Up the Us

U’s in 5th Round of the FA Cup

For the first time since 2003-4, the U’s have reached the 5th round of the FA Cup – one step away from the quarter-finals, which they only ever achieved once in the same year that they beat the all-conquering Leeds United (1970-71).

A totally unexpected victory against a struggling Premier League Nottingham Forest included a memorable second hat-trick this month from Samson Tovide.  The U’s were 3-0 up at half-time from two of Tovide’s goals which bracketed a strike from Olav Petersen, then Tovide made it 4-0 almost from the kick-off for the second half.  A 74th minute strike from Giovanni Reyna threatened a comeback, but it didn’t materialise, as the U’s celebrated their best run in the cup for 20 years.

Tovide scores his Third

“We had no answer”, said Forest’s manager Steve Cooper.  “I put out a decent side which should have won, but these guys are high-energy and relentless.  Fair play to them.”

In the other two matches, the U’s plotted a route through to the BSM Trophy semi-finals with a win over Swindon, only 3 days after drawing with them, and a crushing victory at the Racecourse Ground, against arch-rivals Wrexham.  Max Dean scored his first and second goals for the club, as the U’s ran riot.

“We’ve had a good series of cup runs this season,” said manager Danny Cowley.  “Hopefully, the extra games won’t tell on us later, but the whole club and city are enjoying the excitement.

The U’s have an East Anglian derby against Norwich in the 5th Round of the FA Cup.  Should be a fascinating match-up.