Cambridge United’s road to the fourth round

Van Gaal’s men travel to the quiet city of Cambridge this Friday for what is shaping up to be a tasty encounter in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. Media coverage has plagued the City but the U’s are not losing focus as they look determined to cement their club in the Fifth Round.

The mid-table, League Two side have asserted themselves well in the cup so far as they look to surpass the heights of 1989 through to 1991 where they reached the Quarter Finals in successive years.

The U’s got off to a flying start as they managed to overcome League One side Fleetwood Town (1-0), keeping only their second clean sheet of the season. The difference came when Fleetwood substitute Jamie Proctor saw red in the 73rd minute for fighting, just 12 minutes after coming off the bench and it was Kwesi Appiah who saw United through, coolly slotting home after a Robbie Simpson breakaway ten minutes from time.

The Second Round tie, against Mansfield Town, proved a little more difficulty as a last minute strike from Appiah was needed to secure a replay at Field Mill with the U’s managing to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with the away team.

The replay was a lot less dramatic. Sullay Kaikai scored early on for the visitors after his 20 yard effort took an unfortunate deflection to leave Mansfield’s goalkeeper, Sascha Studer, stranded. The home side had the better chances but lacked the composure to put them away, giving Cambridge a second clean sheet in the FA Cup and only their fourth of the season.

League Two promotion hopefuls Luton Town posed a greater challenge for Richard Money’s men but goals from Robbie Simpson (converting a chance that arose after his missed penalty) and Ryan Donaldson saw the U’s post a 2-1 home victory with a goal from the Hatters’ Michael Harriman 15 minutes from time only proving to be a small consolation. Andy Drury was presented with the perfect opportunity to cancel out Simpson’s goal but struck the ball wide of the open net.

Cambridge United’s progression into the Fourth Round of the FA Cup is their most successful run since 1999-2000, where they reached the Fifth Round before suffering a 3-1 defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers.