Cambridge United faced League Two newcomers Bromley in the second of their two pre-season friendlies whilst out in Portugal…
Goals from George Munday and Shayne Lavery in the first of two 60 minute games helped earn a 2-2 draw, before a much younger U's side succumbed to a 2-0 defeat.
Stevens, Digby, Rossi, Andrew, Brophy, Gibbons, Hoddle, Kachunga, Kaikai, Lavery and Munday started the first hour of action, but it was a bad start for the U’s, who went behind after just a minute.
It didn’t take long for United to respond though – the lively Lavery getting in behind the defence, before squaring it across for Munday to complete the simple finish.
The U’s were beginning to purr as wave after wave of attacks came at the Bromley defenders. A swift move saw Gibbons released down the right-hand-side, and his first-time ball across the six-yard-box was into the feet of Lavery, who couldn’t quite get it under to get a shot away.
Kaikai, who was having an influential role within the game, broke through on goal on 29 minutes, but his lifted shot struck the crossbar and bounced away.
Just before the first break in play, Bromley came close to retaking the lead with a close-range header that flew over the bar.
Immediately after the restart, Stevens pulled off a brilliant save from point-blank range to deny the Bromley forward from heading in. Lavery was once again released behind the opposition backline soon after, but his scooped finish over the on-rushing goalkeeper fell just the wrong side of the post.
Becoming more and more familiar with the new system and preferred style of play for the upcoming season, the U’s were progressing the ball well through the thirds and looking in-sync. If it wasn’t for a stubborn Bromley back-line, and some wayward finishing, United would have likely scored many more goals in the first game.
After coming close to scoring at one end, when Kachunga wriggled his way into the box before squaring just behind the on-rushing United attackers, Bromley made it count at the other, as they sprung a quick counter-attack on the U’s to make it 2-1.
United replied once again though - this time Munday playing provider for Lavery, the young forward releasing his strike partner on the half-way line, and Lavery running through on goal before finishing into the bottom corner.
Only Brophy remained on the pitch at the start of the second 60-minute game, as a more youthful team was put out by Monk.
Reyes, Morrison, Ewens-Findley, Okedina, Bennett, Barton, Cousins, McConnell, Brophy, Kaunde and Ebanks-Blake lined up for the U’s, with Holmes replacing Brophy after 15 minutes.
The second half was a tougher proposition for United, as the more experienced South Londoners went two goals up without reply. Ebanks-Blake came closest to reducing the deficit, skewing wide after making a positive run into the area to open up space for the shot.
The U's applyed pressure towards the end of the game, but they couldn't find a way through and the contest ended 2-0 to Bromley, 4-2 to them overall. Despite the scoreline, it was a great workout for Monk’s men who will now rest up ahead of travelling home tomorrow.
Next up in the pre-season schedule is a trip to Braintree on Friday and Ebbsfleet on Saturday.
