How released Portsmouth youngster is flourishing in Cambridge United promotion push

Rejuvenated Adam May is driving a promotion push as he rebuilds his career at Cambridge United.
Adam May is flourishing at Cambridge United as he rebuilds his career. Picture: Joe PeplerAdam May is flourishing at Cambridge United as he rebuilds his career. Picture: Joe Pepler
Adam May is flourishing at Cambridge United as he rebuilds his career. Picture: Joe Pepler

The former Pompey midfielder netted his second Football League career goal in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Grimsby.

And that helped the U’s into fifth spot in League One, three points off the automatic promotion spots.

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However, after snapped up by Cambridge in September on a one-year deal with a 12-month option, he has flourished.

Now aged 23, he has made 23 appearances this season, of which 14 have been starts, as he thrives with regular first-team football.

May was introduced into Pompey’s first-team by caretaker boss Gary Waddock in April 2015, when he came off the bench against Bury.

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Aged 17 years, four months and 13 days, he went on to make 30 appearances.

However, his last Pompey outing was in February 2019 against QPR in an FA Cup replay as he faded from the first-team picture.

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He was unsurprisingly released in July, having failed to make an appearance in the 2019-20 campaign.

Under Cambridge head coach Mark Bonner, May is now blossoming, opening the scoring in the fourth minute against Grimsby on Saturday.

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Paul Mullin extended the lead in the first half and although Elliott Hewitt pulled one back 18 minutes from time, the U’s held on for a 2-1 win.

It was more misery for struggling Grimsby, who remain in the League Two relegation zone and have ex-Pompey favourite Ben Davies as first-team coach.

The Mariners named former Blues League Two title winners Danny Rose and Kyle Bennett in their starting XI, although both were withdrawn in the second half.

Davies had briefly been in charge after Ian Holloway walked away two days before Christmas, but Paul Hurst has now rejoined as manager.

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They occupy the slot second from bottom on goal difference, although have played more games than teams immediately above them.

Rose joined the Mariners in the summer after departing promoted Swindon, while Bennett linked up in October from Bristol Rovers.

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