Would Cambridge follow up their heroic display against Manchester United last Friday night? Or would the relative inferiority of a midweek clash against a Dagenham & Redbridge side facing a relegation battle in League 2 leave the U’s uninspired? Would the players be stirred to impress their manager for a place in the squad in next Tuesday’s priceless trip to Old Trafford? Or would the rematch against Manchester United be too weighty a distraction?

The general sentiment regarding this match seemed to be more on the ‘don’t care, I just want to play Man United again’ side when the stadium announcer forgot who the opponents were! There was a decent turnout – 4068 in attendance, which practically filled three out of the four stands – and the atmosphere was less electric than on Friday night (though of course the incessant chorus of “yellow-and-black-army” resounded across the Abbey Stadium). From the euphoria of playing against a Football Giant, the reality of playing against Dagenham was like a child realising that he or she must go back to school after a long holiday. It was back to League 2.

Nevertheless, the game kicked off with Cambridge on the front foot straight away. No signs of a hangover from the start.  The U’s exhibited total control of the opening exchanges, with the best chance coming off a mistake from the Dagenham keeper when his clearance was blocked and the ball trickled agonisingly wide of the post. Some might say they were doing to Dagenham what Manchester United should have done to them.

The opening goal came in the 23rd minute, when a corner kick was flicked on and then volleyed into the back of the net by Cameron McGeehan. 1-0 to Cambridge.

Cambridge were looking good. A lot of what we witnessed against Manchester United – an organised, physical side, excellent from set pieces – was on display. The half wore on without too many more chances, with the only decent opportunity coming after the goal scorer McGeehan nutmegged a defender and took a shot which whistled past the post. By half time, Dagenham had hardly had a sniff. 

The second half was a different affair. Dagenham came out firing, an early flurry of half-chances came to nothing, and it seemed that Cambridge had survived the worst of the storm, when a vicious in-swinging free-kick from close range was headed home to equalise in the 60th minute.

Suddenly it was game on. And while Dagenham never really threatened again, Cambridge pushed on. However, though a goal looked imminent, the U’s only managed to create a handful of chances before the final whistle – most notably a shot saved off the line in the closing stages.

All in all, not the best result for Cambridge, but they nevertheless remain just about within reach of a playoff spot. Ultimately, if they play well at Old Trafford, nobody will remember this result. On the day, Cambridge certainly did not have an FA Cup hangover, but neither were they drunk with an eagerness to perform. Perhaps what they needed was some FA Cup Magic.