Cambridge United fell to a 2-0 defeat to C.S. Marítimo in the first of two friendlies in Portugal...
Taking place at the Estádio Municipal Bela Vista, Garry Monk named two separate starting XI's for each half, both featuring a number of youth team players as new signings Ryan Loft, Taylor Richards, Gary Gardner and Korey Smith were left out due to a lack of training sessions in the build up to kick-off.
Reyes, Bennett, Rossi, Digby, Andrew, Hoddle, Kachunga, Kaunda, Brophy, Kaikai and Lavery started the match, but after an intense few days of work in the Portuguese sun, the effects were evident as United battled the conditions as well as the opposition.
Monk's men were the dominant side for much of the first half, but two goals for the hosts, including one just before the break after a mix-up at the back, saw the U's go behind by two on the half-time whistle.
The second half saw a full change of line-up, as Stevens, Morrison, Ewens-Findlay, Okedina, Gibbons, Barton, Cousins, Holmes, McConnell, Munday and Ebanks-Blake took to the field.
Unfortunately, McConnell's time was cut short, as he withdrew with an injury just 10 minutes into the half.
The young U's performed well and had their more experienced opposition on the back-foot for the majority of the 45, but despite plenty of endeavour and positive entries into the final third, the match ended 2-0 as United look ahead to face Bromley on Saturday.
