SHAUN DERRY ASSESSES “MAJOR WIN” OVER SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Cambridge United Manager Shaun Derry described the U’s 2-1 win AET against Sheffield Wednesday as “a major night at the Cambs Glass Stadium.”United fought back from a 1-0 deficit, with Piero Mingoia producing one of the best goals to have been scored at the Cambs Glass Stadium to level the game, before Luke Berry registered a last gasp winner in extra time to ensure the U’s progressed into the second round of the EFL Cup.
Having stepped off the field from a jubilant reception, Derry reflected on a momentous night for the club and commented: “The cup competitions are always nice when you get through, but when you beat Sheffield Wednesday at home in front of 4,000+ fans on a Tuesday night, it’s a fantastic feeling.
“You speak about aspects that typify a football club and I felt we showed that in abundance tonight. We were resolute and determined to hang in the game when we needed to be, and then we came up with some real elements of quality at the right times.
“That quality was exemplified in a stunning strike from Piero. That should be the highlight of the night because you will struggle to see a better goal than that anywhere this week in the EFL Cup.
“He is such a brave player both in possession and when off the ball, and he took his knocks too but just carried on. It was a goal that was good enough to win any game.
“After the full 120 minutes of football, we were worthy winners on the night. Everyone who pulled the shirt on tonight did their job, including the three players who came on from the bench and made a real impact.”
The U’s boss is confident the cup upset can spark a wave of momentum as United return to Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday afternoon at Colchester United.
He said: “We have to take this result forward into the weekend’s game, and again we’ll have to use our full squad of 20 players.
“Saturday is another massively important game to us, so we’ll have to look after the players and make sure that the squad have recovered properly after 120 minutes. But the feel-good factor of tonight should take this football club forward.
“We’ll all enjoy the moment but will be fully focussed come Saturday on our next task in hand.”
Tickets for the U’s next two away fixtures against Colchester United and Doncaster Rovers are available here, as well as United’s return to the Cambs Glass Stadium against Carlisle United on Saturday 20th August.
It’s also not too late to secure a place for the entire 2016/17 at the Cambs Glass Stadium, and make huge savings across the ground on the sum of match tickets, with a 2016/17 season ticket. Click here to buy.