DERRY DELIGHTED WITH “ACCOMPLISHED” DISPLAY IN SHREWSBURY WIN

Cambridge United Manager Shaun Derry felt that all aspects of his side’s performance against Shrewsbury Town in the Checkatrade Trophy provided reasons to be positive.

United produced a solid defensive display during the second half of last night’s opening group clash, to protect their one goal advantage given to them by Joe Pigott in the 19th minute.

Speaking post-match, Shaun Derry commented: “We always believe in the way we play by taking the game to the opposition, and I felt we did that by producing a very accomplished performance against players who usually compete at a level higher than ourselves.

“We’re delighted to also pick up the clean sheet, and we don’t want it to end here because we must take it into the weekend.

“We work on many aspects of our game, and although we are a team who likes to attack and play on the front foot, there will be times when you can’t always have it your way. Tonight we dug our heels in when we needed to, and showed a bit of everything.”

One further positive from the night, saw 16-year old Leon Davies become the second youngest player ever to represent the U’s as he made his senior debut at New Meadow.

Having been at the club since the age of eight, and developed through the Academy after progressing from one of the club’s Regional Development Centres, Derry feels last night was an occasion of huge pride for both the first year scholar and the club itself.

“It’s a fantastic night for Leon obviously and his parents, who made the journey and were sat in the away end. It was the right game to give him his debut.

“We’ll continue to make sure that we look after his development in the right way going forward, but this match will give him a great deal of hope and confidence.

“It’s pleasing for everybody within our Academy also, because he has been at the club since eight years old and it’s great to see one of your own pull on the shirt.”