Match preview: Cambridge United (A)

12 January 2024

Fleetwood Town take on Cambridge United on Saturday 13 January in Sky Bet League One, and in our match preview we have everything you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off at the Abbey Stadium.

Fixture: Cambridge United v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 13 January 2024

Kick-off: 15:00

Venue: Abbey Stadium

CAMBRIDGE UNITED

Neil Harris’ men were unable to pick up a scalp in the Emirates FA Cup last time out as Blackburn Rovers showcased their attacking prowess by battling back to claim a 5-2 triumph at Ewood Park.

Despite originally taking the lead on two separate occasions courtesy of Jack Lankester’s curler and Sullay Kaikai’s volley, a first-half hat-trick from Sammie Szmodics put the hosts in the ascendency, who dictated well to kill the game off thanks to Arnor Sigurdsson and Harry Leonard.

Reflecting on the loss, the Head Coach stated: “I thought for 46 minutes it was a really good game - everything we expected from Blackburn, they delivered. I’m delighted with the two goals we’ve scored, at 2-2 it looked a really good gamw, we just shot ourselves in the foot and need to be more resilient.”

The sole focus this week has been on this weekend, with the visit of Fleetwood being a great opportunity to prevent a fourth consecutive loss in all competitions. Sitting in 19^thwith a four-point cushion from the drop, five of the U’s next six games see them take on 24^th, 20^th, 17^th, 15^th and 22^nd, therefore a vital spell awaits, as they strive to break the 30-point mark as soon as possible and build from there.

Cambridge currently sit 19th in the league table on 27 points after playing 24 matches. They have lost their last their last three in all competitions, with their last home win being a 2-0 victory over Exeter City. They will be looking for another positive performance on home soil, looking to increase the gap down at the bottom of the table.

WHAT THE MANAGER HAD TO SAY REGARDING THE GAME

On having to learn on the job at Fleetwood…

“I’ve learned a lot already, had a few decisions to make in the last 12 days but, as I said in a previous interview, it’s the enjoyment that it brings daily that carries everyone through. The team is improving with every session we have and it’s your job as the manager to organise everything and go with your gut.

“Nothing prepares you for sitting in the hot seat on your own; having people around you who have experienced that and having the ability to speak to people outside of the game who have great knowledge about managing are great tools to help me gain the experience needed as well, but you also have to learn on your own.

“You have to learn on the job, and have the full trust of the club, that’s why I’m here. You’ve got to make your own decisions and stand on your own two feet and, hopefully in the coming weeks, we will make the right decisions whilst also improving the team gradually by picking up results and picking up points.”

On keeping communication simple with the players…

“As long as we keep improving the players, the results will come; the performance was good against Derby, and we can take a lot of positives from that result. When you get the opportunity to take the lead, you have to take that, but we will work on that and build on the performance this week as we prepare for Cambridge.

“Simple and clear messages are what we are sending, they know where they stand and what we want as a club daily. I’m not going to complicate it for them, the basics are we haven’t won enough football matches, we need to be better in both boxes and if we work on them, the other parts of the game will come.

“We have to have good, honest conversations with the players and get to know them; put our arms around them and show them a bit of love, that’s how we are going to get the best out of this bunch of players. I said to the players though, when we are on the grass, we work with purpose and intensity to prepare for Saturday.”

KEY IFOLLOW & TICKETING DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Despite the last result, there is plenty of positivity around the camp and with Charlie Adam looking for his first win as Fleetwood's boss, and you can watch the game unfold if you can't attend in person.

Supporters of the Cods who live overseas will be able to purchase a Video Match Pass for £10 or an Audio Match Pass for just £2.50, as well as those who are living in the United Kingdom ONLY being able to purchase an Audio Pass.

Commentary for both streaming services will be provided by BBC Radio Lancashire, live from the Abbey Stadium, as their reporters will be watching the game next to the Club’s media team in the press box.

make sure you don’t miss anything from Fleetwood Town from now until the end of the season! Get behind the lads online and from the comfort of your own home – buy your iFollow passes HERE!

Supporters will be located in the South Habbin Terrace, with prices for match tickets and coach travel below:

Adults - £21

Seniors - £18

Under-22s / Students / Armes Forces - £18

Under-18s - £12

Under-12s - £8

Under-5s - FREE

Tickets are now off sale at Fleetwood Town's Ticket Office, however you can purchase tickets from Cambridge on the day from their Ticket Office, with all ticket prices increasing by £2 (cash and card accepted). The price of these tickets are reflected above.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Town fall to a last-minute defeat on the road to Cambridge

13 January 2024

Fleetwood Town fell to a heartbreaking last-minute defeat on Saturday afternoon as they lost their clash against Cambridge United 2-1 at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

The game was decided by second-half goals as the hosts took the lead through their new signing Lyle Taylor before Promise Omochere nodded in the equaliser soon after – Cambridge would retake the lead 92 minutes in as Sulley Kaikai netted the winner.

The game started late down in Cambridge, due to supporters not being able to get to the ground early enough, and they were forced into another delay soon after kick-off as Phoenix Patterson went down needing treatment after a whack to the face.

Patterson was the centre of attention in the opening stages as, in the 12^th minute, he had the first effort of the game when he forced Jack Stevens into a low save down to his left before Shaun Rooney’s header – a few minutes later – saw the same result.

With half an hour on the clock, after a quick game of pinball inside the Fleetwood box, the hosts worked their first chance as the ball eventually fell to the feet of Jack Lankester 18 yards out, but his shot flew well over Jay Lynch’s crossbar.

Adam’s side then had a decent spell ahead of the break as both Callum Dolan and Brendan Wiredu forged chances - the former fired wide of the mark from range and the latter drove down the length of the pitch and drilled it the wrong side of the post.

One final chance would come before the half, however, as Cambridge almost took the lead after Lankester took control of the ball just outside Town’s box and teed up a curling shot which hit the crossbar, with Lynch able to collect soon after.

With the second half underway 15 minutes later, it would have been fair to say Town started the better of the two as new signing Harry Boyes picked out Jayden Stockley, who headed wide, and then tried a powerful shot himself, which was saved.

Both sides seemed up for finding that all-important goal then as captain, Josh Vela, saw his looping header from close range be tapped over the bar by the goalkeeper before Lankester struck just wide of Lynch’s far post from inside the area.

But it was the hosts who did find the back of the net and it was the new man, Taylor, who finished off a move started by former Cod Danny Andrew. The full-back picked out substitute Brandon Ndoku, and he indirectly found Taylor, who bundled it home.

That lead didn’t last long though as substitutes Omochere and Danny Mayor both were straight into the action - our number 10, now back from injury, found Stockley, who chipped a cross into the back post, and Omochere was there to nod into the net.

It was heartbreak at the end, once again for the Cods though, as Kaikai rifled an effort in at the back post in added time, not long after Ryan Bennett headed an effort into the post, meaning the hosts would take all three points on the afternoon.

Yellows XI: Stevens (GK), L.Bennett, Andrew, Digby, Morrison (C), R.Bennett, Brophy (Taylor 56’), Lankester (Rossi (90+5’), Kaikai, Kachunga (Njoku 70’) (May 90+5’), Cousins.

Unused subs: Mannion (GK), Okedina, Janneh.

Town XI: Lynch (GK), Boyes, Wiredu, Lawal, Vela (C), Stockley, Heneghan, Dolan (Omochere 75’), Rooney, Earl, Patterson (Mayor 72’).

Unused subs: McMullan (GK), Johnston, Marriott, Holgate, Coughlan.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Tickets on sale for Town's trip to Cambridge

10 January 2024

Fleetwood Town supporters can now get their match tickets and coach travel for the Sky Bet League One fixture away at Cambridge United this upcoming weekend.

Charlie Adam's side will be making the trip down South once again for the second time in two months, but this time it will be a league fixture instead of an Emirates FA Cup tie, which saw the Cod Army lose out.

With 21 fixtures left in the campaign, this will be a really good chance for you to back the boys in red and white from the away stand

Supporters will be located in the South Habbin Terrace, with prices for match tickets and coach travel below:

Adults - £19

Seniors - £16

Under-22s / Students / Armes Forces - £16

Under-18s - £10

Under-12s - £6

Under-5s - FREE

Tickets will be going off sale from our Ticket Office at 4pm on Friday 12 January, but tickets can be purchased from Cambridge on the day from their Ticket Office, with all ticket prices increasing by £2 (cash and card accepted).

OFFICIAL COACH TRAVEL DETAILS

Coaches will be departing Highbury at 8am, costing only £10 for Onward Card Holders and £20 for non-Onward Card Holders.

To purchase your match tickets and coach travel, click HERE!

If you would like any more information regarding the ticket sales dates, prices, or any other general enquiries, you can contact our ticket office at Highbury Stadium by ringing 01253 775080 or you can email info@fleetwoodtownfc.com.