Histon are United's opponents tomorrow in what promises to be a hotly contested A14 derby.

The Stutes haven't been pulling up any trees on the pitch this season, with their much-publicised financial problems curtailing a play-off push. They are currently 13th in the table.

Following the controversial departure of long-serving boss Steve Fallon, new manager Alan Lewer (pictured below) has been lumbered with the task of cutting down the Histon squad, and his pruning led to seven senior players - Danny Naisbett, Joe Welch, Matt Langston, Lanre Oyebanjo, Danny Wright, Nat Knight-Percival and Bradley Hudson-Odoi - getting the chop for last weekend's 0-0 draw with Gateshead after they reportedly failed to agree contracts, on reduced terms, for next season.

Langston has subsequently departed on loan to Crawley, but Knight-Percival returned to the team for Tuesday's 1-0 win over Tamworth, and looks set to put pen to paper in the coming days.

The story of Histon's rise through the divisions is one that will be familiar to many United fans. Promoted from the Ridgeons League in 2000, they spent five seasons in the Southern League, reaching the FA Cup first round proper for the first time and 2003, but going down 3-1 at Woking.

The following year they went one better, dispatching League Two side Shrewsbury Town but bowing out in the second round at the hands of Yeovil. However, their league form was impressive, and they picked up the Southern League title on the final day of the season to move into the Conference South.

By now legendary ex-United manager John Beck had teamed up with Fallon, and the team's direct, physical, style saw them take the Conference South by storm. They made the play-offs in their first season, finishing 5th, but were beaten in the final by St Albans.

But a few experienced additions saw them run away with the division the following season, and though they didn't have the best of times in the FA Cup, Fallon's men enjoyed a modicum of success in the FA Trophy. Indeed, it was in the Trophy that Histon and United met for their first competitive match of the modern era, and the less said about the 5-0 final score the better if you ask me.

The teams found themselves in the same division for the first time in 2007/08, and the Stutes more than held their own in their debut season in national football, finishing seventh and missing the play-offs by nine points. They also managed two wins over United, 1-0 at the Glassworld (pictured below) in the league, and 2-0 in the Trophy, although they lost the league game at the Abbey 1-0, with Mark Albrighton scoring the only goal.

Last season was the best in the club's history, as they spent the majority of the campaign in and around the top five, eventually finishing third. But they couldn't quite get over the final hurdle, losing in the play-off semi finals to Torquay, 2-1 on aggregate.

Meanwhile in the FA Cup, the Stutes proved themselves to be accomplished giant killers, dumping League One Swindon Town out in the first round before slaying once-mighty Leeds United in round two courtesy of a Matt Langston goal. They succumbed to Championship high flyers Swansea in round three.

It was always going to be difficult to replicate that success, especially after key players Patrick Ada, Matt Mitchell-King, Antonio Murray, and top scorer Jack Midson left for pastures new in the summer.

The turmoil increased when first Beck, then chairman Gareth Baldwin, departed, with Tony Roach taking the chairman's role and installing ex-U's assistant boss Lewer in the managerial hot seat.

Lewer replaced Fallon after the United legend reportedly refused to terminate the contracts of senior players Jamie Barker, Neil Andrews, John Kennedy, and Craig Pope. All have since left the Glassworld, along with Josh Simpson, who has made the leap up to the Championship with Peterborough. Lewer has brought in several of his own men, but with Roach publicly stating that the club needs to reduce more costs, he is going to have his work cut out to assemble a competitive squad for next season.

The Squad

Whether any of the contract rebels return to the Histon squad for tomorrow's game remains to be seen, but what is fairly certain is that David Knight will be in goal. The former Middlesborough trainee joined the Stutes on deadline day after a spell at Darlington.

In Oyebanjo's absence, Erkan Okay, who rejoined the club earlier this season from Chelmsford, has been filling the right back birth, with the dependable Gareth Gwillim, whose wicked dead ball deliveries are the source of many Histon goals, on the left.

One player who has signed on for next year is Adam Bygrave, a £5,000 signing from Weymouth last season. He will partner former United man Adam Tann (pictured below) in the heart of the defence.

Roach is keen for Histon to give young players an opportunity, and Lewer has done that in recent weeks with Dan Sparkes, who could start on the left wing in tomorrow's game. Lee Smith, signed in the summer from Bury Town, has been one of Histon's outstanding performers this term, and will operate on the other flank.

In the centre, the experienced Glen Southam, once of Dagenham and Hereford, will probably partner Knight-Percival in the centre, though the latter can operate anywhere across the midfield.

Goals have been a problem for Histon this term, and with Wright now on the sidelines responsibility up front falls to Charlie Sheringham, son of ex-England forward Teddy. He enjoyed a prolific first half of the season in the Conference South with Bishop's Stortford, but has yet to open his Stutes account since moving to the Glassworld in January on loan.

Alongside him could be another loanee, Gillingham's Andy Pugh, although he missed the Tamworth game due to injury. Lewer's other option up front is Andrew Tidswell, a summer acquisition from Bury Town.

This Season

Histon have been inconsistent so far this season, which is reflected in their mid-table league position.

After getting off to a great start, dispatching newly promoted Gateshead 3-0 on the opening day, they won just one of their next nine games before steadying the ship by winning three of their next four - against Hayes and Yeading, Ebbsfleet, and Eastbourne.

They also picked up a point against United in our match at the Glassworld, with Matt Langston's close range effort cancelling out Chris Holroyd's strike to earn the home side a point. A disappointing 2-1 defeat at Conference North side Hinckley in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round added to the Stutes financial woes.

A run of draws preceded Fallon's departure, and although their December league programme was almost entirely wiped out by the cold weather, Lewer claimed a win in his first game in charge, 1-0 over Kettering.

However, 2010 hasn't been great to Histon so far, with two wins - 1-0 at Ebbsfleet then over Tamworth by the same scoreline last Tuesday - being the only highlights of the year to date.

Lee Smith's winner against Tamworth was the first goal the Stutes had scored in five games, so Lewer will be looking for his charges to improve in front of goal if they are to go on and secure a top half finish.

Last Time

United and Histon shared the spoils after an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Abbey last Boxing Day.

In a first half almost entirely dominated by the U's, Wayne Hatswell gave the home side the lead, beating Joe Welch from 25 yards. Scott Rendell then doubled United's advantage with a close range header after good work from Josh Coulson.

But the second half was a different story, with Histon roaring back into contention when Jack Midson turned the ball past Danny Potter from two yards.

And the comeback was complete when Antonio Murray, now with United, volleyed in from inside the box. Steve Fallon's side went on to dominate the closing stages, but the match ended all square.

Matthew Gooding