POST-MATCH: SHAUN DERRY
Shaun Derry says his side will take huge encouragement from a fantastic performance against League One Doncaster Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup at the Abbey Stadium this afternoon.
Despite dominating possession of the ball, shots on goal and the tempo of the tie for large periods of the game, a three goal burst in 12 second half minutes from the visitors saw the U’s bow out of the competition for 2015/16 season.
Speaking post-match the U’s boss was unable to hide his disappointment at the result, but took reassurance from an outstanding performance, which he described as the best yet since arriving at the club last month.
Derry said: “Over the course of large minutes of the game we were fantastic and have given a side who are a League above us, a great game. I certainly think Darren [Ferguson, Doncaster Rovers Manager] will feel they got off lightly today.
“I’m distraught with the result because I would say that was our best performance since I’ve been at the club.
“The level of performance are now starting to become a lot more consistent and we have to leave the disappointment of today behind us and move forward because there were so many positives.”
Reflecting on the turning point of the match after the half time break, Derry added: “The period after half time is a crucial stage in any game.
“We went into half time on the front foot and came out for the second half, lost our composure and lost the messages that were given out in the dressing room. We are disappointed not just individually but collectively at how that unfolded.
“However, we have to take a lot of encouragement from the game as a whole and go into next Saturday’s game away at Plymouth in the right mind frame, which is going to be an amazing atmosphere and another big afternoon for us.”