Cambridge United progressed to the third round of the Emirates FA Cup with a gutsy away performance at Stockport County, prevailing in a tie that went all the way to penalties...
After 120 minutes of stalemate - where the U’s more than matched their League One hosts - spot-kicks proved decisive as United held their nerve. Five former Academy players featured for the majority of the contest, marking a proud afternoon for the football club.
Neil Harris made three changes to the side that faced Bristol Rovers in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday, with Jake Eastwood, Kell Watts and James Brophy all returning to the XI. George Hoddle also retained his place in midfield for a third successive match.
Despite suffering a shoot-out defeat in midweek, the U’s arrived on a seven-game unbeaten run. But from the early exchanges, it was clear they were facing one of their sternest tests of the campaign: a Stockport County side pushing hard for promotion.
Watts was called into action twice inside the opening 10 minutes, producing vital interceptions inside his own penalty area to halt threatening County attacks.
Former Posh forward Mothersille - roundly jeered by the travelling Amber Army - recorded the first effort on target, but his curling strike was comfortably claimed by Eastwood.
Cambridge then suffered an early setback when Bradshaw was forced off on 18 minutes through injury, with Liam Bennett introduced. The visitors struggled to retain possession and build any rhythm, and their first meaningful chance didn’t arrive until the 37th minute: a free header from Watts following a deep free-kick, gathered easily by Addai.
Momentum began to turn, however, and just before the interval the U’s created their best opening of the half. Kachunga slipped in Kaikai, whose left-footed strike was palmed away - an opportunity that went begging as the half ended goalless.
Stockport started the second half brightly, with Diamond forcing Eastwood into a strong parry from distance. But United soon settled once more, stitching together a string of promising moves. Ben Knight was influential, driving play forward with purpose.
Kachunga headed wide from a corner that followed a slick counter-attack involving Knight, Mpanzu and Brophy, before a crucial diving block from Gibbons denied Lowe at the other end.
Harris introduced Mayor and Munday just after the hour mark, and the changes helped United maintain their structure and limit Stockport’s threat. The hosts grew increasingly frustrated as the visitors continued to disrupt their rhythm.
With 78 minutes played, United almost produced a goal straight from the Academy pathway. Hoddle intercepted play before feeding Munday, who opted to square for Mpanzu rather than shoot. His effort was turned behind for a corner - another near miss.
McConnell replaced Knight late in normal time, and although Bennett flashed a speculative effort across goal, there was no breakthrough as the tie moved into extra time.
Early in the additional period, Kaikai was sent through by Hoddle but couldn’t beat Addai. Moments later, the travelling fans briefly celebrated what they thought was the opener, only for a disallowed goal to cut the moment short.
Smith and Purrington were introduced before the extra-time interval, and United almost struck when Mayor’s low driven shot looked destined for the corner, only for a superb last-ditch challenge to intervene.
A fiercely contested duel between Wootton and Watts escalated in the second period of extra time, with Stockport appealing for a red card for an alleged elbow. The referee deemed it only worthy of a yellow.
Stockport pushed hard for a late winner, but the U’s continued to stand firm, taking the tie to penalties.
United were faultless from the spot - Smith, Watts, McConnell, Mayor and Gibbons all converting - to seal a perfect 5/5 shoot-out and spark jubilant celebrations as the U’s booked their place in the coveted Third Round draw.