Cambridge United Preview

[Match Reports]

Just four games to go, and with three teams currently in the play off zone to play after this game, Friday night's trip to Cambridge has become a must - win for York City. The disappointing 2-2 draw with 10 man Kidderminster meant that City slipped out of the play off zone, and are 2 points behind Stevenage and level on points with Morecambe. The home side Cambridge, however, are safe in midtable after an inconsistant season, but have had some great results recently and could be difficult opposition.

Team News

For City, Billy McEwan chose to reflect on the positives from Sunday's result, as City got a last minute goal to salvage a point through 17 goal striker Clayton Donaldson. The Reds boss said, "We possibly thought it was going to be easy and got done through a lack of concentration. We showed character at the end, never threw the towel in and could have won it". The team should stay the same as on Sunday, unless right back Jamie Price recovers from a knee injury in time to make the trip south. That means midfielder Steven Thomas will probably carry on deputising at right back.

For Cambridge, boss Rob Newman has recently signed a new contract following a season that has seen the Us stay in midtable for the entire term, largely with a team of young players following financial problems. They are currently 13th in the table after the 3-1 win against Aldershot Town, of which Newman said, speaking on the Cambridge United website, "I thought our second half performance was definitely our best 45 minutes of the season, culminating in some good play and some good goals". The three goals were scored by Westcarr, Pitt and Morrison. For the game against City, right back Matt Bloomer has been recalled by Lincoln City so won't be available, Captain Andy Duncan is struggling with injury but should play, and right back Dan Gleeson may be available
again, although loanee from Farnborough Gavin Heeroo is probably more likely to be Bloomer's replacement in defence.

Possible Teams

City: porter; thomas, dudgeon, mcgurk, peat; convery, panther, bishop, dunning; donaldson, bishop. Substitutes: reid, merris, stewart, o'neill, hotte.

Cambridge: howie; heeroo, morrison, duncan, jaszczun; brady, hanlon, wolleaston, pitt; guy, westcarr. Subsitutes: bridges, onibuje, smith, bunce, gleeson.

Current Form Guide

City - WDLDWD - Gravesend and Northfleet (H), Canvey Island (A), Accrington Stanley (H), Burton Albion (A), Altrincham (A), Kidderminster Harriers (H).

Cambridge - DDLDWW - Tamworth (A), Halifax Town (H), Crawley Town(A), Morecambe (H), Exeter City (H), Aldershot Town (A).

Last Meeting

City 1-0 Cambridge

The two sides didn't meet last season because Cambridge were in the Football League. In the game earlier this season, a wonder goal from Clayton Donaldson, who outpaced all of Cambridge's defenders from the half way line, gave City a win in a tight game.

Useful Links

http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/ - Cambridge Official Site
http://www.cambridgeutd-mad.co.uk/ - Cambridge United Mad
http://cambridgeunited.rivals.net/ - Amber Army Site
http://boards.rivals.net/default.asp?p=16 - Message Board
http://yorkcityfc.com/pl - Predictions League
http://yorkcityfc.com/away/cambridge.php - Cambridge Away Travel Information Page
http://yorkcityfc.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 - Catch A Match Forum
http://yorkcityfc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18507 - York Minstermen Coach Travel