Cambridge United’s next Sky Bet League One task sees them make the mammoth journey down to Devon this weekend to pit their wits against Exeter City at St James Park…
How to Watch
Over 200 ardent supporters have already picked up a ticket for Saturday’s trek, which gets underway at 3pm.
Fans who wish to join them can pay on the day from the Ticket Booth in the Fan Zone at St James Park.
Unable to attend? Be sure to back the boys from home via your CUFC TV account. Overseas supporters can stream the game live, whilst UK U’s can tune into audio commentary.
Opposition Focus
Starting out in 1901 as St Sidwell’s United, the hosts have plied their trade at Saturday’s venue ever since and earned their Football League bow in 1920 following an invitation to join. A stable outfit fluctuating between the Third and Fourth Division throughout the decades, the Grecians found themselves in the Conference Premier at the start of the millennium, but successive promotions between 2008 to 2009 saw them rise to the third tier. Most recently, they were very much part of the League Two furniture, but their 10th attempt paid dividends when Matt Taylor put things right via the play-offs in 2021/22. Extremely respectable rankings of 14th and 13th have seen City comfortably avoid the drop, and with the ambitious Gary Caldwell at the helm – who has helped strengthen and gain momentum – they’ll fancy their chances against anyone.
There will be very little complaints with the Grecians’ start, who occupy the top ten thanks to four wins and a draw from their opening eight. Only two sides have conceded less than their record of six, so there’s been plenty of grit and determination in their performances thus far. An opening day 1-0 success at home to Rotherham United set the tone from the very start, but spirits were dampened after originally taking the lead against both Northampton Town and Exeter City, only to lose out by a tight one-goal margin. Since then, progression has been evident. A 0-2 triumph at Bolton Wanderers was followed up by a defeat at Steve Bruce’s Blackpool. They enter this weekend’s battle with three consecutive clean sheets to their name, after dispatching a resolute Stevenage 2-0, forcing Wigan Athletic to a stalemate and most recently overcoming Leyton Orient 0-1 in the capital.
At their best with a three-at-the-back system, Exeter have a reliable pair of hands in 20-year-old Joe Whitworth, who has kept five shutouts already. Pierce Sweeney is the commander just ahead and has a youthful pairing of Johnly Yfeko and Tristan Crama alongside him, who both read the game well. Summer signing from Partick Thistle, Jack McMillan, occupies the right, whereas Finnish Ilmari Niskanen is another pluck from the Scottish league who possesses the energy. Ryan Woods, Ed Francis and loanee Kami Doyle are part of the creative hub for the likes of the experienced Josh Magennis, Millenic Alli and Amani Richards.
Form Guide
- 14/09/2024 – Blackpool 2-1 Exeter City – Sky Bet League One
- 21/09/2024 – Exeter City 2-0 Stevenage – Sky Bet League One
- 24/09/2024 – Exeter City 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur U21s – EFL Trophy Group Stage
- 28/09/2024 – Wigan Athletic 0-0 Exeter City – Sky Bet League One
- 01/10/2024 – Leyton Orient 0-1 Exeter City – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
The U’s were dealt further turmoil on their home patch a few days ago when Rotherham United inflicted a last-gasp 0-1 victory to deny a second point of the League One season and first clean sheet.
On what was an significantly improved performance, where United limited Steve Evans’ men to very little throughout the evening, a share of the spoils looked to be a more than fair reflection. Nonetheless, they couldn’t see it out as a cross bounced off Sam Nombe from yards out and into the net to cap further frustration.
Reflecting on the evening, Barry Corr said: “They didn’t deserve that. They know that they put in a proper, really committed performance. They’re upset they didn’t come away with something, but we have to have that type of fight and commitment as a minimum every week.”
Perhaps looking to adopt a siege mentality to help terminate the statistic of zero victories from the first eight, the Assistant went on to state: “We need the supporters behind us at the moment, we need to make sure we put in performances that keep the supporters behind us and then hopefully they can turn things around.”
Form Guide
- 14/09/2024 – Mansfield Town 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 17/09/2024 – Cambridge United 1-2 Charlton Athletic – EFL Trophy Group Stage
- 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
Quick Quotes
Monk on righting the wrongs: “I’m happy with their effort and what they’re doing – we’re just on the wrong side of the margins. We’re not going to lose any faith, we’re going to try, give everything we’ve got and go to the next game.
“It is strange because I’ve never been in a period this prolonged - I don’t think many have. The job is to shut the outside noise off, concentrate on what you’re doing well, keep believing in yourselves and trust that it will turn… My duty is, for every single second I’m at this club, is to give everything I’ve got.”
Team News
The Head Coach delivered an extensive injury update on Thursday, mentioning that Brandon Njoku is fine for selection despite hobbling off in midweek. A back issue for Zeno Ibsen Rossi forces him out, whilst Kell Watts is back in training and Gary Gardner is expected to join him during the international break. Winger Taylor Richards is expected to be out for at least another six weeks.
Head-to-Head
- Exeter City Wins: 26
- Cambridge United Wins: 32
- Draws: 14
Last Time We Met
Saturday 20th January 2024 – Exeter City 0-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
The sides recorded a battle-hardened stalemate during our last meeting at the turn of the year. A fair reflection of the cold afternoon was a valiant, albeit scruffy, away performance - where they were organised and did the basics right, seeing out numerous spells of bombardment from the Grecians to seal a tenth clean sheet of the campaign. The line-up that day: Stevens, L. Bennett, R. Bennett, Morrison, Andrew, Digby, Cousins, Kaikai, Kachunga, Brophy, Taylor.
Boot in Both Camps
An icon during two contrasting eras for Cambridge United, Robbie Simpson also linked up with Exeter City during the latter stages of an impressive career. Born in 1985, the striker made his name with neighbours Cambridge City between 2002 to 2006, scoring a total of 42 goals to earn a move to the U’s. From here, he became prolific and impressed supporters with his all-action style. Inevitable interest meant it was a short stay, as he ventured for the Football League with the likes of Coventry City, Huddersfield Town, Oldham Athletic and Leyton Orient. Fittingly, he made a popular return to CB5 following the iconic 2014 promotion campaign and helped preserve their status over the next couple of years. Robbie became a Grecian following his release in 2016, before relocating closer to home with MK Dons and most recently National League South outfit Chelmsford City – with whom he has managed since March 2020.
Officials
- Referee: Scott Tallis
- Assistant Referee: Ciaran Fidler
- Assistant Referee: Oliver Spender
- Fourth Official: Adam Ricketts