The road to Wembley continues for Cambridge United in midweek as they make the trip to the EV Charger Points Stadium to take on Cheltenham Town in the Vertu Trophy Round of 32…
How to Watch
Tuesday evening’s meeting in Gloucestershire kicks off at the earlier time of 7pm, with the visitors housed in the JM Weston Construction Stand. U’s fans can purchase their tickets online via Cheltenham’s ticketing website or alternatively on the day, where there will be a slight price increase.
Unable to attend? Fans in the UK can still watch every second of the action live on Sky Sports+, which is broadcasting every kick in the competition as part of the new five-year agreement. Overseas supporters can tune in on CUFC TV.
Opposition Focus
Formed in 1887, the hosts spent much of their early history competing in local football circles before they began a 50-year spell in the Southern League from 1935. Thanks to their domination in the mid-1980s, the side gained promotion to the Football League, but continued to fluctuate. That was until 1997, where the Robins embarked on a successful five-year era under Steve Cotterill - winning the FA Trophy, a first promotion to the Football League in 1998 and then gaining access to the third tier just three seasons later with play-off success. In recent years, Cheltenham enjoyed real progression, going from fourth tier mediocrity to a spellbinding championship-winning campaign, giving them the confidence to comfortably avoid the drop in the 2022 and 2023. Their third attempt resulted in relegation last time out, with Michael Flynn the man chosen to steer the ship.
This is arguably the most unpredictable League Two division in years, with many fancying a sniff at promotion. Currently, the Robins occupy 15th position, with seven points separating them from both 6th and 22nd, so they understand the importance of staying consistent. They returned to life in the fourth tier with a thrilling 3-2 win against Newport County but went on to lose five of their following seven to plummet down. Nonetheless, ever since a defeat to Swindon Town in mid-October, their fortunes have changed, losing once in their previous eight games – including slender success against Colchester United, Carlisle United and Tranmere Rovers. As for progression in the Vertu Trophy, they were emphatic – topping their group with nine points after dispatching Newport, a youthful West Ham United and Reading.
Changes are expected, but a plethora of experience is scattered around this group. 34-year-old Joe Day has come into the fold between the sticks of late, with a back three ahead of him in Tom Bradbury, Sam Stubbs and Ibrahim Bakare. Widemen Jordan Thomas and Saint Lucian international Arkell Jude-Boyd started last time out, with Luke Young and Liam Kinsella forming a real no-nonsense midfield partnership. The likes of Tom Pett and exciting starlet Joel Colwill provide that spark in the advanced positions, with Ethon Archer also on double figures for goal involvements already. George Miller remains promising as the lone striker, with veteran Matt Taylor a popular figure and handy choice from the bench.
Form Guide
- 16/11/2024 – MK Dons 3-2 Cheltenham Town – Sky Bet League Two
- 22/11/2024 – Cheltenham Town 1-0 Tranmere Rovers – Sky Bet League Two
- 30/11/2024 – Salford City 2-0 Cheltenham Town – Emirates FA Cup Second Round
- 03/12/2024 – Cheltenham Town 1-1 Port Vale – Sky Bet League Two
- 07/12/2024 – Doncaster Rovers 2-2 Cheltenham Town – Sky Bet League Two
The Amber Angle
Although attention now turns towards cup football, United arrive full of confidence after finding that clinical edge last time out in a scintillating and authoritative 4-1 victory over basement side Shrewsbury Town at a stormy Abbey.
The taming of the Shrews started in rapid fashion, with the tricky conditions not dampening the home spirits as Shayne Lavery opened the scoring just 46 seconds in. The striker finished off a superb counter on the half hour mark to seal his brace, before Dan Nlundulu and Elias Kachunga made sure of the victory after the break with some poacher finishes. John Marquis pulled a goal back from the spot, but it was just a consolation on what was a fine day’s work.
Ecstatic with the application of his side, particularly after falling to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Reading just four days earlier, Garry Monk said: “Overall, performance-wise, in these conditions, I thought we dealt with it really well. We hit a good level of performance for the majority of the game, scored really good goals, and the most important bit was winning and responding, because we need a lot more wins.”
A first league win since 26th October has bolstered spirits for United, who reduced the deficit from 20th to just three points, with five points now separating them from 15th as the league begins to tighten. Four scored in a game for the second time this season and their most emphatic triumph since February, signs are certainly more positive heading into Christmas. As for Tuesday, it’s not just a great opportunity to inject minutes into the squad, but also to hopefully secure progression, with four wins separating them from the home of football.
Form Guide
- 23/11/2024 – Northampton Town 0-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 26/11/2024 – Cambridge United 1-1 Bolton Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
- 30/11/2024 – Cambridge United 1-2 Wigan Athletic – Emirates FA Cup Second Round
- 03/12/2024 – Reading 3-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 07/12/2024 – Cambridge United 4-1 Shrewsbury Town – Sky Bet League One
Officials
- Referee: Dale Baines
- Assistant Referee: Grant Taylor
- Assistant Referee: Harley McKittrick
- Fourth Official: Andrew Aylott