Match Preview: the Nash vs U's

5 November 2022

Cambridge United’s Emirates FA Cup journey begins at National League North outfit Curzon Ashton in Sunday’s First Round clash...

The U’s are out to write some more cup history as they kickstart their campaign at the Tameside Stadium, but they’ll be wary of a potential banana skin against the optimistic Nash, who ply their trade three levels below Mark Bonner’s men.

How to Watch

Just shy of 500 tickets have already been snatched up ahead of the 2pm tie in Greater Manchester and fans should please note, tickets will not be available on the gate.

The match will not be broadcasted domestically, although it has been chosen for extended TV highlights on the BBC. On top of receiving minute-by-minute updates from the official Twitter account, U’s fans who can’t make it can listen to full live match commentary of the game via BBC Radio Cambridgeshire or on iFollow.

Opposition Focus

Formed in 1963, Curzon Ashton compete in the sixth tier of English football and have enjoyed a remarkable rise over the years. Several honours have been added in recent times, which includes successive promotions from the Northern Premier League in 2013/14 and 2014/15, where they’ve since held their own in the National League North, cementing their highest ever finish in 2016. On top of that, they’ve embarked on impressive cup runs – in last season’s FA Trophy, they recorded their best performance as they made the Third Round, falling to Alfreton Town. Stabilised, they look to capitalise on the potential banana skin.

Two consecutive losses was a tricky way to introduce the 2022/23 league season, but they responded in emphatic fashion by losing just one of their next seven. After seeing off Kidderminster Harriers and Kettering Town, they shared the spoils with Farsley Celtic. Chester sealed maximum points next, but they recorded eight points in their next four. In a recent schedule battered by cup clashes, they lost to Bradford Park Avenue, beat Boston United away from home, battled to a stalemate with Peterborough Sports before Hereford United consigned them to defeat last weekend. For their endeavours, they are languishing in 15th, just five points from 6th, and boast a couple of games in hand.

As for the ones to watch, central midfielder Josh Hancock has popped up with six goals so far, proving effective in and around the 18-yard box and integral to the team’s build-up play – he’s fed Tom Peers on several occasions, who’s bulged the onion bag 10 times. Captain Craig Mahon possesses leadership qualities and has been the driving force of the Nash midfield since arriving in 2020. Between the sticks, Chris Renshaw kept an impressive 13 clean sheets in 2021/22, has great agility and is out to make a name for himself against higher-league forwards.

Form Guide

Curzon Ashton: LWWDL

Cambridge United: LWLWL

United’s Approach

Rejuvenated from eight days of well-needed rest, the U’s are determined to bounce back from the derby day defeat at Peterborough United last time out.

Bonner’s men made a stern account of themselves throughout the encounter, but rued several golden opportunities and one defensive mistake which resulted in the decider in-front of a raucous atmosphere.

Reflecting on the 1-0 defeat, the Head Coach stated that, although “we didn’t want to lose this game,” he pointed out that “what probably displays the level of performance is that 2000 people cheer us and sing us off the pitch, because they know that if you give that level and you leave everything out there, you give yourself a great chance in the game.”

Undoubtedly a different type of match to approach, the visitors understand that they are the heavy favourites, therefore need to impose themselves from the get go and break down what will be an extremely spirited Curzon side.

In regards to team news for the weekend, Harrison Dunk could return to the squad, but Liam O’Neil could miss the next few weeks (ankle), George Williams is a doubt (shoulder) and Fejiri Okenabirhie has been ruled out for 10-12 weeks with a hamstring tear.

FA Cup Folklore

In order to secure the plum tie, the Nash have navigated their way through three qualifiers. Their journey began at FC United of Manchester in the Second Round, where they secured a 2-3 victory, before a stern Scarborough Athletic forced a replay after an entertaining 2-2 draw. The goals continued to pour in the replay, as Lakeland's team progressed thanks to a 3-2 win after extra time. Last time out, Josh Hancock’s penalty was enough to overcome Peterborough Sports as they put their name in the First Round for just the third time in their history.

The previous two times have resulted in success. In 2008/09, they dispatched League Two Exeter City before falling to Kidderminster Harriers in the Second Round. Most recently, they reached the same stage in 2016/17 and were leading AFC Wimbledon 3-0 up until the 80^th minute, but suffered a capitulation as the Dons scored four in 14 minutes to wreck their Third Round dreams.

It’s safe to say United have a bit of recent history in this competition. Whilst the early 1990s dished up their best-ever run of the Quarter-Finals, where they lost to Crystal Palace and Arsenal in consecutive seasons, they’ve made headlines since returning to the Football League. After taking Manchester United to a memorable replay at Old Trafford following a stalemate at the Abbey in 2015, they fell to a shock 4-3 loss at Guiseley in 2018, who too were in the National League North at the time. The U’s made an appearance in the Fourth Round last season, bowing out to Luton Town after achieving the euphoric feat of beating the richest club in the world, Newcastle United, on their own turf. And some say the FA Cup has lost its spark?

Officials

Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Assistant Referee: Peter Gooch

Assistant Referee: Nik Barnard

Fourth Official: Matthew Parry

Match Reports

United and Curzon play out stalemate to force replay

6 November 2022

Cambridge United were forced to settle for a First Round replay at the Abbey Stadium as they were held goalless against Curzon Ashton on Sunday…

After an even first half in which both sides had good opportunities to score, the U’s stepped up a gear in the second 45 minutes but couldn’t find that all-important goal to win the tie.

Just two changes were named ahead of the tie, with Harrison Dunk returning from injury to replace George Williams whilst Sam Smith’s recovery from a slight knock meant he came in to the team for Jack Lankester.

Playing in soaking conditions in unfamiliar surroundings, the game started off evenly with the gulf in league positions not necessarily translating onto the pitch. Dunk picked up an early booking after preventing Hayhurst from breaking forward into the final third but the subsequent free-kick was easily collected by Mannion.

With 12 minutes on the clock, United created the first clear-cut chance of the match as the attacking unit linked up well to play Brophy in down the left, who opted to pass the ball across the face of goal for Knibbs, but his finish was off-target.

As if Bonner’s men needed a reminder, the Nash had their first sight of goal just minutes later, as Peers isolated Rossi on the counter-attack before letting fly but the young centre-back got a vital deflection on the ball to send it out for a first corner of the contest.

Curzon came close from the set-piece, as a packed six yard box and good delivery caused problems for the U’s defence, but the shot on goal was again deflected wide of goal.

United began to gain more control of the game and saw a number of half chances go begging before the half hour mark. An important defensive header meant that Smith’s 20^th minute strike flew over the bar, before Ironside forced Renshaw into a simple save after latching onto Okedina’s cross with his head.

The home side continued to show a threat during periods of the game and Hancock blazed over the best chance of the half with 33 minutes played, as he failed to find the target from 10 yards out after the Nash won the ball back by the corner flag before working it into shooting position for the attacker.

Digby, not known for his left footed strikes, let fly from 20 yards and forced Renshaw to get down low and parry the ball away, before United’s best chance of the opening period, as Brophy broke with pace down the left hand side before playing the ball across for Knibbs, who opened his foot up to try and find the top corner, but narrowly missed the target.

There was to be one final opportunity for the home side in the first half as Dimaio volleyed over from 10 yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Both teams came out unchanged for the second period and it was a full-blooded restart to proceedings. Dimaio, who came so close at the end of the first half had another sight of goal early in the second and but for a brilliant last-ditch defensive block, might have opened up the scoring.

With just ten minutes played since the restart, Bonner brought on Lankester and Tracey in place of Smith and Dunk as the U’s looked to regain momentum.

Both players made an immediate impact, linking up well and playing with attacking intent and purpose. The pressure was beginning to mount on the opposition and Simper had a golden opportunity to score with 20 minutes remaining, as he was teed up from 8 yards out but denied by the outstretched foot of Renshaw.

Lankester came inches away from finding the net with a sublime free-kick effort on 80 minutes, before Worman replaced Simper for the final moments of the contest.

The Curzon threat had all but subsided by this point with the outcome of the game seemingly depending on whether they could hold out for a draw and replay back at the Abbey.

Late chances came and went as Knibbs arrowed a header over the bar following great play by Tracey to beat his man out wide before firing in a fizzing cross, and a goalline scramble soon after saw the ball fall just the wrong side of the post after a curling ball into the box by Worman caused chaos amongst the defence.

Just as it looked like the drama had ended, a late free-kick for the hosts bounced right in-front of Mannion who did well to palm the ball away and out for a corner. The U's defended the following set-piece and as the full-time whistle blew, the home players, staff and supporters understandably celebrated a historic draw.

Whilst it wasn’t the result that United were looking for, they know that they will have a second bite of the cherry back at home.

Standings