All you need to know ahead of the Town's trip to the Abbey
Cambridge United v Luton TownSky Bet League 2
Saturday 20th September 2014, kick-off 3pm
Live commentary on Hatters Player, DiverseFM, BBC3CR and lutontown.co.uk
• Hatters aim for second away win of the season
• Cambridge look to bounce back after midweek home defeat
• Head2Head: Town wins: 10, Cambridge wins: 8, Draws: 14
WHO? Cambridge United, aka The U’s, from Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. We know plenty about United having constantly watched their results each week as they battled with the Town for the Conference title. A Play-Off final win over Gateshead at Wembley saw the U’s join the Hatters back in the Football League.
WHERE? The Abbey Stadium – Cambridge’s home since 1932 – is under an hour’s journey from Luton and approximately a 40-mile trip along the A505. Town fans have the choice to sit or stand for this all-ticket game.
HOW TO GET THERE. Like York on Tuesday, Cambridge is also a damn nice city, so why not take time before or after to explore what the streets have to offer? There again, you could just take it easy, put your feet up and let a coach driver take you there. The Bobbers leave at midday (£17/15) whilst newly formed LutonRBack travel are also running a coach.
LUTONRBACK TRAVEL. This new away travel club is aimed at Hatters supporters living in Bedford, Milton Keynes, Rushden and Biggleswade. Luton-R-Back is a non-profit organisation whose profits will serve the club. Luton-R-Back will be running a coach to the game at the Abbey Stadium costing £12 for adults and £9 concessions. The pick-up points run from the Bedford/Elstow park and ride, Skinners Hill in Rushden, the Milton Keynes coach park by John Lewis and Biggleswade bus station. Town fans living near to these pick-up points who fancy subsided away travel can contact Luton-R-Back co-ordinator Paul Sampson on 07883 020388. For more information you can visit their website at www.lutonrbacktravelclub.com.
HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? Oh yes, definitely. There were no less than four meetings last season with the two clubs also meeting in the FA Trophy. Although the Town finished 19 points clear of United, the Hatters didn’t win any of those four matches. The last Town win at the Abbey Stadium in League competition came in the epic 4-3 victory in 2009 (Hatters 2-0 down and down to 10 men) but forget that, who’ll ever forget Mark Cullen’s last-minute equaliser there last March?
OLD BOYS NETWORK. Plenty of players have appeared for both the Town and Cambridge down the years (almost too many to remember), but two familiar faces occupy the Cambridge dugout. Manager Richard Money and coach Alan Neilson both spent time playing and managing the Town. United also have former Hatter Greg Taylor in their ranks, whilst the Town’s Luke Guttridge spent five years at the Abbey Stadium (when he looked like this).
THIS TIME ROUND. Money’s men have adapted well to life back in the League and go into Saturday’s game in 11th place having taken 11 points from their opening eight games in League 2 – two more than the Hatters. United began the season beating Plymouth 1-0 before losing at Portsmouth, drawing at York and losing at home to Morecambe. They then hammered Carlisle 5-0 at the Abbey before drawing at Newport; but after a 3-2 win at Dagenham last weekend they lost 2-1 at home to Exeter on Tuesday.
REF WATCH. Saturday’s man in the middle is long-serving whistler Graham Salisbury. This season he has dished out 24 yellow cards and one red in his seven matches. The last time he refereed a Luton game was back in November 2007 when he oversaw a 1-0 win over Southend at Kenilworth Road in League 1 (Calvin Andrew with the winner).
ON THE DAY. 20th September. A pretty dismal day in the Town’s history. Just three wins from 19 games - and none in the last six. The last 20th September victory the Hatters registered was a 2-1 win over Orient at Kenilworth Road with Brian Stein and Ricky Hill on target.
TICKETS PLEASE! Over 2,000 of the 2,500 allocation available to Town supporters had been snapped at the time we put this preview together on Friday morning. The game is all-ticket and tickets go off sale at the Luton Town ticket office at 3pm. Click here for more details.
TOWN TEAM NEWS. Matthew Robinson returns from suspension whilst skipper Stephen McNulty is back from paternal duties. Alex Lawless (hamstring) remains out, whilst Nathan Doyle continues the improvement in his fitness. Paul Benson could return after light training on Thursday. Fraser Franks is recovering from a hernia operation and is definitely ruled out.
IN THE OTHER CAMP. Cambridge have injury worries in midfield with Tom Champion (cheek), Ian Miller (Achilles) and Luke Chadwick (hamstring) definitely out. Liam Hughes (wrist) and Robbie Simpson are doubtful.
LIVE AND ONLINE.Hatters Player is the only place to listen to online commentary of the Hatters this season and once again the DiverseFM team will be bringing subscribers all the action from the Abbey Stadium. What’s more there will be a full report, reaction and photographs post-match and live text updates during the match itself.
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