Cambridge United young pros get crucial chance to go out on loan in National League
A hectic end to the season in the National League is giving Cambridge United youngsters the opportunity to play some much needed matches.
It has been a difficult campaign for many of the club’s young pros as much of the pyramid structure was first put on hold and then cancelled because of the pandemic.
But the National League has been playing, and Andrew Dallas has proved a big hit after heading to Weymouth on loan in January.
He has now been joined on the south coast by Ben Worman, with the season going on until May 29.
“He )Worman) played a National League game on Tuesday night, 75 minutes, and it’s the best level he has played at so far,” said United head coach Mark Bonner.
“It was very good for him, playing in a 1-0 win.
“In a year I’ve spoken about a number of times for these young professionals that was very challenging, the number of games they’ve played has been so limited.
“Being in the squad is one thing, but he needs to play games. He has the opportunity to go and play nine games at the level he’s not played at before, so that will be a really good end to the season for him.
“It will give him some real momentum going into next season, and to give him a run of games that he has been starved off this year because he has been so limited with various things that have gone on.
“We hope that will be really valuable for him, as it has been for Andy (Dallas). The fact they’re together is good.”
There are other young U’s getting experience as well.
Before the last lockdown, Lewis Simper had been on loan at National League South side Concord Rangers. He returned to the U’s when the division was cancelled has been back at the Essex club preparing for a trip to Wembley on Monday, when they face Harrogate Town in the delayed 2020 FA Trophy final.
“They’ve had six friendly games in the build up to the final, so he is finishing the season with a strong run of games,” said Bonner.
“A couple of the other young boys that are here next year have been out with a few non-League clubs recently in view of securing loans for next season in the Conference and Conference South.
“It’s something we’re trying to get ahead of the game with, and trying to make sure their development that has suffered this year, without a doubt, can be best served in the remaining weeks of the season.”
Bonner added: “The National League is in a very strange situation compared to everybody else so there is a lot of football left to be played there.”
Read more
Paul Digby focused on helping get Cambridge United over the promotion line after loss to Stevenage
