Derry leads ace Berry’s growing fan club
NEW Cambridge captain Luke Berry kept his cool to slot home a penalty and not only down relegationthreatened Dagenham but also prove manager Shaun Derry right.
Berry earned the U’s three points by netting from 12 yards after Robbie Simpson had been fouled by Joe Worrall.
The goal seven minutes from time settled an untidy match in which the U’s dominated for long periods but failed to turn possession into chances.
Earlier this week, Cambridge manager Derry named Berry as his captain for the rest of the season, replacing defender Mark Roberts.
“In the short time I’ve been here Luke has been mightily impressive with his character and his quality, and to have the armband on and get the winning goal was fitting,” said Derry.
“I’ve put pressure on him now to take his career to the next level, and hopefully having the armband will help him.
“It was a horrible afternoon due to the wind, but we found a way to affect the game. Dagenham made it difficult for us, but the substitutes made a real impact and Robbie Simpson came on and got us the penalty.”
Derry’s side could have had a spot-kick in the first half but referee Carl Boyeson judged Dominic Hyam’s foul on James Dunne to be just outside the box. The resulting free-kick from Berry was blocked by the wall.
Ashley Chambers saw a shot charged down after U’s keeper Will Norris had misjudged a swirling ball into the box, but on the stroke of half-time Cambridge could have taken the lead only for Mark Cousins to tip Berry’s shot round the post.
After the break it was one-way traffic as United attacked with the wind at their backs. But they were struggling to test Cousins until Simpson was brought down by Worrall as he tried to reach Lewis Page’s cross. Berry did the honours from the spot.
Despite the penalty incident, Daggers boss John Still praised young centre-backs Worrall and Hyam, who were playing their first game together in the absence of Justin Hoyte, whose wife was due to give birth.
“We’re making good progress,” said Still, whose team remain 23rd in the table. “The back four were very good despite being thrown together due to Justin’s situation. The centrebacks were brilliant.
“There was a resoluteness about us, and the ingredients we need to get away from the bottom two are showing weekly.
“I was pleased with our organisation and work rate, and I thought that was a really strong display.”