MATCH PREVIEW: JOHNSTONE’S PAINT TROPHY

Cambridge United will open their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy account for the 2015/16 season tonight at the Abbey Stadium, with a first round clash against Dagenham & Redbridge.

This evening’s clash marks the first occasion in which the two sides have met in the competition, with the U’s looking to improve on last year’s exit at this stage against Crawley Town.

Richard Money’s men secured an important point in Football League action four days ago away at Barnet FC, and will hope this evening’s First Round encounter can lead to a return to winning ways.

Wayne Burnett’s side have got their 2015/16 campaign off to a slow start, sat rock bottom of the Sky Bet League Two table before last Saturday’s clash against Stevenage as well as taking an early exit from the Capital One Cup, following a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Sheffield United two weeks ago.

However, equipped with the likes of Football League veteran Jamie Cureton and former Sunderland and Watford defender Nyron Nosworthy, the Daggers certainly carry some serious pedigree within their ranks.

When the sides met last season in the Football League, the U’s claimed a narrow 3-2 away win in September 2014 before a drawing 1-1 in the return fixture at the Abbey Stadium in January. However this evening’s opponents do edge the head-to-head records with three wins to Cambridge United’s two.

United boss Richard Money states the JPT is a competition his side will be treating with the respect it deserves, commenting: “The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is a competition that I think we should look to do well in, and that will reflect on the team that we pick. 

“The game will give us the chance to rebuild some momentum.

“This trophy ends with a Wembley final, and that to me means a Trophy really worth fighting for.”

Meanwhile, like his Manager Cambridge United forward Robbie Simpson also looks ahead to the tournament with great anticipation.

“It is probably our best chance of winning at Wembley Stadium again, so you have to take the tournament as seriously as possible.

“That starts with the game against Dagenham & Redbridge, who will be tough but we want to do the business and get that one step closer.

“Once you get past the earlier rounds, the final at Wembley doesn’t feel so far away and that it becomes a competition that you want to do well in.”

Tickets for this evening’s match are available online until 7.15 pm tonight, whilst supporters will also be able to walk up to the game prior to kick off and secure tickets from the ticket office.

The club will also be opening the doors to the Premier Travel Hospitality Suite and as always the Dion Dublin Bar, in which supporters will be able to enjoy hot and tasty curry before tonight’s fixture. More information on the Curry Night can be found here.