Martin Ling named a youthful side for the Cambs Professional Cup Final against Histon and was pleased with what he learned about the players, despite defeat.

Craig Hammond put the visitors ahead after 12 minutes when he turned home a rebound, Courtney Pitt - who boosted his match fitness by completing the 90 minutes - scored his second excellent free kick in three days to equalise, but former U Josh Simpson seized on a goalkeeping error to score the winner nine minutes from time.

"This was all about how much we could learn about the younger ones," said Ling afterwards.

"In the first half I don't think there was anyone over 19 in the back four and the goalkeeper, apart from Josh who's 20, and we had a couple of 17-year-olds out there; Blaine Hudson who started and Luke Berry who came on at half-time.

"It was the first time they've been involved and this was about finding out what I've got in the squad," he added. "I would have liked to play a completely under-21 side but with the lack of numbers in the squad some of the lads had to do a half each, and the lads who needed 90 minutes, like Courtney Pitt, got their 90.

"I'm happy with the exercise but this was a game that, for me, was too close to Saturday with the squad we've got. But we've got through it and no one's picked up an injury, and there were some impressive performances."

The game was strongly contested and even featured three bookings for fouls, but Ling confirmed that the result was never his priority: "Yes, it's a local derby and some people might think that I'm new to the job and if you want to impress the Cambridge people then you want to go out and beat Histon, but my bigger picture is where we end up in the league and how the league programme goes.

"I've always thought that the purpose of pre-season is to get the players to the first Saturday; on Saturday I thought it was right to put the first team out and tonight was about finding out about these players against a strong Histon team, and I think they coped quite well."

United's scholars learn their trade by competing in the Ridgeon's League, Premier Division under the banner of CRC, and Ling thinks the experience of playing mens' football stands them in good stead for a step into the first team.

"Their learning curve will be much better," he commented. "Watching them on Friday against Blackburn's youth team, they lost that one really late on but there were some really good performances and those two lads who came in today (Hudson and Berry) were the two that impressed me the most.

"They deserved the step up tonight and it's something we've got to tap in to; there's a steady stream of young players who come through and that's pleasing."

He also confirmed that transfer-listed winger Courtney Pitt has played himself into the first team picture with his performances in the two games since his recall, saying, "I can only judge from what I've seen and he's scored two in two after coming back in. He's done his job well and there are decisions to be made for Saturday, but he's thrown his hat in the ring, which is what I expected him to do."

The manager believes he is "nearly there" on a team selection for Saturday's match, although he warned, "Obviously I've got to get through a couple more days of training without picking up any injuries.

"I only came in a week ago - and it seems like the longest week in history - but we've had three games in that period, a lot of training, a lot of getting to know the lads, but I think I know all their names now so that's a start!"

With pre-season now complete, our Blue Square Premier campaign gets underway on Saturday at home to Barrow (3pm).

[Match Report] [Fixture List]

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