Luton Town Football Club

 

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 two seasons ago. A Play-Off final win over Gateshead at Wembley saw the U’s join the Hatters back in the Football League and last season their first campaign back in the League saw them finish 19th.

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. Cambridge is a damn nice city, so why not take time before or after to explore what the streets have to offer? Then again, you could just take it easy, put your feet up and let a coach driver take you there. The Bobbers leave at midday from the Luton Town train station and the fares is £17 for adults and £15 for concessions.

NO MORE ROOM. Hatters fans have snapped up all 1,433 tickets in the away end for Saturday’s game, and no more will be available either. Town supporters without tickets are strongly advised not to travel. Cambridge are expecting a big crowd with space in the home sections also limited.

THIS TIME ROUND. United have recruited well this summer, bringing in the Barry Corr former Hatter Keith Keane – more of him latter – as well as midfielder Luke Berry for a second spell. They started their League 2 campaign well, winning 3-0 on the opening day against Newport and then drawing 4-4 at Carlisle. The U’s then won impressively at AFC Wimbledon but in their last home game they were beaten 3-0 at home to Crawley. Last Saturday they drew 0-0 at Barnet before they were knocked out of the JPT by Dagenham in the week.

HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? Of course! There were no less than four meetings during our title-winning campaign the season before last, with the two clubs also meeting in the FA Trophy, and then three times last season. Although the Town finished 19 points clear of United in the title season, the Hatters didn’t win any of those four matches. Last season the Town were 1-0 victors in the League 2 meeting back in September last year at the Abbey but then lost in the FA Cup meeting in January. Cambridge were subsequently drawn away to Manchester United! The Hatters gained a modicum of revenge in the second league meeting, winning 3-2 in a thrilling match four weeks later.

OLD BOYS NETWORK. Plenty of players have appeared for both the Town and Cambridge down the years (almost too many to remember), but one familiar face occupies the Cambridge dugout. Manager Richard Money spent time playing and managing the Town. United also have former Hatters Greg Taylor and Keith Keane in their ranks. Keane joined the U’s this summer but is best remembered for his loyal service here at Kenilworth Road where he made 285 appearances. His last game at Kenilworth Road came against the Town for Crawley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy this time last year.

REF WATCH. Believe it or not but Saturday’s referee Graham Salisbury last took charge of a Luton game when overseeing this precise fixture at the Abbey in September last season. The Lancashire whistler sent off United’s Tom Naylor that afternoon – one of eight men his dismissed last term. So far this season he has booked 12 games and sent three off in the five games he’s overseen.

TOWN TEAM NEWS. Hatters manager John Still has plenty of decisions to make ahead of the game, including who to play in goal with Elliot Justham and Mark Tyler competing for the number one spot. Jack Marriott is suspended while Paddy McCourt is away on international duty with Northern Ireland. The Hatters could be without Cameron McGeehan, while defender Scott Cuthbert will be assessed after coming off in Tuesday’s JPT win over Orient with a hamstring injury. Nathan Doyle and Dan Potts are also nursing hamstring problems and are doubtful, while Paul Benson could miss out with a neck injury.

DID YOU KNOW? As well as the Town first team, the Hatters Under-18s and Ladies sides are also playing Cambridge this weekend.

LIVE AND ONLINE. As ever, we’ll be reporting live from the Abbey Stadium. Build-up starts at noon, so get on our early blog on the Wall for all the latest updates. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for photos, videos and all the behind-the-scenes action. Hatters Player subscribers will be able to listen to live commentary from just before 3pm with Simon Pitts in the press box. Post-match, remember to check out the official website, YouTube channel and Player for reports, interviews and photographs and don’t forget to tune in from midday on Sunday for all the highlights in glorious HD!

ON PLAYER. Watch over half-an-hour of discussions with manager John Still on Hatters Player HD, where he talks about Cambridge, suspensions, transfers and much, much more.