Hello friends and welcome back to another update on my Cambridge FMS. This is a shorter one month post so that I’m able to wrap the season up in my next one without it becoming too long.
March 2014
The first game of the month was away to Leeds who were on a four game win streak and quite rightly favourites for the match. After a very intense first half Leeds took the lead in the 53rd minute taking advantage of our unfit right back and catching Maloney well up the field. I had to bring on LB Fernandez into this area and that immediately made a difference and we began to create decent chances. Julien Gorius grabbed the equalizer from a Fernandez through ball with seven minutes to go and deep into injury time the Spaniard found super sub Gibson who unselfishly squared the ball to Gorius to smash home the winner.
Following that excellent win at Elland Road we suffered two back to back defeats in which we got hammered away to Doncaster and followed that with a miserable effort at home to Plymouth. There could not have been a worse time to hit form like this especially with our next game….
FA CUP SIXTH ROUND: MARCH 15TH 2014
CAMBRIDGE UNITED V BIRMINGHAM CITY
A packed Abbey Stadium gave a warm reception to EPL side Birmingham City and the excitement was at fever pitch as the game kicked off. The visitors were soon keeping us busy but Wootten and Bennett were rock solid in the centre of defence and up the other end Fernandez was causing trouble with his curling free kicks but at the half it remained 0-0. As with the first half Birmingham started the stronger but failed to capitalize on their chances. Then on the 70th minute Darko Bodul (he’s going to be transferred by the way) gives the ball away in midfield, Birmingham attack — a shot – pushed away by GK Deniz Mehmet – another shot, again pushed away – a third shot……saved! Ball rolled out by Mehmet to Fernandez who quickly finds Walcott down the left flank and he speeds away like a greyhound and fierce shot – under the keeper 1-0!!!! Birmingham now pile everyone forward and for the next 14 minutes we defend resolutely and with time running out Fernandez finds substitute Smith down the left flank another breakaway – a cross ball and its Baston 2-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The stadium erupts like never before as we book our place in the semi-finals of The FA Cup!!
The draw for the semi-final was made and we will face Stoke City which considering the other half of the draw is probably the best we could hope for.
Following yet another FA Cup triumph I was approached by Birmingham’s rivals Aston Villa. I’ve delayed my decision until the end of the season which Villa agreed to.
The FA Cup had a negative effect on our league performance as we had to rely on a penalty converted by Julien Gorius to beat Hull by a single goal and by the time we played Peterborough three days later fatigue was a huge issue. I had to replace the entire team with back up players who struggled throughout the match but held on to gain a point.
For the final game of a very busy month we went to Loftus Road to take on QPR. Borja Baston gave us the lead with a powerful shot into the roof of the net from a Walcott though ball though it didn’t take that long for the home side to equalize from a corner. Javi Lopeze supplied the cross for a wicked glancing header by Baston to send us in front on the stroke of half time and as the second half progressed QPR once more brought the game back on level terms again from a corner. On came super sub Anthony Gibson with 15 minutes remaining and shortly after he met a curling free kick on the volley from Hernandez to send us in front once more. That was enough to demoralize the home side and we took the much needed three points.
Results Summary
League Table
We are still right in the thick of things and have a decent shot at automatic promtion which will be helped greatly if we can beat Bolton in the opening game of next month and we have a difficult away games to Sheffield United and Leicester. We will of course make an historic trip to Wembley for our FA Cup semi-final match against Stoke City.
Fixtures
That completes this update which I didn’t think I would bring to you so soon so I appreciate you taking the time to read back to back postings.
Darren Smith
3 июля, 2011 at 11:02
Ow its getting close now Kevin, cup fixtures tend to screw with lower league clubs in real life so your current league form is quite fitting. A tough end to the season but I still believe in your promotion push and maybe even a cup final. Good luck mate.
Kevin
3 июля, 2011 at 18:36
Hi Darren
Yep, we have some critical games ahead of us for sure.
Laxeyman
3 июля, 2011 at 11:10
Great FA Cup win, and decent in the league as well Kevin, it really is ridiculously tight up there at the top, and will go right to the wire. Hopefully you can pip the other challengers to that automatic promotion spot, good luck!
Kevin
3 июля, 2011 at 18:38
Hi Laxeyman
This cup run has been incredible though I’d rather get auto promotion at this point
Johnny Karp
3 июля, 2011 at 11:11
Awesome, simply awesome! You might be playing Europa League football next season, that’s the only thing I can think about! :) Well, promotion would be nice too but going to Wembley for the final would be immense! Best of luck Kevin, fingers crossed!
Kevin
3 июля, 2011 at 18:38
Thanks Johnny
The thought of Cambridge in Europe is just mind boggling!
Lye
3 июля, 2011 at 13:54
Hi Kevin,
Nice run in the FA cup. Once you get past Stoke, i am pretty sure you will play European football as Man Utd and Man City will play European football. I can’t believe it is so tight on top. Think you have to balance between cup and league game. A challenge for you. No doubt a playoff spot is secured but would love to see you take that automatic promotion spot. Good luck.
Kevin
3 июля, 2011 at 18:41
Hi Lye
I didn’t think about City and United already qualifying for Europe so if we can make the final……..WOW!
Sears
3 июля, 2011 at 15:08
FA Cup semi final!!! Tremendous achievement Kevin, especially considering that your a Championship club. Your looking good in the league too, all in all, excellent work Kevin.
Kevin
3 июля, 2011 at 18:41
Hi Sears
Thanks for the encouragement mate!
vaibhavc
3 июля, 2011 at 15:13
Hey Kevin
Great campaign in the Fa cup, European football maybe? A playoff spot is confirmed, whether you can get automatic promotion is not.
Kevin
3 июля, 2011 at 18:42
Hi vaibhavc
I know European football may be a reality!
Mike
4 июля, 2011 at 11:18
Hi Kevin, another fantastic cup win and a well deserved semi final at wembley to go with it! Hopefully your side can overcome stoke and get to that final. Its been an amazing cup run! The league is getting close now, but i think automatic promotion is only a few good results away.
Good luck for the final games of the season!
Kevin
4 июля, 2011 at 17:41
Hi Mike
Greetings from Canada and thanks for commenting again. looks like you are becoming a regular so I appreciate you making the effort to post a few words. I can’t belive this cup run myself — I’ve never had much luck at FM up until now so I’m just delighted!
Mike
4 июля, 2011 at 18:54
Thanks! Ive been reading all the stories for quite a while, I’ve just never found the time to comment before really. Its a fantastic run, and I cant wait to find out how you get on in the semi’s!
CsAtlantis
5 июля, 2011 at 00:01
Congratulations on getting a job offer from Villa, that’s a great cup run you are on, and still in the hunt for promotion, just 2 points behind 2nd too, keep it up
Ana Garcia
5 июля, 2011 at 21:29
Just managed to read both posts just now and its soooo close at the top!
You have a good goal difference but the teams ahead of you have slightly better so you may have to be very free scoring in your final league games!!
Good look, cant wait to see how it ends!! :)