Cambridge United head coach Garry Monk critical of ‘out battled’ side in 2-1 EFL Trophy defeat at Cheltenham Town

Head coach Garry Monk has been critical of his Cambridge United players for being ‘out battled’ during their 2-1 defeat at lower-league Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy last night.

A U’s side showing eight changes from the weekend’s 4-1 win over Shrewsbury Town played well during the first half and they headed into the break a goal to the good thanks to Josh Stokes’ 45th-minute penalty.

However, two goals in the space of three second-half minutes – scored by Matt Taylor and Arkell Jude-Boyd – turned the tie around and sent the League Two Robins into the last 16 of the competition.

Monk said: “We had a really good first half. We were in control of the game and if anything, we should have added to the goal we scored.

“The most disappointing thing – not just the result – was we got out battled. That’s not something we’ve had to throw on the players this season. We’ve lost games but we haven’t lost a game through a lack of battle.

“When you come off it that little percentage and the opposition up it that little percentage, it makes a huge difference – especially at this level and that’s what’s won them the game.

“I’m disappointed with the result but even more disappointed at seeing my side out battled in the second half.

“We’ll reflect on it, go through it but it wasn’t through a lack of effort. It was that intensity level – we’ve been very good at that this season overall. We just came off it intensity wise and they got the upper hand and we never quite matched it again.

“I’d rather lose a game against quality and good play or tactically, but to lose a game on being out battled in that second half makes it very disappointing.”

United will aim to bounce back on Saturday (14 December) when they return to League One action away at high-flying Wrexham.