A first victory of the Sky Bet League One season is at stake for Cambridge United this weekend, whose return to action following the international break sees them do battle with Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium…
How to Watch
The U’s will be buoyed by another strong away following, with many already having secured their place for Saturday’s clash in Nottinghamshire - which gets underway at the earlier time of 12:30pm.
Fans who still wish to attend can buy their tickets from the One Call Stadium on Matchday.
This game has been chosen for live broadcasting on Sky Sports+, so those who are unable to make it can tune into their coverage. Elsewhere, UK supporters can listen to audio commentary on CUFC TV, whereas overseas supporters can stream via the service.
Opposition Focus
After years of knocking on the door, the Stags finally conquered the fourth division last time out – at the 11th time of asking - after keeping faith in the highly successful Nigel Clough and claiming 3rd position with an impressive 86 points. Since their promotion to the Football League in 2013, it had been coming, with two play-off finishes and two rankings of eighth in the previous six years. The ultimate aim now is survival, with enough calibre, experience and versatility in this squad to do just that.
A strong start has seen Mansfield tally five points from a possible 12 to firmly place them in the middle of the pack. Showcasing know-how in the final third, they secured a creditable 1-2 victory at Barnsley on the opening evening thanks to a rapid start that saw Stephen Quinn and Lee Gregory draw early blood.
From here, a topsy-turvy match at Field Mill resulted in a forced 3-3 share of the spoils thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from the hosts. This spirit couldn’t be replicated next up at Lincoln City, with the Imps storming to a relentless 4-1 win, but they bounced back with a decent point against early high-flyers Stockport County two weeks ago. Early signs, but already Clough and co have shown signs of stubbornness and a threat to unlock anyone.
Fluctuating between a 5-3-2 or a progressive 4-3-1-2 setup, what is a given is the intensity and drive the Stags bring to their game. The admired Christy Pym is an imposing goalkeeper and has been a mainstay since his 2022 arrival, whilst Elliott Hewitt, Deji Oshilaja and Baily Cargill are the central options with the likes of ball carriers - and former strikers - Lucas Akins and Jordan Bowery now suited to a role on the right side of defence.
At 38, Stephen Quinn remains indispensable in the middle of the park and continues to create alongside Louis Reed, with Hiram Boateng a really sound option who breaks up play. Many are excited to see what Australian international Keanu Baccus can add to the final third, whilst goals is a guarantee with talisman Lee Gregory and Will Evans, who plundered 25 for Newport County last season.
Losing star man Davis Keillor-Dunn on transfer deadline day was a blow, but the returning George Maris, Alfie Kilgour and Rhys Oates will all feel like new signings and ensure their first foray at this step since 2003 will be one to relish.
Form Guide
- 13/08/2024 – Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Mansfield Town (5-4p) – Carabao Cup Round One
- 17/08/2024 – Mansfield Town 3-3 Burton Albion – Sky Bet League One
- 20/08/2024 – Rotherham United 2-0 Mansfield Town – EFL Trophy Group Stage
- 24/08/2024 – Lincoln City 4-1 Mansfield Town – Sky Bet League One
- 31/08/2024 – Mansfield Town 1-1 Stockport County – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
United were agonisingly close to securing their maiden win of 2024/25 in spectacular fashion last time out, but late drama at Hayes Lane forced them into a 3-3 draw and the solitary point against Bromley in the EFL Trophy opener.
The Football League newcomers started in the ascendency and raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of Marcus Dinanga’s brace. However, it was to be a memorable evening for both Liam Bennett and Dan Barton – the Girton Golf Player of the Month – who either side of the break scored their first goals for the Club. Latching onto the momentum, Emmanual Longelo then capped his full debut by finishing off another well-worked move to flex their comeback credentials in what was likely to be the winner.
Despite that, the U’s couldn’t quite preserve their lead, as in the dying embers substitute Olufela Olomola capitalised, before scoring the decider from the penalty spot to seal the extra point in the opening Southern Group C game.
Analysing the performance and remaining upbeat, Garry Monk stated: “I feel like I’m repeating myself, there’s a lot to like but what we need to do is turn the periods into complete performances over 90 minutes… If we can concentrate and make some better decisions in crucial moments with some of the goals, it excites me.
“I know it’s not exciting in terms of the results, fans need results to feel confidence and I totally get that, but I feel excited as there’s a lot that’s good. I don’t think we’re far away; we’ve just got to learn to play with that urgency from the very beginning of games. Get rid of these individual mistakes and we’ll be a team to be reckoned with.”
The essence is there and United have shown promise, but just like at the back end of last season they’ll hope the international break came at a good time. Regrouped and refreshed from time on the training ground, the task is to maintain their positive final third outlet whilst finding ways to be more watertight. The opening victory of the campaign is the itch waiting to be scratched, which will be the catalyst in helping the points flow.
Form Guide
- 13/08/2024 – Cambridge United 1-2 QPR – Carabao Cup Round One
- 17/08/2024 – Cambridge United 0-1 Crawley Town – Sky Bet League One
- 24/08/2024 – Cambridge United 4-4 Blackpool – Sky Bet League One
- 31/08/2024 – Bristol Rovers 2-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 03/09/2024 – Bromley 3-3 Cambridge United – EFL Trophy Group Stage
Head-to-Head
- Mansfield Town Wins: 19
- Cambridge United Wins: 15
- Draws: 13
Last Time We Met
Saturday 20th February 2021 - Mansfield Town 0-3 Cambridge United - Sky Bet League Two
After battling it out for seven successive seasons following the U’s promotion into the Football League in 2014, it’s felt like a real hiatus since we last locked horns back in 2021.
On what proved to be a monumental afternoon at this weekend’s venue, a quickfire second-half brace from Paul Mullin and a late neat attempt from Harvey Knibbs secured a sublime 0-3 triumph to solidify their perch at the top of the table.
The line-up on that day: Burton, Knoyle, Taylor, Okedina, Dunk, Hannant, O’Neil, May, Hoolahan, Mullin, Ironside.
Boot in Both Camps
A promising youngster who went through the ranks with Leicester City and became professional in 2011, George Taft was on the cusps of the first team at the King Power Stadium and benefitted from early loans with Kettering Town, Karlstad BK and York City.
Ultimately unable to make the grade, he helped Burton Albion earn promotion to League One in 2015 and would then embark on four different spells with Cambridge - three loans and one permanent - either side of a two-year stay at the Stags between 2016 to 2018.
After departing the U’s during the Covid-stricken summer of 2020, the towering centre-back has appeared for Bolton Wanderers, Scunthorpe United and Worksop Town, with Northern Premier League outfit Mickleover his current employers.
Officials
- Referee: Martin Coy
- Assistant Referee: Abbas Khan
- Assistant Referee: Paul Stonier
- Fourth Official: Richie Watkins
