Coventry City were defeated 2-0 by Sutton United in the opening pre-season fixture of the 2018/19 schedule on Saturday afternoon.
In a game brought forward to 1pm due to England's World Cup Quarter Final, the heat proved stifling as the Sky Blues worked to get their passing game going against a physical and direct Sutton side.
Coventry City Manager Mark Robins played two different sides in each half of the game. In the first half side, new signings Brandon Mason, Zain Westbrooke and Reise Allassani all featured, while Max Biamou lead the line after penning a new three-year deal yesterday.
Sutton were the side with most shots on goal in the early period, albeit from long range. Beautyman was among the home players to force Lee Burge into work, while Biamou headed over for the Sky Blues after 20 minutes from a corner.
There was nothing between the two sides until the 30th minute when Sutton took the lead following a mix-up in the Sky Blues defensive line. A back pass by Westbrooke was wide of Burge, and ended up in the net for an own goal.
Despite Reise Allasani having a good effort on goal just before the break from the edge of the box, City went into the break 1-0 behind.
It was all change in the second half, with a completely new line up for Mark Robins side. Jonson Clarke-Harris was up front after making his return to the Sky Blues a permanent one this Summer, and new boy Bouwe Bosma started the second period in central midfield.
There was no action of note up until the 57th minute when Sutton doubled their lead. After the Sky Blues failed to clear the ball, Dundus fired into the net for the home side from edge of the box.
In a quiet second period, Ponticelli had a shot blocked and Camwell's effort went wide as the Sky Blues fell to a 2-0 defeat in the opening pre-season fixture.
The Sky Blues squad travel to Spain next, with the next fixture a game against Everton Under 23s on Friday morning.
CCFC XI - First Half: Burge, Grimmer, Hyam, McDonald, Mason, Westbrooke, Doyle, Bayliss, Allassani, Shipley, Biamou.
Subs: O'Brien, Thompson, Maycock, Ponticelli.
CCFC XI - Second Half: O'Brien, Hickman, Thompson, Davies, Camwell, Bosma, Maycock, Eccles, Ponticelli, Clarke-Harris, Trialist.
Subs: Mason, Westbrooke, Shipley.
ATTENDANCE: 453