By Michael Barnes - expert writer for YABA
Cambridge United take a break from League Two action with two cup ties in three days for Shaun Derry’s men – but is the hiatus in the League programme a welcome diversion or a distraction?
Sutton United visit the Abbey Stadium on Sunday for a first-round FA Cup tie before a quick turnaround sees local rivals Peterborough United in town two days later in the much-maligned Checkatrade Trophy.
After years of poor form in arguably the world’s greatest domestic cup competition, United have enjoyed some memorable days against top sides in the FA Cup in recent seasons.
The pinnacle was in January 2015 of course. Still riding on a wave of euphoria after their return to the Football League, Richard Money’s U’s picked out a plum from the fourth-round hat after Ryan Donaldson’s winner had given them victory over Luton.
“We’ve won the pools, haven’t we?” commented a stunned Money after drawing Manchester United at home in the fourth round. The two games against Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils are why fans follow their club through thick and thin and are written in Abbey folklore now.
Some argue the U’s have never quite been the same since those heady few days, although Luke Berry’s quadruple strike against Coventry in last year’s FA Cup suggested otherwise as United set up a date with Championship under-achievers Leeds United.
A brave home defeat meant that it was the Yorkshiremen rather than the U’s who would go on to suffer ignominious humiliation on the artificial surface at Gander Green Lane in leafy Sutton, scene of past legendary giant killings for those old enough to remember.
Against that background, United should be taking no chances when Sutton come to the Abbey this weekend. Nobody wants to be back-page headlines for the wrong reasons and Derry will be looking for a professional win on Sunday, whichever eleven he selects.
Tuesday’s clash with the Posh could be very different. The Head Coach has already publicly acknowledged the importance of the rivalry to the fans, diplomatically stressing the derby rather than the competition.
Fans nationwide have shown widespread apathy for the Checkatrade Trophy, with many boycotting the competition in protest – fearing the appearance of Academy sides as the thin end of the wedge and a back door to B-teams sneaking into the Football League.
Just 480 turned out to see United take on Southampton U21 last month, but Tuesday night could see a marked contrast, not through any sudden interest in the tournament, but because the U’s haven’t faced Posh in anger since 2001.
Talk this week has been of brisk ticket sales to visiting Posh supporters, with United fans either sticking to their principles or undecided whether to attend. Meanwhile, with barely 48-hours recovery time after Sunday, Derry seems certain to field a youthful line-up.
Neither fixture will be a distraction for those involved – and rightly so. Players just want to play. Sunday is important because there is always the chance of another Manchester United or Leeds experience to swell the coffers and lift a ho-hum season for Cambridge. Tuesday really doesn’t matter – or does it?
Up the U’s!
Photos provided and taken by Simon Lankester
Photos provided and taken by Simon Lankester
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