Preview: Cambridge United

24 November 2020

Tonight two of League Two's leading sides come head-to-head at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium as Cambridge United make the trip to Gloucestershire (kick-off: 7pm).

It's a second against third clash under the lights in what is set to be the Robins toughest examination in the division up to this point in the campaign.

Boosted though by an excellent home win over Walsall on Saturday, plus a winning run in all competitions of four matches, Michael Duff's charges will look ahead to the game with plenty of excitement at the possibility of building on their excellent first quarter of the campaign with a winning result.

The match is available to watch this evening on iFollow if you purchase a match pass.

Team news

There are no new injury concerns heading into tonight's game. Sean Long remains out of action though he is progressing well on the training ground with his recovery from a hip operation.

Watch Michael Duff's pre-match press conference as he looked ahead to tonight's encounter.

Opposition

Without a game on Saturday after a late postponement because of covid-19 against Southend United, Cambridge head into tonight's fixture on 24 points from 12 matches this season and occupy third position.

They've played a game less than the Robins and have a point less but have enjoyed a superb campaign so far under the guidance of manager Mark Bonner.

The Abbey Stadium outfit have pulled off a number of impressive results, beating the likes of Salford City, Newport County AFC, Port Vale and Carlisle United in their run to the automatic promotion positions.

In goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov they have a goalkeeper who has been at the club since 2017 and who offers a steady presence at the back of the pitch.

In front of him defensively 30-year-old Greg Taylor has been a loyal servant in their camp, Kyle Knoyle offers a real threat going forward as a full back, academy graduate Harry Darling has made an impact since breaking through while others such as Bristol City loanee Robbie Cundy and Leon Davies are options potentially too.

Their midfield line-up features ex-Stevenage man Paul Digby. He's joined by Great Yarmouth born Luke Hannant, with the likes of Ipswich Town loanee Idris El Mizouni and MK Dons loan player Hiram Boateng all in with a big chance of being involved as well.

It is up top where they've impressed with Paul Mullin's goals this season, while Joe Ironside offers a good physical threat and Scottish striker Andrew Dallas joins Harvey Knibbs in helping to make up their attacking force.

The manager: Mark Bonner

Mark Bonner has been head coach of Cambridge since January 2020 when after an impressive caretaker spell he was offered the job on a full time basis.

It's proven to be a shrewd decision by the U's board. He has led them to the top end of League Two in what is his first full season in charge.

Previously the 34-year-old has worked in their academy since 2011 and has now worked his way up to the main job in the dugout.

He is assisted by former Aldershot Town manager Gary Waddock - the 58-year-old providing useful experience to fall back on as his number two.

One to watch: Paul Mullin

Paul Mullin has been in red hot form for Cambridge this season and has found the back of the net 13 times in all competitions.

The 26-year-old joined permanently in the summer after a loan spell during the previous campaign from Tranmere Rovers who he helped gain promotion into League One previously in his time at Prenton Park.

Previously he has also represented Huddersfield Town, Morecambe and Swindon Town and is currently the leading scorer in League Two.

Watch the match on iFollow

You can purchase a match pass for £10 and subscribe to watch this evening's game online.

A match pass is available to buy online to watch the full 90 minute coverage on iFollow.

Match programme

The match programme for tonight's fixture is available to buy in either print or digital format.

The big interview is with defender Lewis Freestone who looks back on his first few months at the club.

There are also features with Matty Blair and Andy Williams, plus the thoughts of Michael Duff, a look at the opposition, while under-18s defender Harvey Skurek is also on interview.

You can buy the print version and have it posted to you online for £2.50.

Meanwhile the digital version is available to download to your device for just £2.

Coverage

Keep up to date with the action this evening by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news, match updates and photos.

There's also score updates and team news available on the club's Facebook page and Instagram account.

After the game check out the club website for reaction to the full time result and to read a report.

Extended highlights of the match will be available to view on iFollow too.

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Robins 1-1 Cambridge United

24 November 2020

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Cheltenham Town v Cambridge United - Extended highlights - Tue 24th November 2020

Extended highlights of Cheltenham Town v Cambridge United, Tue 24th November 2020 in the Sky Bet League Two

Cheltenham Town drew 1-1 against fellow League Two high flyers Cambridge United at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.

In a second against third clash under the lights, Ben Tozer’s first half goal was chalked off by Paul Mullin's strike deep into second half stoppage time.

Michael Duff named an unchanged side against Cambridge after winning 3-0 against Walsall on Saturday. A win over the Saddlers was Cheltenham's fourth win in a row to leapfrog tonight’s opposition into second place in the League Two table.

Without a game on Saturday after a late postponement because of Covid-19 against Southend United, Cambridge travelled to the Jonny-Rocks as the league top scorers whilst also boasting the best defensive record in League Two.

So it was no surprise that Josh Griffiths was called into action early on in the first period. After Cheltenham probed from a succession of corner kicks, Matty Blair was left alone against Mullin as Cambridge goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov lofted the ball into Cheltenham’s half.

On the back foot, Blair did well to put pressure on the United striker who failed to convert past Griffiths as the Robins stopper went in search for a tenth clean sheet in all competitions this season.

After a tame start to the first half, former Norwich City and Ireland international Wes Hoolahan came close to carving out an opening for the visitors. His set-piece delivery from a wide free-kick on 20th minute almost found centre-back Robbie Cundy at the far post.

Cambridge striker Mullin was up for the battle between these two high-flying League Two sides - he came off worse under a challenge with Cheltenham’s Charlie Raglan to add some four minutes to the first half, to the benefit of Duff’s side.

On the cusp of half time, Chris Hussey stood over a free kick from a promising position as the Robins went in search of the game’s first goal. Cambridge goalkeeper Mitov matched Hussey’s well struck effort, but his efforts were to no avail as Tozer was on hand to prod into an empty net.

Scoring his second goal in as many games this term, Tozer has already matched half of his goal tally from last season.

The second half started with Cambridge on the front foot, particularly Hoolahan who began to have an effect on proceedings as the hour mark approached.

Combinations with Hiram Boateng and Luke Hannant failed to produce a goal for the visitors though, while Cheltenham were forced to revert to a pragmatic approach in order to keep the league’s top scorers at bay.

Liam Sercombe was penalised for a foul after turning a well-worked set piece routine into a goal on the 65th minute, but despite the hosts’ gesticulations, Cambridge were let off the hook.

After a committed and organised display, Cheltenham were made to pay for failing to clear a corner kick deep into added time as Mullin converted from inside the box.

Cheltenham will host Crew Alexandra at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 15:00) in the FA Cup second round.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (3-5-2): Josh Griffiths (Gk), B Tozer, C Raglan, W Boyle, C Hussey, M Blair, C Thomas (F Azaz ’75), L Sercombe, E Chapman, A Williams (R Reid ’82), A May (G Lloyd ’82). Subs not used: S Flinders (Gk), C Clements, L Freestone, T Sang.

CAMBRIDGE UNITED (4-4-1-1): D Mitov (Gk), K Knoyle, G Taylor, R Cundy, J Iredale (H Knibbs '85), H Boateng, P Digby, L Hannant, H Dunk (J Ironside ’78), W Hoolahan, P Mullin. Subs not used: C Burton (Gk), H Darling, L Davies, I El Mizouni, A May.

REFEREE: Craig Hicks. Assistants: Paul Stonier, Alistair Nelson. Fourth Official: Kevin Howick.