Mark Bonner delighted to make FA Cup progress as Cambridge United ease past Northampton Town
Mark Bonner reflected on a job well done as Cambridge United progressed to the second round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 first-round replay win over Northampton Town.
Harvey Knibbs, Sam Smith and Ben Worman were on target for the U’s, who had been held 2-2 at Sixfields in the initial tie 10 days earlier.
The victory gives United a home match in the next round on Saturday, December 4 against Exeter City, who beat Bradford City 3-0 after extra time in a first-round replay.
“What tonight does is get us in the next round, which is really important,” said the United head coach.
“That being a home game will give us a little break from the league where we will have a Tuesday/Saturday home game, and I think it gives us a run of four games at home.
“It’s a really busy cycle but we wanted to respond well from Saturday and be better than we were when we played up at their place.
“I thought at times we played some really good football. I thought we looked a good attacking threat, we had to defend against some aggressive forward play. They make you defend well. They put the ball in the corners and the channels to make you defend your box from open and set plays.
“We looked a bit edgy and nervy to start with, but we found our way into the game quite nicely.
“I thought the goals we scored were very good and we might have had one or two more, with some really good attacking play.
“Some good performances, an important result and progress into the next round of the competition which, ultimately, is what it’s all about.”
It was the ideal response to the 4-1 defeat to MK Dons in League One last Saturday, and sets them up for the trip to Rotherham this Saturday (November 20).
“We know how tough the next run of games is for us and we know the challenge that is ahead of us,” said Bonner.
“But every win is good. It’s good for confidence and the lads will take that, it’s a nice habit to get into when you can respond in those ways.
“We had to deliver a decent performance and we did, I was pleased.
“I think they are a good side, Northampton. They are having a great season and will be right up. They are doing a good job, Jon (Brady) and Colin (Calderwood), and building a good side, and good luck to them for the rest of the season as I think they’ve got a really good chance of challenging this year.”
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Cambridge United cruise through to FA Cup second round with replay win over Northampton Town
Cambridge United suffer defeat to MK Dons in Sky Bet League One
