Match Preview | Cambridge United (A)

7 March 2023

The Shrimps are back on the road on Tuesday 7 March as they travel to the Abbey Stadium to face Cambridge United in Sky Bet League One.

Derek Adams' men will be looking to build on a good point on Saturday after a 0-0 draw against Bolton Wanderers at the Mazuma Stadium.

Tuesday night's opponents will be looking to impress on home soil on after a 1-0 home defeat to Portsmouth at the weekend.

The Opposition

United sit 23rd in League One with eight wins, five draws and 21 defeats after 34 games.

The U's were promoted to the EFL in 2014 and made quite the return in their first season, having reached the fourth round of the FA Cup and earned themselves a replay against Manchester United. The Yellows won promotion to League One in 2021 after a 3-0 win over Grimsby on the final day of the League Two season.

Head Coach Mark Bonner has been in charge at the Abbey Stadium since 2020. He joined the club in 2011 and worked in numerous roles within United’s academy. In 2018, he was named as a first team coach working under then manager Shaun Derry. Bonner took charge of the first team on an interim basis following Colin Calderwood’s departure in 2020 and, after four wins in his first four games, he was appointed head coach.

Key Players

Striker Sam Smith is United’s top scorer this season with seven goals and one assist. Since moving to Cambridge in 2021, Smith has scored 21 goals in 79 league appearances. The 24-year-old began his career at Reading in 2016, but only made eight appearances for the Royals as he was loaned out several times to Oxford United, Shrewsbury Town, Tranmere Rovers and Cheltenham Town. Smith also spent the 2019/20 season on loan at the Abbey Stadium, scoring seven goals in 28 appearances.

Joe Ironside has also been a danger man up top for United this season. The 29-year-old has spent the majority of his career in non-league with the likes of Halifax Town, Alfreton Town, Nuneaton Borough, and Kidderminster Harriers. Ironside joined The Yellows in 2020 following his departure from Macclesfield Town and since joining United, he’s made over 114 league appearances, scoring 34 goals.

Winger Shilow Tracey has made a positive impact form out wide for The U's, having scored one goal and provided three assists for The Yellows so far this season. Tracey was on the books at Tottenham between 2016 and 2021, and spent time out on loan at Macclesfield Town, Shrewsbury Town and Cambridge United before signing a permanent contract at the Abbey Stadium in 2021.

Mark Bonner’s Thoughts

Speaking to the Cambridge United YouTube channel, manager Mark Bonner admits he is expecting a difficult test on Tuesday night.

“They’re playing well at the moment,” he said.

“They’ve been very good at home and they’ve been strong in possession with lots of fluidity in midfield.

"We know players like Jensen (Weir) and Dan Crowley, who we’ve played against over the years, it gives them a quite technical team.

“They counter attack well and defend deep at times and they are hard to create chances against.”

Team News

Derek Adams has one or two illness and injury concerns ahead of the game on Tuesday with Michael Mellon remaining absent.

Meet The Officials

Paul Howard will be the man in the middle on Saturday and will be assisted by Paul Lister-Flynn, Michael Webb and fourth official Adrian Tranter.

Howard has taken charge of 16 games this season, ten in League Two, two in the Papa Johns Trophy, three in League One and one in the FA Cup.

The official last refereed Morecambe in September 2021, a 3-1 win for the Shrimps at Crewe.

Watch Live!

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Match Reports

Report | Cambridge United 1 Morecambe 1

7 March 2023

The Shrimps earned a point on the road after a closely contested 1-1 draw with Cambridge United on Tuesday night.

The hosts took the lead on 13 minutes through Jake Lankester before Cole Stockton scored his fifth goal of the season in all competitions to level the scoring in first half stoppage time.

After a tight opening ten minutes, Cambridge took the lead when Paul Digby found Lankester inside the area, who found the bottom right corner to put the hosts ahead.

Morecambe came close to an equaliser when Dan Crowley saw Ash Hunter bursting into the box, his resulting effort was saved by United goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.

United had a good chance to double their lead just before the break as James Brophy sent in a low ball from the left which found Liam Bennett, who side footed his effort well over Connor Ripley’s crossbar.

Morecambe got the equaliser in first half stoppage time when the ball fell for Jensen Weir on the edge of the Cambridge box, he managed to find the head of Cole Stockton who equalised from close range.

Derek Adams’ side almost went in ahead at the break as Weir broke down the left-hand side and saw his cross narrowly evade Hunter at the back post.

Half-time: Cambridge United 1 Morecambe 1

Morecambe started the second half as they ended the first as Hunter picked up the ball on the left, drove towards the box and saw his shot across goal palmed away by Mitov.

United almost took the lead themselves just before the hour mark when Conor McGrandles corner found Michael Morrison at the back stick, his resulting header sailed over.

Cambridge substitute Steve Seddon forced Ripley into a fantastic save as the Shrimps shot-stopper tipped his free-kick from range over the bar.

Liam Shaw managed to work himself into some space on the edge of the area, but saw his effort rise over the target ten minutes from time.

Both sides pushed on to win the game but neither could find the all-important winner and the points were shared.

Full-time: Cambridge United 1 Morecambe 1

Cambridge United: Mitov, Jones, R Bennett, Morrison, L Bennett, Brophy (Tracey, 65’), McGrandles (O’Neill, 65’), Digby, Lankester (Yearn, 82’), Smith, Ironside (Seddon, 65’).

Subs not used: Mannion, Williams, Worman.

Goals: Lankester (14’).

Bookings: McGrandles, Jones.

Red cards: None.

Morecambe: Ripley, Love, Melbourne (Mayor, 30’), Rawson, Simeu, Gibson, Crowley (Watts, 74’), Shaw, Weir, Hunter (Austerfield, 90’), Stockton (Duffus, 90’).

Subs not used: Smith, Cooney, Delaney.

Goals: Stockton (45+2’).

Bookings: None.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 5,225 (122 away).

Ticket News

Ticket Details | Cambridge United (A)

22 February 2023

Tickets for our trip to Cambridge United on Tuesday 7 March (19:45 KO) are now on sale.

All tickets purchased for the original fixture will be valid for the rescheduled date.

Ticket Prices

	In Advance/On the Day
Adult	£18
Senior 62+	£15
18-21	£15
Under 18	£10
Under 12*	£6
Under 5**	FREE

*All children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult (over 18).

** All children under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a responsible adult (over 18).

Disabled/Ambulant Supporters

Wheelchair users and ambulant supporters will be expected to pay the relevant admission price and will receive a complimentary carer with their purchase. These tickets are not available online, they must be purchased instore.

On Sale Dates (selling order)

Online from	In person at the Club from	On sale to
Tuesday 21 February, 2pm	Tuesday 21 February, 2pm	General Sale

Additional Information

Advance Sales deadline: Monday 6 March, 12 noon.
Refund deadline: Monday 6 March, 12 noon.
Postage deadline: Tuesday 28 February, 17:00.

Match Day Sales

We encourage all supporters to purchase in advance to avoid queues on the day. Tickets will be available to purchase on the day, and any supporters wishing to sit will be able to upgrade their terrace ticket, free of charge, on the day.

Duplicate Ticket Requests

Anyone who doesn’t receive their tickets in time for the fixture, through the post, must contact tickets@morecambefc.com or call the Club Shop on 01524 411797 (ext 3) in advance of Monday 6 March at 15:00.

Match Day Parking (Minibuses & Coaches)

Coaches will be asked to use the lay-by near to the Stow cum Quy roundabout if there are only a few coming. For more information regarding coach and minibus parking, please refer to - https://www.slocamutd.org/coach-driver-info.html

Match Day Parking (Cars)

Street parking around the Stadium is restricted. An alternative option is to use the Park & Ride service. It is situated near the airport, to the east of the city, and is a 15-to-20-minute walk to the ground along Newmarket Road. The cost of using the service for fans is £2.50 for the return trip. More information can be found here Maps - Newmarket Road - Cambridge park & ride (cambridgeparkandride.info).

We recommend supporters to use the service.

The last bus from the city centre is 20.30 to the Park & Ride. They run every 20 minutes after 18:10. There is 24 hour access and egress from the site.

Disabled Parking

For any travelling supporters needing to book disabled parking, please contact Cambridge United directly on 01223 566500.

For up-to-date information, or to ask any questions, contact Anya Wood, Shrimps’ SLO.

Twitter: @Shrimps_SLO.
Email: SLO@morecambefc.com.

FAQs