MATCH PREVIEW: ACCRINGTON STANLEY
Cambridge United travel to Accrington Stanley tomorrow afternoon in Sky Bet League Two (K.O. 3:00pm), in search of their first win in three matches.A positive performance against second placed Oxford United on bank holiday Monday earned the U’s a hard fought point, and saw them bounce back quickly to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Bristol Rovers on a ‘not so’ Good Friday.
A tricky run of fixtures continues this weekend as Shaun Derry’s side make the trip to the Crown Ground to face another side in the hunt for automatic promotion this season, Accrington Stanley.
The U’s boss will be boosted by the return of Everton midfielder Ryan Ledson, who played his part in England U19’s qualification for this summer's UEFA Under-19 European Championship last weekend.
However Conor Newton, Greg Taylor and Barry Corr continue to make up United’s long-term injury list, with Ryan Donaldson also unlikely to feature due to a knee problem.
Meanwhile, John Coleman’s side will be looking to extend their five game unbeaten streak on Saturday afternoon.
Currently sat one point outside the automatic promotion places, the Lancashire outfit have enjoy a fine season to date and despite the loss of key men Josh Windass and Matt Crooks to Rangers earlier this season have maintained their high flying campaign.
Accrington left the Abbey Stadium with the spoils during Shaun Derry’s first match on home soil in November, with Windass registering the winner from the penalty spot in a 3-2 defeat for United on that day.
The hosts also lead the head-to-head records by three wins to the U’s one, and Shaun Derry is under no illusion of the test his side face this weekend.
He said: “Accrington have had an outstanding season, and it has been incredible when you consider the scale of their football club compared to many in the League. John (Coleman, Accrington Manager) has done unbelievably well and has to be up there for Manager of the year alongside Chris Wilder. He has galvanised the football club since taking the reins and been exceptional.
“But we’ve made strides ourselves and we want to go to up there, put on a performance that can give them a good game.
“I’m sure it will be an entertaining game because that is the sort of football they play, they play out from the back through the thirds and have got wingers who can put the ball into the box at the right time. We’ll have to try and stop the source of that by taking our game plan to them.”
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