Attention turns to the Emirates FA Cup this weekend at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, with a place in the elusive Third Round at stake for both Cambridge United and former winners Wigan Athletic…
How to Watch
A healthy cup crowd is anticipated for Saturday afternoon’s meeting at CB5, which gets underway at 3pm.
Be sure to secure your tickets, which are at a reduced rate, either online at cufctickets.com, over the phone by calling 01223 566500 (option 1) or by visiting the Cledara Abbey Stadium Ticket Office on the day.
Season Tickets are not valid for this fixture - so holders must purchase a ticket should they wish to attend. Supporters should also be aware that the Mead Family South Stand will be closed for this fixture.
Please note, the match is NOT available for streaming nor will it be televised anywhere in the world. Monthly or Seasonal Audio Pass subscribers can listen to live match commentary via CUFC TV.
Opposition Focus
Formed in 1932, the Tics plied their trade in non-league until 1978, where they finally broke into the Football League – from there, the only way was up. Enjoying a slow descent, the two-time EFL Trophy winners broke into the second tier in 2003 and, just two years later, were celebrating promotion to the Premier League for the first time following a 2nd-place finish. There, they stayed for a total of eight seasons, with 10th their best recording. In spite of relegation in 2013, they won this competition with a memorable success against Manchester City, which secured a Europa League adventure whilst in the Championship. A yo-yo side since, Wigan hunt solidity - Shaun Maloney has proven to be the first step towards that. Since his January 2023 arrival, the former winger has galvanized the club by drastically shoring up the defence - and with many shooting through the pecking order and some experienced heads providing the know-how, the hope is to continue this new revolution by building on last season’s respectable ranking of 12th whilst at the same time enjoying a cup run.
In the bread and butter, a slow start saw the side succumb to three defeats from their opening four, but they turned the screw by registering six clean sheets – including four stalemates – in a row prior to a confident 2-0 win for the U’s and slender defeats at home to Mansfield Town and Wycombe Wanderers. Most recently, they’ve gained two triumphs on the bounce, dispatching Barnsley and Northampton Town in midweek to climb them up to 15th, five points clear of the drop. In order to secure this Saturday’s matchup, they made the short trip to League Two Carlisle United, who were eventually broken down in extra time 0-2 at Brunton Park.
Enjoying an inspired season, 22-year-old Sam Tickle has been a standout goalkeeper, with Will Aimson and Jason Kerr a consistent centre-back pairing ahead of him. An array of wide options in defence consists of Toby Sibbick, Steven Sessegnon, James Carragher and creative spark Dion Rankine. Further afield, Jonny Smith and loanee Silko Thomas were trusted from the start last time out, whilst key cogs Matthew Smith, Jensen Weir and exciting Norwegian Thelo Aasgaard – on six for the season – are trusted to dictate play. Still just 20, striker Dale Taylor already is familiar with this level, impressing for both Burton Albion and Wycombe Wanderers in recent years. Should they need any inspiration or advice, Callum McManaman certainly knows a thing or two, he was named man of the match on that eventful Wembley outing 11 years ago.
Form Guide
- 02/11/2024 – Carlisle United 0-2 Wigan Athletic – Emirates FA Cup First Round
- 09/11/2024 – Wigan Athletic 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
- 12/11/2024 – Wigan Athletic 0-0 Nottingham Forest U21s – EFL Trophy Group Stage
- 23/11/2024 – Barnsley 0-1 Wigan Athletic – Sky Bet League One
- 26/11/2024 – Wigan Athletic 2-1 Northampton Town – Sky Bet League One
The Amber Angle
Desire and determination saw the ten men of Cambridge United rescue an impressive late 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers at CB5 in midweek to accelerate the momentum within the group.
After showing excellent application in the first half and limiting the Trotters to very little, the hosts were dealt a mammoth task moments after the break when Jubril Okedina received his marching orders. The visitors capitalised on the hour mark courtesy of Aaron Collins’ close-range finish, but the U’s persevered and claimed a share of the spoils at the death through Sullay Kaikai’s superb header to seal a third draw on the bounce.
Summarising an evening which oozed endeavour, Garry Monk said: “Out of all the games this season that’s probably the proudest I’ve been. We didn’t give up, we kept going. We got our deserved rewards today. With ten men, two things can happen – either you feel sorry for yourselves or it galvanises you. It galvanised us, the crowd.”
Ahead of the first meeting in this competition between the clubs, the U’s will relish the league distraction as they aim for a third successive victory against the Latics. Recent form indicates they’ll give a good account of themselves - in their last nine games they’ve won five, drawn three and lost just once. It’s the fourth campaign in a row that they’ve made this stage – can they surpass it again?
Form Guide
- 05/11/2024 – Cambridge United 1-0 Chelsea U21s – EFL Trophy Group Stage
- 09/11/2024 – Peterborough United 6-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 16/11/2024 – Cambridge United 1-1 Barnsley – Sky Bet League One
- 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
Quick Quotes
Monk on progression: “We’re concentrated on ourselves, it’s an important game for us for a number of reasons. We’ve got to continue what we’re doing, keep trying to improve and take that into Saturday. We want to try and get through to that next round of the cup… Everyone loves a big draw.”
Danny Andrew on overcoming Wigan: “It’s obviously a different competition so they might make some changes, but if we deliver the best version of us, we will have a great chance of making the next round.”
Team News
The Head Coach confirmed that Jubril Okedina is unavailable after his red card and Connor O’Riordan will also miss out after not receiving clearance from parent club Blackburn Rovers. It’s poised to be a similar squad to midweek, with Dan Nlundulu coming back into the fold and Josh Stokes has “got a chance” of being involved. Elsewhere, Emmanuel Longelo, Dan Barton and Taylor Richards are all progressing well and will soon partake in full training.
Head-to-Head
- Cambridge United Wins: 5
- Wigan Athletic Wins: 6
- Draws: 8
Officials
- Referee: Zac Kennard-Kettle
- Assistant Referee: Scott Williams
- Assistant Referee: Conor Farrell
- Fourth Official: Josh Crofts