Match Preview: U's vs Imps

United host Lincoln City for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday 14th August looking to make it three League One wins on the bounce…

Form

Mark Bonner’s men come into this fixture off the back of successive League One wins, as well as an impressive 4-1 win against Oxford United in the Papa John’s Trophy last Tuesday. A brace from Sam Smith, as well as goals from Harvey Knibbs and Kai Yearn – who in turn became the U’s youngest ever goal scorer, sent the U’s to the top of Group H (Southern).

The weekend before, Shilow Tracey’s first-half strike was enough to earn United all three points against a previously unbeaten Bolton Wanderers outfit.

Despite only missing out on promotion to the Championship last season to a Kenny Dougall brace, Michael Appleton’s men currently sit a point above the League One dop zone – after falling to defeat in all three of their last three league games. Anthony Scully’s late penalty in Lincoln’s most recent League One outing only proved to be a consolation, as a hattrick from James Henry meant the points stayed in Oxfordshire.

The Imps have tasted success in the Papa John’s Trophy, sitting comfortable at the top of Group F (Northern) after picking up maximum points in their first two games. Most recently, goals from Scully, Adelakun and Hopper saw Lincoln cruise to a 3-0 win in Bradford.

A two-week hiatus in the season has come as a welcome break for Michael Appleton’s men, allowing many of his injured stars to return to full fitness, ready to propose a much tougher challenge for The U’s than they may have done prior to the international break.

Memory Lane

It’s certainly a tale of ‘less said the better’ when it comes to The U’s recent Football League history against Lincoln, with Saturday’s visitors boasting a 26-year unbeaten record against The Amber and Black Army in matched played in the top four tiers of English Football.

A crowd of just 2,472 attended a wintery Abbey in December 1995 to witness Tommy Taylor’s U’s last victory over Lincoln City. With Cambridge United only tasting victory throughout history on eight of the 36 occasions both sides have battled it out.

Outside of the Football League, The U's have tasted victory against Lincoln as recently as 2013, where Luke Berry bagged in a 1-0 win for United en route to Conference promotion.

Most recently, despite Jabo Ibrehe’s strike midway through the first half giving The U’s the lead, it wouldn’t prove to be enough as Neal Eardley and John Akinde responded to send Lincoln six-points clear at the top of League Two.

Quick Quotes:

Mark Bonner on the challenge of facing Lincoln:

If you look at the team they have available and the players they have got back coming into fitness, they are a really strong side – and they showed that last season, getting to the play-off finals. They have had a small turnover with players this summer after losing a lot of strong loans returning to their parent clubs over the summer.

“Michael [Appleton] has got them playing some good football, and they were a real threat in the league last season – they will this season too. Whilst they will look at the first few games and perhaps have wanted a better points return from it, they have been competitive and strong in a number of games and we know what they are capable of doing.”

Michael Appleton is expecting a tough battle against The U's: "Cambridge have loads of momentum and have picked up some good wins. They’re well organised and it will be a difficult test for us."

The Officials

Sam Purkiss, who was last put in charge of Plymouth’s clash with Fleetwood, has been appointed as Referee for Saturday’s game. Andy Bennett and Darren Blunden will be his Assistants and Daniel Cook is Fourth Official.

Tickets

The clash kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday September 11th, with tickets available online, over the phone by calling 01223 566500 (option 1) or by visiting the Abbey Stadium Ticket Office on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Matchdays.

Save money by purchasing your tickets in-advance of the fixture, as all prices increase by £2 when buying in-person on the day of the game. Please view advance prices below:

Ambulant Disabled supporters in receipt of higher level disability living allowance pay their relevant age category with a Carer Free of Charge, whilst the Wheelchair Disabled price also included the admission of a Free Carer Ticket, if required.

*Concessions = Seniors (64+), Young Adults (18-23), Serving or Retired Armed Forces and Full-Time Students

If you can't make the match, listen to live commentary courtesy of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire with an iFollow Audio Pass.