Cambridge United make their long-awaited return to Sky Bet League One action at the Cledara Abbey Stadium this weekend, with well-drilled Lincoln City making the trip…
How to Watch
A strong home following is expected for Saturday’s return to CB5, which will get underway at 3pm. Tickets in the Petrest Main Stand and Newmarket Road End are filling up fast, with space also available in the North Habbin and Mead Family Stand.
To avoid disappointment, please purchase in advance by securing your place online at cufctickets.com, over the phone by calling 01223 566500 (option 1) or by visiting the Stadium Ticket Office. All prices increase by £2 when buying in-person on the day.
CUFC TV will be on hand for those who have an account but are unable to attend. Overseas U’s fans can stream the game live, whilst those based in the UK can tune into audio commentary.
Opposition Focus
Under astute tactician Michael Skubala, visitors Lincoln have gone from strength to strength since Mark Kennedy laid the foundations. First and foremost, they’re hard to beat and have an immense team spirit, which is bursting with confidence thanks to mesmerising late-season form in 2023/24 where they almost nicked a play-off spot. A National League outfit as recently as 2017, it’s been a real success story for the professional Imps, whose recent rankings of 17th, 11th and 7th in this tier indicate a side going in one direction. It’s a tougher division this time around, but they fear nobody and will embrace the challenge.
That specific challenge of going one better is the situation they find themselves in already thanks to a confident start, occupying the top six with a game in hand. An opening day thriller at Burton Albion saw the Imps travel home with a dramatic and topsy-turvy 2-3 success, but their sole defeat thus far was tasted the following week as Barnsley secured a 1-2 win. Determined to bounce back at Sincil Bank, they took Mansfield Town to the sword with a 4-1 thrashing, before overcoming a dogged Stevenage 0-1 to conclude August. Most recently, they’ve had to settle with consecutive draws, against Peterborough United and Wigan Athletic respectively, but ultimately can be satisfied with their work rate and threat at both ends of the pitch.
Going into battle in the modern 3-1-4-2 system, Skubala could choose a return for young goalkeeper George Wickens, with a dependable back three of Adam Jackson, Paudie O’Connor and Sean Roughan ahead of him – who have contrasting attributes that create a perfect blend. The indispensable Scot Ethan Erhahon is the protector in the middle, who is destined to have an eye-catching career in the upper echelons of the Football League, with familiar face Conor McGrandles, Tom Bayliss tor Jack Moylan trusted just ahead of him. The likes of Tendayi Darikwa and Dom Jeffries provide the energy from out wide, whilst pivotal striker Ben House always puts in a shift and holds the ball up impeccably – he’ll hope to link up well with 19-year-old Bailey Cadamarteri, a Sheffield Wednesday loanee who arrives with plenty of promise.
Form Guide
- 24/08/2024 – Lincoln City 4-1 Mansfield Town - Sky Bet League One
- 31/08/2024 – Stevenage 0-1 Lincoln City - Sky Bet League One
- 03/09/2024 – Lincoln City 0-1 Chesterfield – EFL Trophy
- 14/09/2024 – Peterborough United 1-1 Lincoln City – Sky Bet League One
- 21/09/2024 – Lincoln City 0-0 Wigan Athletic – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
Last weekend at Wycombe Wanderers, the U’s bravely defended to seal a point for their endeavour at Adams Park but couldn’t hold off the resistance, coming undone late on as the Chairboys secured a 2-1 win to extend the winless run to six league games.
After going behind early doors by Garath McCleary’s well-taken finish, Cambridge made their first opportunity count straight up the other end as Dan Nlundulu made it two strikes from two. However, a relentless Chairboys dominated the second half and their relentless pressure paid off five minutes from time, as Cameron Humphreys secured the points and extended the visitors’ winless start.
Cutting a frustrated figure following the defeat, Monk said: ”For all the games we’ve been in and amongst it, it’s the odd goal here and there that’s cost us from getting the result we need… the bottom line is we haven’t got enough points, we haven’t won enough games. That has to change, but we’re trying to control what we can, which is our mindset and how we train.”
Despite being rooted at the foot of the division, the U’s simply can’t afford to reflect on the past, but instead focus on what is in their own hands – that first victory. They now have back-to-back opportunities to impress in front of the home faithful for the first time in the league since the 4-4 thriller against Blackpool, which may be just what is needed to transform their fortunes.
Form Guide
- 31/08/2024 – Bristol Rovers 2-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 03/09/2024 – Bromley 3-3 Cambridge United – EFL Trophy
- 14/09/2024 – Mansfield Town 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 17/09/2024 – Cambridge United 1-2 Charlton Athletic – EFL Trophy
- 21/09/2024 – Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
Quick Quotes
Monk on home advantage changing fortunes: We’ve got two games at home now and the feeling from within is that we’re determined to get our fanbase going from the very beginning of the game. That’s what we need to do at the Abbey, get that crowd with us and that’s how we’ll go about the game.
“We know if we get that rocking, get that type of atmosphere going and they’re behind the team, it’s a tough place for opposition to come no matter how good they are.”
Monk on Lincoln: “They’re one of my favourite teams. What the manager has done there over a period of time, I like the way that they’ve gone about it, and they’ve got a certain style. Their recruitment has been excellent, they’ve added to it year on year and they’re a strong contender this season.”
Team News
In the Head Coach’s latest update, he told the press that none of the injured players that missed out last weekend – which includes Gary Gardner, Josh Stokes and Kell Watts – will be in contention, but in brighter news Ryan Loft is available for selection after ticking off a full week of training.
Head-to-Head
- Cambridge United Wins: 14
- Lincoln City Wins: 17
- Draws: 17
Last Time We Met
Tuesday 12th March 2024 – Lincoln City 6-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
It was an evening to forget the last time we met as the Imps continued their devastating form with a 6-0 hammering at Sincil Bank. Heading into the midweek March matchup, the hosts were unbeaten in 11 with the U’s winless in five, with signs of the form book being torn up looking bleak early on. Jack Moylan and Joe Taylor grabbed a brace each, whilst TJ and Dylan Duffy rubbed salt in the wounds late on to ensure a humbling loss. United would of course go on to secure safety, whereas Skubala’s men fell short of a play-off spot on the final day.
Boot in Both Camps
Either side of career-making and valuable spells with Cambridge and Lincoln, Lee Philpott briefly graced the Premier League during the early 1990s – the pinnacle of a respectable career for the dangerous and pacy wide man. Born in 1970, he linked up with the U’s after spending his early days as an apprentice at Peterborough United and immediately caught the eye. A mainstay from 1989 to 1992, Philpott’s drive and delivery during 178 appearances – which provided 23 goals – was key in their meteoric rise under John Beck. Leicester City came calling for £350,000, where he popped up with 23 top flight appearances during 1994/95 before guiding others as a dependable asset for the Imps, Hull City, Weymouth, Harrogate Town and Hinckley United, with whom he decided to hang up his boots with in 2008. Still in the game 16 years later, Lee is now a FIFA Licensed Football Agent.
Officials
- Referee: Adam Herczeg
- Assistant Referee: Daniel Bonneywell
- Assistant Referee: Leigh Crowhurst
- Fourth Official: Aaron Bannister