The first of back-to-back home outings in Sky Bet League One sees Cambridge United welcome Northampton Town to the Cledara Abbey Stadium this weekend…
How to Watch
Tickets are selling fast for Saturday’s designated Foundation Matchday, which gets underway at 3pm.
It is anticipated that some areas of the ground could reach its capacity, so avoid disappointment by securing your tickets in advance either online at cufctickets.com, over the phone by calling 01223 566500 (option 1) or by visiting the Ticket Office. All prices increase by £2 on the day of the game.
Unable to attend? Be sure to back the boys from home via your CUFC TV account. Overseas supporters can stream the game live, whereas UK U’s can tune into audio commentary.
Opposition Focus
Founded in 1897, our visitors were admitted into the Football League just 23 years later and were a regular feature in the Third Division South. A remarkable rise in the 1960s under Dave Bowen saw the club achieve three promotions as they secured their place in the top tier of English football for the solitary campaign in 1965/66. Contrastingly, they had returned to the Fourth Division by 1969 – a new record of moving to and from the levels in the space of nine years. A steady few decades followed, with a recent battle ensuing between League Two and One. Under Jon Brady, Northampton achieved promotion at the second attempt in 2022/23 after finishing 3rd, before showing excellent signs of consolidation last time out by recording a ranking of 14th – their best in the third tier since 2008. The Cobblers haven’t quite kicked on this time around, with the manager stepping down and being replaced by Kevin Nolan in December, who remains on course to steer his side to safety.
Heading into the weekend, Northampton’s record reads at 42 points from 38, with a current six-point gap separating them from their current position of 19th to the bottom four. Never in any real doubt of dropping in danger throughout, they’ve reacted well to adversity and have been vastly improved since the turn of the year – where they entered it off the back of one win from 12. In the past couple of months the Cobblers have registered four wins and three draws from 10, with their defeat to in-form Blackpool last time out signalling an end to an encouraging four-match unbeaten run against some strong outfits. Making ground on the relegation pack, which includes the U’s, and reaching the 50-point target is the aim the men in claret and white.
Boasting a 3-4-3 formation, former Premier League man Nolan has put trust in glovesman Lee Burge of late, with the likes of Tyler Magloire, Academy graduate Max Dyche, the trusted Aaron McGowan and Timothy Eyoma to choose from in the heart of defence. There’s been a heavy reliance on wide options Mitch Pinnock, handy in the cross, and modern day legend Sam Hoskins in recent years, with the latter firing 15 goals at this level last season. Central midfield loanees Terry Taylor and Ben Perry have the guile and energy, which allows the front three to roam in the final third. Welsh option Tyler Roberts and aerial threat James Wilson have real pedigree, with Dara Costelloe still cutting his teeth but showing promise, but it’s former U Cameron McGeehan creating headlines – his crucial nine league goals have equated to 10 further points to keep Town clear of trouble.
Form Guide
- 01/03/2025 – Exeter City 1-1 Northampton Town – Sky Bet League One
- 04/03/2025 – Northampton Town 1-1 Stockport County – Sky Bet League One
- 08/03/2025 – Leyton Orient 1-2 Northampton Town – Sky Bet League One
- 15/03/2025 – Northampton Town 1-1 Birmingham City – Sky Bet League One
- 22/03/2025 – Northampton Town 0-2 Blackpool – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
A first victory in five was snatched from the U’s in the dying embers last time out as Barnsley rescued a 1-1 draw at a drizzly Oakwell.
It was another sucker punch for the travelling amber nation, who were on the cusp of what would have been a well-earned triumph. Like they had done in recent weeks, Neil Harris’ men started on the front foot, this time capitalising through James Brophy eight minutes in who slotted home his first league goal since October 2021. They continued to plug away, and it looked destined to be their day as the Tykes rued missed chances, but their pressure paid off in added time as substitute Jonathan Lewis punished from close range.
Reflecting on the display in South Yorkshire, the Head Coach said: “It hurts, and it’s a real blow for the group and the fans that have travelled, but there is so much to be proud of in that performance… It looked like a game that we were just going to see out, and if anything, nick the second goal. There was so much to admire about the performance.”
With eight games of the season remaining - and five of them at CB5 - Harris will hope for similar fight as Cambridge look to gain their first win since the start of the month.
Form Guide
- 04/03/2025 – Cambridge United 0-1 Stevenage – Sky Bet League One
- 08/03/2025 – Wigan Athletic 1-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 11/03/2025 – Blackpool 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 15/03/2025 – Cambridge United 0-1 Peterborough United – Sky Bet League One
- 22/03/2025 – Barnsley 1-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
Head-to-Head
- Cambridge United Wins: 16
- Northampton Town Wins: 19
- Draws: 15
Last Time We Met
Saturday 23rd November 2024 – Northampton Town 0-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
Our last meeting four months ago - which was played out in extremely wet and windy conditions at Sixfields - saw the U’s go back to basics by sharing a battle-hardened draw with the Cobblers to claim a sixth clean sheet from their last eight. It remains their only stalemate of the 2024/25 campaign so far. The line-up on that day: Reyes, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Bennett, Smith, Cousins, Brophy, Kachunga, Njoku, Nlundulu.
Officials
- Referee: Matthew Russell
- Assistant Referee: Stuart Butler
- Assistant Referee: Steven Plane
- Fourth Official: Farai Hallam