View from the Press Box Doug Shulman Last Saturday proved one of those unforgettable days at the Abbey, with returning fans swelling the crowd to a sizeable 6,444. They were treated to a fantastic opening day of the season too, as the U’s got their first campaign in League One for more than 19 years, up and running. I mentioned in this column last weekend, how much supporters had been missed, with Mark Johnson and I, along with our media colleagues, travelling up and down the country throughout last season to cover games in empty stadiums. But, until last Saturday, I did not realise just how much. I arrived just before 1.00pm, as I always do, with the atmosphere already building and, that reached a crescendo both when the players exited the tunnel at 3.00pm and, memorably, when Joe Ironside knocked in his dramatic second-half equaliser. Those moments are why we love football in the way we do.
“Mark Bonner’s men grew into the game against a very good Oxford side and looked stronger as the minutes ticked by” To be covering a game of that nature is special and, I was certainly not on my own amongst the press throng, in getting a little carried away when Joe’s penalty bulged the proverbial onion bag. To see the majority of the Abbey crowd – notably the biggest since 6,714 crammed in to see the 2-2 with Plymouth back in April 2016 – bouncing in delight, is one that will live long in the memory. Mark Bonner’s men grew into the game against a very good Oxford side and looked stronger as the minutes ticked by. Some may say they were let off the hook after the visitors passed up a couple of glorious chances to extend their
lead but, this U’s side have a knack of staying in the game and never giving up, hence their reward of a point. A characteristic that will serve them well this year. After tonight’s cup action we hit the road for two long trips, with Accrington this Saturday being followed by the 600-mile round trip to Plymouth next Tuesday. The BBC pool car will, therefore, be getting a good run-out, whilst we renew regular acquaintance with the motorway service stations which have become akin to reliable old friends over the years! ■ www.cambridge-united.co.uk
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