Fleetwood Town are set to face fellow Sky Bet League One side Cambridge United in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup at the Abbey Stadium on Saturday afternoon and we have all the information you need ahead of the tie.
Fixture: Cambridge United v Fleetwood Town
Competition: Emirates FA Cup Second Round
Date: Saturday 2 Decemeber 2023
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Abbey Stadium
CAMBRIDGE UNITED
The hosts head into this game without a manager after sacking Mark Bonner following three straight defeats and four years in charge, which saw them promoted from League Two. The news was mixed with the U's fan base as they were unbeaten in the five games previously, which one of them was the FA Cup First Round win over Bracknell on home soil.
On Saturday 4 November, non-league side Bracknell made the trip to the Abbey Stadium and on the half hour mark, the U's scored the opening goal through Fejiri Okenabirhie. After half-time, Olukayode Osu scored an own goal before Ben Harris narrowed the deficit two minutes from time but it was too late for Bracknell to salvage a replay.
Looking at their last three fixures - which have all been in Sky Bet League One - they have scored one and conceded ten. The first was a 5-0 defeat at rivals Peterborough United, with was followed up by a 2-1 loss away at Northampton Town with Gassan Ahadme bagging a consolation goal 13 minutes from time. Lincoln City were the latest team to visit Cambridgeshire, taking all three points having scored three past the hosts.
There hasn't been much movement on the managerial front, but we know in football things can move quickly but this weekend's clash might come too soon for a new man to be in the dugouts.
FLEETWOOD TOWN
The Cod Army head into this fixture after beating Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 away from home in the Emirates FA Cup First Round tie, which took place at the start of November. Goals from Josh Earl and Shaun Rooney made sure Town's name was in the hat for the Second Round, which now sees them place a fellow League One side.
Josh Earl will miss this weekend's clash after picking up his second red card of the season. The defender picked up two yellow cards in Tuesday night's match away at Wigan Athletic, meaning there will be an opportunity for someone else to step in showcase why they should be in the team moving forward.
Before the last two fixtures, which have seen Town loss 3-0 on both occassions, the Cods were on a six game unbeaten run that started with a 2-1 win away at Reading on Tuesday 24 October, with draws against Barnsley and Blackpool, following three wins against Kidderminster, Leicester City's Under-21s and a 3-0 home win over Exeter at Highbury.
Town reached the Fifth Round of the Emirates FA Cup last time out. They beat Ebbsfleet, Oxford City, Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday to set up a historic meeting with Burnley at Turf Moor. Can they replicate this in the 2023/24 season - we will wait and see?
WHAT THE MANAGER HAD TO SAY REGARDING THE GAME
On moving on and playing in the FA Cup…
“I love the FA Cup, personally, and was born very near Cambridge so I’m looking forward to going back there. I just see this as the next game, it’s an opportunity to build the performance and restart another unbeaten run, and I believe in a course of consistency throughout the season, you will then find your place in this league.
“Overall, it’s the next game, and it’s an enjoyable one because it allows me to see a couple of players that are either regaining fitness, deserve their chance, or have been away on an international break. CJ [Carl Johnston] as an example will get a chance to start and he’s a fantastic lad who’s a great character and deserves it.”
On growing up and being around Cambridge…
“I have brilliant memories from being around Cambridge, I was born in Newmarket just down the road, and dad was manager of Newmarket Town and then moved as – believe it or not – Commercial Director and Reserve Manager. We all had to sacrifice for him to get into professional football and was then named Assistant Manager.
“That was when I was caught hiding in skips trying to listen to team talks, and this was a time when there were old-school characters in and around the place who were aggressive and strong, and it was interesting for me as someone who wanted to be a footballer to see what went on and I learned a lot in that time.”
KEY IFOLLOW & TICKETING DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Fleetwood Town would like to inform the Cod Army that Saturday's Emirates FA Cup clash against Cambridge United will not be shown live on iFollow due to the current EFL and FA regulations.
BBC Radio Lancashire will be down at the game and will be providing match commentary, but we’ve been informed by the FA that no match passes will be sold for the game, with the audio feed ONLY available for those with existing monthly or seasonal subscriptions.
If you want to watch the match against Cambridge, you have until 4pm on Friday 1 December to purchase your tickets from the club shop or online.
Lee Johnson's side beat National League outfit Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 on the road to secure their name in the draw for the Second Round thanks to goals from Josh Earl and Shaun Rooney.
Below we have all the ticketing details you need to know ahead of the match in Cambridge:
Adults - £15
Concessions* - £12
Under-18s - £5
*Concessions are Seniors aged 64+, Young Adults aged between 18 and 23 and for those who are serving or retired from the Armed Forces. Full-time students can also get tickets as a Concession.
FULL COACH DETAILS
Coaches will be departing Highbury at 8am, costing only £10 for Onward Card Holders and £20 for non-Onward Card Holders. Make sure you're booked onto the official Club Coach for our FA Cup encounter.
If you would like any more information regarding the ticket sales 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.
