Cambridge at home on Good Friday

Cambridge at home on Good Friday - Printable Version

+- Sports Babble - sports forum (https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk)
+-- Forum: Football (https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: English Football Leagues (https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=2)
+---- Forum: Sky Bet League One (https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=79)
+----- Forum: Huddersfield Town (https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=70)
+----- Thread: Cambridge at home on Good Friday (/showthread.php?tid=13708)

Pages: 1 2 3

Cambridge at home on Good Friday - Lord Snooty - 15-04-2025

Huddersfield Town v Cambridge United
Sky Bet League One
Friday April 18th - 15:00 ko
at the Kevin Nagle Arena

[Image: 8wXVFXX.jpg]

Huddersfield Town welcome Cambridge United to the John Smith's Stadium on Good Friday afternoon for what promises to be an exciting 90 minutes plus of pulsating action in a League One game of football.

Cambridge will arrive at the stadium full of confidence following their magnificent victory in the Boat Race at the weekend, whereas the Town will be on a hiding to nothing, win, lose or draw. Booed off at Burton, don't be surprised if the players get booed onto the pitch at three minutes to three.

One player guaranteed to get a warm reception, is Cambridge's Elias Kachunga, if he plays. He was on the bench last week. Even if he doesn't, I'm sure his song will be belowed out loud and long throughout the match, which could give that nasty piece of work Mark Cartwright, a bit of a rest from being on the end of the Town fans' ire.

Oh for those long gone days of just before Christmas when we won 4-0 down at their place. Michael Duff was certainly getting the best out of an average bunch of 3rd division players. Players like Tom Lees, Danny Ward and Herbie Kane have all had their critics, but how we have missed them since that day in December. Now the season is all but over, will Jonny Worthington give some of the youngsters a go? Tom Iorpenda can't be far off being ready after a long injury and Neo Eccleston looked useful in his twenty minute stint against Crawley.

And surely it's time to make Jacob Chapman the number one goalkeeper. What say you, dear reader?

A brief history of Cambridge United: formed in 1912 as Abbey United after the district of Cambridge known as Abbey. They didn't have a permanent home and didn't get one until 1932 when they moved into the Abbey Stadium. They changed their name to Cambridge United in 1951.

The club played in the Eastern Counties League and then the Southern League before being elected into the Football League in 1970, replacing Bradford Park Avenue. Promotion came again in 1973, which coincided with our relegation and so we played each other for the first time in 1973/74.

They went down at the end of that season, but appointed Ron Atkinson as manager and he took them to a double promotion. Although he had been poached by West Bromwich Albion before the second promotion was complete and so John Docherty was in charge for the celebrations.

They had six seasons in the second tier, before getting relegated again in 83/84. That was followed by another drop and then the inogminy of having to apply for re-election in 85/86.

John Beck became manager in 1990 and things began to pick up for the U's. They beat Chesterfield at Wembley at the end of that season in the Play Off Final, with Dion Dublin scoring the only goal of the game. This coming after they had reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup, where they lost 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace.

They reached the quarters again in the next seson, this time losing 2-1 against the Arsenal at Highbury. Undeterred, they went on to win the 3rd Division championship, finishing the season eleven places higher than Huddersfield Town.

That was 90/91 and the following season saw their highest ever league finish when they secured a Second Division Play Off place in 5th. It wsn't to be though. They came so close to being members of the first Premier League season, but after a 1-1 draw at the Abbey against Leicester City, the were beaten 5-0 at Filbert Street, losing 6-1 on aggregate.

And that was their big time done, as they were relegated at the end of the next season and haven't been as high as the Championship since.

They went down again in 94/95 and regained their place in the 3rd tier at the end of 98/99. That was followed by another drop in 2001/02, finishing bottom of the division. However they did have a Wembley trip, but were beaten by Blackpool 4-1 in the LDV Vans Trophy Final.

Another relegation followed at the end of 2004/05. After 35 years in the Football League, they were in the Conference for the first time. Not only that. They were also in administration and had had to sell the Abbey Stadium to stay afloat.

They almost went down again in 06/07, but the appointment of Jimmy Quinn had them on a run at the end of the season which saw them safe. He got them to the Play Offs in the next season, but after beating Burton Albion, they were beaten 1-0 by Exeter City at Wembley.

Quinn left at the end of the season, but they still reached the Play Off Final again. This time they beat Stevenage in the semis, but lost to Torquay United in the Wembley Final.

A few turbulent seasons followed until they finished in a Play Off position again in 2013/14. This time they did go up. A 2-1 aggregate win against FC Halifax Town gave them a match against Gateshead at Wembley. Richard Money was the boss by now and goals from Liam Hughes and Ryan Donaldson gave the U's a 2-1 win, which had them back in the EFL after nine years out.

They also won the FA Trophy that season, also at Wembley, beating Gosport Borough 4-0.

In 2020/21, the U's were promoted again, finishing 2nd in League Two and are now in the fourth successive season at this level.

Head to Head

[Image: tdU5vCQ.png]

Town lead the head to head with 12 wins to Cambridge's 1, with 8 draws.

That one defeat came a long, long time ago. I was only 17. That long ago! It was an Easter Tuesday afternoon game in 1977, back when Easter Tuesday was a Bank Holiday. When did that end?

That's why there was an unusually large crowd at Leeds Road to see the soon to be crowned 4th Division champions, Cambridge United. The largest home crowd of the season actually of 11,829 in our second season in the old 4th Division and came on the back of three wins on the bounce for the Terriers, which had got us up to 5th in the table and had renewed optimism around the Cowshed and the vast open spaces of the old terraces.

It wasn't to be though. The U's beat us 2-1 and we went without another win in the remaining eight games of the season to finish 9th.

Our first meeting came just a few years earlier in 1973/74, our first ever season at the league level we now play in, the 3rd Division. And on the 1st of September, Cambridge were our first ever home opponents at this level. We beat them 2-1 in front of 5,559 spectators with Alan Gowling and Bobby Hoy scoring for us.

Viva Bobby scored again in the return fixture on New Years Day, a 2-2 draw with Les Chapman getting our other goal.

Cambridge went down at the end of that season and we went down the year after, so we met up in Division 4 for the first time in 75/76. It was 0-0 at the Abbey and a 2-0 Town win at Leeds Road with goals from a young un and an oldie. Steve Smith got the first and the young Peter Hart scored his first goal for the first team.

The next season was the one where they got their one and only win over us. The away game was a 1-1 draw.

As they went up that season, we were stuck in Division 4 until 1980 and so the next time we met up was after we'd both gone up again, in Division Two in 83/84. It was the only season we have played each other at that league level, what is now known as the Championship. They finished bottom of the table and two 3-0 wins for the Town helped them on their way. The away game had Mark Lillis, Brian Stanton and a Colin Russell penalty. The home game saw another penalty, this one scored by Paul Jones. The other two came from Wolves loanee, Mel Eves. I wish we could get Wolves loanees as good as him nowadays. Whistle

We had another one off league season together in 1990/91. That was at the third level of English football again and it was another championship title winning season for the U's. It was the famous team managed by John Beck, with Homes Under The Hammer presenter, Dion Dublin as leading scorer. They still couldn't beat us though. We won 3-1 at home. Iwan Roberts, Chris Marsden and a Kieran O'Regan penalty this time That was followed with a goal less draw at the Abbey.

We stayed in Division Three, waiting for them to come back down, which they eventually did in 1993. We had Neil Warnock as manager by now and when Rodney Rowe scored in a 1-1 draw at Leeds Road, we were struggling in 19th place. By the time the away game came around, we were well safe from relegation, but Warnock still managed to make it a grudge match. It was played on a Tuesday night, but was only two days after our Autoglass Trophy Final match at Wembley against Swansea. The Cambridge bosses had refused to move the date, so with nothing to play for, Warnock made sure it meant everything.

I'm not sure how the scoring went, my memory isn't that good, but we were 3-1 up at half time. It was a high scoring game and the goals kept coming in the second half. We got a penalty again. How come we get so many penalties against Cambridge. I'll bet we don't get one this season. Rolleyes

Anyway, Phil Starbuck converted it as part of a hat trick. Hat trick! Do you remember them? Even more rare than a Town penalty! Whistle

Iain Dunn and Andy Booth got the other two goals as Warnock's warriors won 5-4.

We won promotion in the next season and beat them 3-1 at the new McAlpine Stadium. Dunny scored again and Ronnie Jepson scored twice, one of them being yet another penalty. The return match at their place was on the penultimate Saturday of the season. We drew 1-1 with Boothy grabbing our goal. The result ended our hopes of automatic promotion, but we still went up through the Play Offs. Cambridge were unlucky, getting relegated when 5th from the bottom in the season where five teams went down due to the Football League restructuring.

We've only had two occasions when we have been in the same division that one of us hasn't either gone up or down. So the next time we were together was 2001-02 in the third tier and it was the U's going down. They finished bottom and we did the double over them. A 2-1 win in Cambridge, with Boothy scoring again to add to an opener from Chris Hay. Leon Knight scored the only goal of the match down at the Mac.

The last league season together was one where we went up, 2003/04. It was our first season in the 4th tier since 1980 and Cambridge at home was the first game of the season. Dan Chillingworth scored the first goal for them, before two goals from Jon Stead put the Terriers, led by Peter Jackson into the lead. Dave Kitson equalised shortly before full time, but at the end of the day, we were all relieved to have started the season, which during the summer didn't look likely.

We won down yon' Abbey in January. A 2-1 win. Yet another penalty! Steady scored it just before half time. A young lad named Jonathan Worthington got the second, before Adam Tann got a last minute consolation for the U's.

So that was it for league games until this season. In between those days, we went up to the Premier League and they went down to the Conference League. They were down there in 2010 when we were drawn together in the first round of the FA Cup. We were in League One, under the legendary leadership of Lee Clark. He wasn't a happy geordie boy when we could only draw 0-0 down there. And he was absolutely livid when Rory McAuley put the U's ahead in the replay. He was still fuming as the fourth official stuck his board up for the added on time at the end of the 90 minutes. We got the break we needed though as Lee Peltier equalised and as we all sat back waiting for extra time, up popped Gary Roberts with the winner.

That was the season we went on to play Arsenal in round 4.

And so to this season. Game 12 of the 16 match unbeaten run. Goals from David Kasumu, Brodie Spencer and two from Callum Marshall gave Michael Duff a great 4-0 win against our arch enemy, Garry Monk.

Enjoy........

Recent form - last 6 matches:

Burton 3-0 Town
Town 0-1 Wycombe
Town 2-1 Mansfield
Lincoln 1-0 Town
Charlton 4-0 Town
Town 5-1 Crawley

Cambridge 0-1 Charlton
Shrewsbury 0-1 Cambridge
Cambridge 2-2 Wrexham
Cambridge 1-1 Northampton
Barnsley 1-1 Cambridge
Cambridge 0-1 Peterborough

Town are 9th in the League One table with 64 points. Cambridge are 23rd with 35.

RE: Cambridge at home on Good Friday - theo_luddite - 15-04-2025

If some of Town's payers would only put the effort in you do Snoots. They make all the right noises on Radio Local or the Town YouTube website, then go for a wander. Not sure if they are eating chicken or playing like chickens, either way, they ain't selling season cards for next season with these performances.

RE: Cambridge at home on Good Friday - Lord Snooty - 15-04-2025

Not just me, theo. You, jjamez and Amelia all put a lot of effort into these threads. All of us with our own different ways of doing it. Smile

RE: Cambridge at home on Good Friday - themaclad - 16-04-2025

I try to put a lot into mine but creatively it’s hard when you have three games in seven days

But that’s the nature of the beast

RE: Cambridge at home on Good Friday - jjamez - 16-04-2025

I think he'll go full strength (whatever that means in our case) until it is mathematically impossible at least I would. It's a 46 game season, no point calling quits whilst there's still technically something to play for, we never know what could happen. Plus, the players shouldnt need telling that they are playing for contracts and to get ahead of the pack for the next manager, seems like some are brain dead and don't think like this, but they will be the first to cry when come August the manager has replaced them without moving them on purely because of attitude.

That's the problem with modern day football, they want fame and fortune, believe their own hype and 'talent', feed off what advisors and agents tell them, but won't do the basic essentials, work hard, train hard, try hard. It's like they don't realise there are millions of people out there that would give their left organ to be where they are, doing what they do. We see more and more players squandering what is essentially a gift.

The thing I've been thinking about, is if you look back at successful or semi successful clubs, they all had a few key players to build around and focus on, mourinho MK1 Chelsea had drogba, Terry and lampard, manure had scholes, giggs, van nistlerooy, then Rooney and ronaldo, Liverpool had Gerrard and Torres, then Suarez. Lee Clark had pills, Roberts and Rhodes, Wagner's town had mooy, almost on his own, but still someone. We have who in this side? For me, no-one.

As for the game, I'd be starting Charles, with or without Taylor, keep rooskens going, keep kas going, they are the closest two to build something around, which says it all.

RE: Cambridge at home on Good Friday - Lord Snooty - 16-04-2025

You're right jjamez. And Carlos had Toffolo and O'Brien. We've been on a rapid downhill since those two left.

RE: Cambridge at home on Good Friday - theo_luddite - 16-04-2025

Not just the posts on here though Snoots, you're all over these boards .

Anyroad - for anyone fancying a day in the boiling hot sun (you wish) on the open end at Stockport on Monday (I know, it might be a rash late Easter Egg fuelled decision) there's no trains stopping at Stockport on Monday, even if they go through it. Rail replacement buses from Wilmslow or Manchester Piccallily.

RE: Cambridge at home on Good Friday - theo_luddite - 17-04-2025

I see Kevin the Gerbil has been spouting off again. In his attempts to rally the fans - 'there will be lots of changes on and off the pitch for next season' - he's delivered yet another of his demotivating speeches to the players. Anyone who's out of contract can forget about getting a new one - or words to that effect. Um, yeah, so as a player, why exactly would I work my bollocks off for you then? Just pay me off and I'll see what my agent can line up for next season.

'Some of us have made mistakes and sometimes made the same mistake more than once.' You're not wrong there pal, You are at the head of the queue.

RE: Cambridge at home on Good Friday - Lord Snooty - 18-04-2025

It's match day. Yaaay.

Do we have to? Rolleyes

RE: Cambridge at home on Good Friday - Lord Snooty - 18-04-2025

Huddersfield Town Interim Head Coach Jon Worthington has made three changes to his side ahead of this afternoon’s Good Friday clash with Cambridge United in Sky Bet League One at the John Smith’s Stadium.

With one amendment each in defence, midfield and attack, Town welcome back Radinio Balker, Antony Evans and Callum Marshall into the starting side today. Having each been substitutes last time out, they trade places with Lasse Sorensen, Mickel Miller and Joe Taylor, who are all amongst the substitutes.

Otherwise unchanged, Lee Nicholls remains in goal with Matty Pearson and Josh Ruffels ahead of him, with Club captain Jonathan Hogg and David Kasumu providing cover from the middle areas that will allow Ben Wiles and the aforementioned Evans ahead of them more creative licence. In attacking areas, Ruben Roosken and Dion Charles round out today’s selection.

Alongside goalkeeper Jacob Chapman, a trio of Josh Koroma, Ollie Turton and Joe Hodge remain options from the bench for Jon Worthington.

With none of Town’s remaining six injured players able to return this afternoon, we remain without the services Danny Ward (ACL), Nigel Lonwijk (hamstring), Rhys Healey (knee), Herbie Kane (knee), Tom Lees (knee) and Brodie Spencer (hamstring) today.

TOWN’S TEAM TO FACE CAMBRIDGE UNITED (H)

1. Lee Nicholls
3. Josh Ruffels
4. Matty Pearson
6. Jonathan Hogg ©
7. Callum Marshall
8. Ben Wiles
15. Dion Charles
18. David Kasumu
21. Antony Evans
24. Radinio Balker
26. Ruben Roosken

SUBSTITUTES

Jacob Chapman; Lasse Sorensen, Josh Koroma, Mickel Miller, Ollie Turton, Joe Taylor, Joe Hodge

I'm now sat at home, watching Exeter v Burton. I actually set off for the game, realised I'd forgottem my season card, turned around and thought, shite to it!