Saturday's 2-1 comeback win over Reading left them fifth with 11 points from six matches.

Defenders leading the charge

The 24-year-old centre-back opened the scoring at the Abbey Stadium in the 52nd minute, heading home to level the tie before Kell Watts grabbed the winner. It was Bennett's first goal of the campaign and he was direct about what the early-season return means.

"There's no denying that the challenge was always going to be tough to step up," Bennett told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. "We've got to be adaptable, to continue to grow as a team. The results speak for themselves at the moment."

Watts now has two goals already this term, both from set-pieces, and Bennett credited the threat his defensive colleague poses in the opposition box. "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 said.

Bennett's header was the product of deliberate work on the training ground. "It's something that me and assistant coach Adam Barrett have worked on; me getting to the back post, and the way I attack it. 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."

Late goals the one blemish

Cambridge's position could be even stronger. They conceded late goals in four of their opening five matches, a habit that has cost them an estimated seven points from a possible tally that would have them even higher up the table.

Bennett acknowledged the problem but pointed to work already done to address it. "We're in League One. There's always going to be good quality coming onto the pitch to try and get a result. We've done a lot of work in training in previous weeks, particularly due to conceding late goals, and trying to stay professional."

The 2-1 victory over Reading suggested that work is beginning to pay off, with Cambridge holding on to secure all three points for one of the first times this season.

Belief at the Abbey

Bennett's confidence stretches beyond survival in the division. The defender believes Cambridge are capable of troubling anyone, particularly at home.

"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 said.

That confidence will be tested quickly. Cambridge travel to Oxford United on Saturday (15:00 BST), a trip that will give the U's a clearer picture of just how high they can aim in the third tier this season. Five games in and with a win over a well-supported visiting side already in the bag, the signs are encouraging for a club that spent last season in League Two.

With defenders chipping in at both ends and a growing resilience under pressure, Cambridge look like a side still finding its ceiling rather than bumping against it.

Frequently asked

Where are Cambridge United in the League One table?
Cambridge United are fifth in League One after six matches, having taken 11 points from their opening games of the 2025-26 season.
Who scored for Cambridge United against Reading?
Liam Bennett equalised with a 52nd-minute header before Kell Watts scored the winner to give Cambridge a 2-1 comeback victory.
When is Cambridge United's next League One match?
Cambridge United visit Oxford United on Saturday at 15:00 BST.