Fresh from the weekend's win, Cambridge United make the short trip to the Lamex Stadium on Tuesday evening to take on Stevenage in their next Sky Bet League One clash…
How to Watch
A healthy contingent of over 800 U’s fans are set to be present in Hertfordshire for the midweek meeting, which gets underway at 7:45pm.
Supporters have until 9:30am on Tuesday to buy their tickets from cufctickets.com. Tickets will also be available on the day from Stevenage, subject to availability.
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports+ for fans in the UK who can’t make it to the game, whilst overseas supporters can stream the action live on CUFC TV.
Opposition Focus
Founded in 1976 following the demise of the town’s former club, Stevenage began as a United Counties League club, but progress was skyrocketed in the early 1990s thanks to three promotions in four seasons. Despite winning the Conference National in 1996, they were denied entry due to insufficient ground facilities – they eventually fulfilled that dream for good in 2009/10, however. The two-time FA Trophy winners are now solidified in League One following a sensational promotion in 2023, where they latched on their momentum by finishing an impressive 9th. Now under the tutelage of Alex Revell, the no-nonsense outfit are hoping to embark on another top-half finish.
It's been a satisfyingly consistent introduction to the season for Boro, who occupy 10th position thanks to five wins, two draws and four defeats. An opening day 1-0 success against Shrewsbury Town was followed by the sole win from their next six, accumulating five points from a possible 18. Nonetheless, from their previous four they have secured three successes either side of a last-gasp defeat at Peterborough United. Fresh from a tight win at strong-starters Mansfield Town, another tense encounter is poised - only Exeter City have shipped less than their seven. With three points separating Revell’s men from 3rd, the climb could be underway.
Operating with a 4-2-3-1 system, 22-year-old loan keeper Murphy Mahoney has impressed and should keep his place, with a settled back four of Kane Smith, Luther Wildin, imperious captain Carl Piergianni and Lewis Freestone ahead of him. Eli King is blossoming being alongside Louis Thompson as the anchors in the middle of the park, who allow former St. Johnstone man Daniel Phillips to roam into the final third. Jake Young occupies the left flank and is hopeful of stepping up at this level following a fine 16-goal showing with Swindon Town last season, whilst the likes of Jordan Roberts and Elliott List are consistent performers and always a threat. Up top, Northern Ireland international Jamie Reid has plundered just shy of 40 goals over the past two years and will look to get off the mark, with understudy Aaron Pressley also keen to make an impression.
Form Guide
- 28/09/2024 – Stevenage 1-0 Charlton Athletic – Sky Bet League One
- 01/10/2024 – Stevenage 1-0 Wrexham – Sky Bet League One
- 05/10/2024 – Peterborough United 2-1 Stevenage – Sky Bet League One
- 08/10/2024 – Peterborough United 2-0 Stevenage – EFL Trophy Group Stage
- 19/10/2024 – Mansfield Town 0-1 Stevenage – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
The duck was broken and the tide will now hopefully turn as the U’s registered their first victory of the season - and in 201 days – as they recorded a thoroughly-deserved 2-0 win against Wigan Athletic at the weekend.
A front-footed, industrious start was rewarded within the opening minutes when a well-worked move was deflected home from Elias Kachunga. The rub of the green continued when Korey Smith’s long-range shot forced an own goal and extended a lead that they showed no signs of surrendering on an extremely positive afternoon for Cambridge who are now up and running.
Delighted with the outcome, Garry Monk said: “I just can’t credit everyone enough. They stuck together, I told you there’s a really good spirit amongst them, we knew it was just a matter of time. It has taken longer than everyone would have wanted, but it’s only one win, we’ve got to remind ourselves of that.”
It’s all about looking forward now for United, who have rose up to 23rd in the table and reduced the deficit to safety to four points. They’ll look to use the taste of victory as fuel ahead of another busy week where six further points up for grabs,
Form Guide
- 21/09/2024 – Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 28/09/2024 – Cambridge United 0-2 Lincoln City – Sky Bet League One
- 01/10/2024 – Cambridge United 0-1 Rotherham United – Sky Bet League One
- 05/10/2024 – Exeter City 1-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 19/10/2024 – Cambridge United 2-0 Wigan Athletic – Sky Bet League One
Head-to-Head
- Stevenage Wins: 15
- Cambridge United Wins: 11
- Draws: 5
Last Time We Met
Tuesday 27th February 2024 – Stevenage 1-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
Our last meeting eight months ago saw the hosts gain the upper hand with a slender 1-0 midweek win to accelerate their play-off hopes. Stevenage started the game in the ascendency, putting pressure on United’s back-line with their trademark brand of direct attacks, with Jordan Roberts capitalising ten minutes from the break thanks to a long-distance shot. As time started to run out, the U’s improved the intensity and attacked with more purpose but couldn’t rescue a share of the spoils as they lost for the third match on the trot.
Boot in Both Camps
A popular figure in the game, leader Mark Roberts wore his heart on his sleeve with Stevenage prior to enjoying a spell with the U’s. The centre-back spent the early stages of his career up north with Crewe Alexandra, Northwich Victoria and Accrington Stanley before he pitched up with the Boro in 2009. An incredibly successful era saw him claim the FA Trophy, captain the side to the Football League for the first time in their history and then make it back-to-back promotions with a League Two play-off victory. He then immediately helped guide Fleetwood Town to League One before accumulating over 50 appearances for Cambridge between 2015 to 2017. A commanding figure who always boasted a goalscoring threat, he concluded his career with a fine four years at Warrington Town, retiring at the age of 38 in 2022.
Officials
- Referee: Ben Atkinson
- Assistant Referee: Declan O’Shea
- Assistant Referee: Stephen Brown
- Fourth Official: Charles Breakspear