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Match Previews

Preview: Cambridge United

29 April 2022

Match Previews

Preview: Cambridge United

29 April 2022

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Cheltenham Town take to the pitch one last time in the 2021/22 season on Saturday with a visit to Cambridge United (kick-off: 12.30pm).

It's an earlier kick-off time for the game at the Abbey Stadium as the League One calendar comes to an end.

The return to this level for the first time since 2009 has been a successful one for the Robins who are fighting to try and finish as high as 13th and already in the knowledge that the club have secured a record finish this campaign.

Cambridge themselves have made the step up from League Two successfully and will be keen to finish above Michael Duff's side as they play their final game too in front of their own supporters.

Team news

Matty Blair (pictured) won't be available against his former club as he's still out injured. Ben Williams has been back in training and could return to the squad if deemed fit.

Media talk

There has been praise from Michael Duff before the game for Cambridge for what a fellow team who earned promotion from League Two last season have achieved in the current campaign.

"It's a tough game. The challenge is we can finish above them but we have to beat them," he said when speaking on iFollow.

"They've had a brilliant season. They've had their ups and downs, as have we, but I think us and them along with Morecambe would have been most people's favourites to fill three of the bottom four and then one other from the others.

"I think Mark (Bonner) has done a brilliant job, built on last year, solid foundations. There's goal scorers in Joe Ironside and Sam Smith who we know really. They're never out of games."

Opposition

Cambridge go into the final game of the season knowing they can finish anywhere from 12th to 15th in the division.

Promoted automatically into the League this season after finishing the 2020/21 campaign in the second automatic promotion spot in League Two, they've performed well in the third tier this term.

Of late they've beaten promotion candidates Wigan Athletic, though they go into Saturday's match after back-to-back losses against Charlton Athletic and Sunderland.

Former Robins loanee Lloyd Jones was sent off in their loss at the Stadium of Light, however the decision has been overturned and he's available for this weekend's fixture.

They've retained many of the players who helped them achieve promotion last season including goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, defender Jack Iredale, central midfield man Paul Digby and front man Joe Ironside who leads their attacking line.

Also offering a threat at the top of the pitch is Sam Smith who spent the second half of last season loan at Cheltenham, while youth product Harvey Knibbs and former Norwich City great Wes Hoolahan, who is now 39, are other options in the search for goals.

Midfield energy is provided by the likes of former Portsmouth man Adam May. Shilow Tracey is a former Tottenham Hotspur youngster who is an option in midfield too with James Brophy a possible pick.

At the back the imposing presence of the before mentioned Jones provides physicality while Jubril Okedina is another talented young pick up from Spurs along with former MK Dons man George Williams.

The manager: Mark Bonner

Mark Bonner continues to keep moving forward in his role as U's boss. It's his first in senior football after progressing through the club as an academy coach and last season he helped them achieve promotion to League One when in charge.

This time around he's led them to a solid mid-table finish while having the experienced former QPR manager Gary Waddock alongside him as assistant.

Tickets & travel

The initial allocation sent to the club sold out on Thursday, however it is still possible to buy tickets for the game by buying on the day at Cambridge.

On the day prices are as follows:

Adults £24
Seniors (64+) £19
Full Time Student £19
Young Adult (18-23) £19
Armed Forces discount £19
Under 18 £12
Under 12 £7
Under 5 Free

Fans who have booked onto the Travel Club coaches making the journey are advised they depart from the car park at the stadium at 8am.

Coverage

Social media: Track the game on Twitter by following @CTFCofficial. You can also keep an eye on the latest score on the club's Facebook page and Instagram account.

Website: After the game you can read a match report online. There will also be reaction from the manager to the result.

Listen: You can buy an audio match pass online for £2.50 to tune into full match commentary on iFollow. If you are in Gloucestershire you can tune in on BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

Highlights: You'll be able to watch extended highlights on iFollow. Shorter highlights will also be shown on YouTube, iFollow, Sky Sports and Quest.


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