Preview: Cambridge United (A)
Our Emirates FA Cup journey continues with a First Round clash on the road at Cambridge United!
The Second Qualifying Round saw the Blues defeat Stalybridge Celtic at Bower Fold thanks to goals from Tom Peers and Jack Bainbridge, prior to a 5-1 success over Curzon Ashton at the Deva Stadium.
A 1-1 draw at Morecambe in the Fourth Qualifying Round forced a replay before a close-range finish from Dylan Mottley-Henry and another stunner from Bainbridge earned the Seals a second First Round berth in three years.
The Opposition
Cambridge sit 13th in EFL League Two with a record of 21 points from their opening 14 encounters.
The U’s ended last term nine points from safety in League One, a campaign that ended a four-year stretch in the Third tier.
Last Saturday saw Neil Harris’ men fall to a 2-0 defeat at Notts County thanks to a brace from Alassana Jatta, a result that followed an impressive 2-1 home success over Bromley, courtesy of first-half goals from Shayne Lavery and Kylian Kouassi.
25/26 is the club’s 12th consecutive season in the EFL after promotion from the National League in 2014, a campaign in which the club finished second behind champions Luton Town, but claimed victory in the play-offs over Gateshead at Wembley.
The Gaffer
Experienced boss Neil Harris started his second spell at the Abbey Stadium in February after a previous stint between December 2023 and February 2024.
As a player, Harris featured on over 200 occasions for Millwall from 1998-2004, before a second spell between 2007-2011 took his total appearances for the Lions up to 432.
The 48-year-old also holds the accolade as the club’s all-time top goalscorer, with 138 goals in all competitions.
Harris has also took charge of Millwall over three separate stints, with further management experience at Cardiff City and Gillingham.
One To Watch
Young forward Kylian Kouassi has made an impact in Cambridgeshire after joining on loan from Blackpool over the summer.
Two goals have come in the league so far this term and one in the club’s stunning EFL Cup success over Charlton Athletic in late August.
The 22-year-old started his career at Sutton United before a move to the Tangerines in 2023.
Kouassi spent a year on loan at Salford City last season, prior to a move to the Cledara Abbey Stadium in August.
MATCH DETAILS
Saturday’s match will kick-off at 15:00 at the Cledara Abbey Stadium. The postcode for the ground is CB5 8LN.
TICKET DETAILS
Away ticket sales for the match have almost reached 1,200 – Thank you for your fantastic support!
Tickets remain available on General Sale, but must be collected from the Ticket Office by Friday 31st October, 4pm. When coming to the office, please provide your Ticket Order Number, this is the quickest and easiest way for us to provide you with your ticket.
PRICES
- Adults – £15
- Concessions & 18-21s – £13
- U18s – £6
INFORMATION
The Cledara Abbey Stadium is a no smoking stadium. Please note that anyone attending the fixture will be subject to a security and bag check. All bags should be no larger than A4 paper size.
Once inside the stadium Cambridge United are only able to process cashless payments. Cash payments are able to be made in the club shop and ticket office.
Away supporters who would like a drink prior to kick-off have been directed to The Regal, JD Wetherspoon. The pub is located around two miles from the stadium.
TRAVEL
By Car – Follow the M56 to the M6 Southbound until the road merges onto the A14, which you can take until junction 34. Turn right on Horningsea Road before the ground emerges on the left of Newmarket Road.
By Train – The journey via rail will take approximately three and a half hours. Take an Avanti West Coast service from Chester to London Euston before changing onto the tube to London Kings Cross. From here a Great Northern service runs to Cambridge, where the station is located two miles from the Cledara Abbey Stadium
We hope to see you there, UTS!