Cambridge battled their way to an opening day victory at Northwich.

Dino Maamria's men looked the more likely to score early on, with Joel Byrom just off target after 16 minutes.

But Cambridge weathered the early storm, and it was Felino Jardim who scored the winner in the 28th minute with a well-struck shot.

After the break, the best chance fell to Northwich's Matt Crowell but Cambridge keeper Danny Potter produced a superb reaction stop.

Northwich: Tynan, Sutton, Brown, Welch, Roberts, Mullan, Byrom, Crowell (Flynn 76), Barrett (Byrne 60), Stamp, Steele (Allan 59).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Bailey.

Booked: Sutton, Allan, Byrom.

Cambridge Utd: Potter, Gleeson, Tonkin, Bolland, Hatswell, Parkinson, Challinor, Carden, Jardim (Jones 75), Beesley (Farrell 90), McEvilly.
Subs Not Used: Coulson, Hoyte, Willmott.

Booked: McEvilly, Gleeson, Parkinson.

Goals: Jardim 28.

Att: 1,445

Ref: T Harrington (England).