Match Preview: Crewe Alex vs Cambridge Utd

1 October 2021

After Tuesday's defeat, The U's head to Crewe Alexandra looking to bounce back...

Form:

Mark Bonner will be looking for a response from his U’s side following defeat to Gillingham on Tuesday. United were unable to respond after going down to goals from Vadaine Oliver and Danny Lloyd either side of the half-time whistle – seeing the three points head back to Kent.

Cambridge United Form: LWWDL

Despite defeat, spirits will remain high in the United camp, having won four of their previous seven outings in all competitions.

Prior to Tuesday, strikes from Shilow Tracey and Adam May saw United earn a point against an inform Fleetwood side, however manager Mark Bonner stated post-match the frustration caused seeing United fail to hold out for all three points, having been in control of large parts of the second half.

The departures of star men Charlie Kirk, Ryan Whintle and Harry Pickering has hit David Artell’s men hard throughout the opening nine games of the new season – with his side failing to register their first (and only) league win of the season until mid-September, against the ten-men of Burton Albion.

Crewe Alexandra Form: DWLDD

Despite early season woes, there may be renewed hope for the Railwaymen, having only lost one in their last six outings in all competitions. Most recently, earning a respectable point against Plymouth Argyle – with Artell’s side striking after just three minutes through Scott Kashket before Ryan Hardie’s equalised for the hosts mid-way through the second 45.

Crewe fans will be hoping that striker Mikael Madron, who contributed to 15 league goals in his maiden season with the Railwaymen last season, can carry on his form as he spearheads a side aiming for successive mid table finishes in the third tier following their promotion from League Two during the 19/20 season.

Down Memory Lane:

History favours Mark Bonner’s side as they prepare for a trip to the Mornflake Stadium, seeing The U’s run out victorious on 15 of the 31 occasions both sides have clashed – with Crewe coming out on top eight times.

Sam Smith’s brace, coupled with an excellent Paul Lewis header saw Colin Calderwood’s side run out 3-2 winners against eventual League Two runners-up in an entertaining affair the last time the two sides faced off at the Mornflake Stadium in 2019.

Colin Calderwood’s U’s took the lead 12 minutes in through loanee Sam Smith, before the hosts were reduced to ten-men as Paul Green was dismissed five minutes shy of the half-time whistle. The entertainment didn’t let-off in the second half either, as two quick-fire goals from the hosts flipped the score, however United responded well, with Liam O’Neil’s excellent delivery being expertly met by the head of Paul Lewis before Sam Smith sealed the three points after United were awarded a penalty - much to David Artell’s dismay, who expressed his feelings post-match.

Quick Quotes:

U’s boss Mark Bonner appreciates the challenges that Crewe pose ahead of their game on Saturday: “Crewe are a team that have had a bit of flexibility in their shape recently, traditionally a 4-3-3 team however in the last two games have played a back three away from home. They have had two good draws in their last two that they will be really satisfied with.

“Crewe teams are always comfortable with the ball and are happy to be in possession. They are a good footballing side, and yes, they have not maybe had the results or the reward in the early part of the season that some of their football has deserved - but they are certainly a team that we will have to go well against in terms of our defensive side of the game, because they are very technical, they have multiple players with pace in wide areas.

“They are a real threat in possession of the ball, and we will have to make sure that we are well organised and structured to defend against and we have to get our pressing game right.”

You can read or watch Mark Bonner’s full press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash.

David Artell is hoping his side can turn The Railwaymen’s current run of draws into wins: “We have had one defeat in the last six games, and that is a step in the right direction. There have been too many draws in that sequence but if it can become one defeat in eight games and there is three wins in there, it looks a lot healthier.

“That is the challenge for us but I think it shows that we are getting there. It hasn’t been a bad foundation to build from and I believe we are improving. We will get there. There is still a long way to go to where we want to be but I cannot fault the lads at the moment.

“They are absolutely working their socks off and are probably further on in our development than I thought we would be. That is credit to them and we have to keep working hard out of the training ground to strive to get better.”

Officials:

After refereeing Ipswich Town’s 6-0 drubbing of struggling Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday, Carl Brook will make the trip to the Cheshire to head up United’s clash on Saturday with Crewe.

The East Sussex-born official has spent this season jumping around League’s One and Two, and will lead up a U’s game for the first time since January, where he impressively booked nine players in United’s 2-1 win against Harrogate Town. Despite falling behind in the first-half, goals from Wes Hoolahan and Joe Ironside sealed the three points for Mark Bonner’s side on the day.

Linesmen Kevin Mulraine and Christopher Ward have been appointed to assist Carl Brook, with Chris Isherwood coming in as fourth official.

Tickets:

Mark Bonner's men now make the journey to the Mornflake Stadium for a 3:00pm kick-off on Saturday 2nd of October to face Crewe Alexandra.

Two Away Credits will be rewarded for this fixture and prices can be found below:

£25 - Adult
£19 - 64+
£12 - Under 17
£7.50 - Under 11

Wheelchair tickets are available, paying concession rates at £19 with a carer FOC.

CFU's Away Travel is also available to book now for £30 per person. You can click here for more information.

Buy your tickets from CUFCTickets.com, by calling 01223 566500 (Option 1) or by purchasing from the Abbey Stadium Ticket Office during our Opening Hours. Tickets will also be available for fans to buy on the day from the Mornflake Stadium.

Visit the Live Match Centre to access form guides, live text commentary and live access to the match on iFollow

Match Reports

Match Report: Adam May earns U's dramatic point at Crewe

2 October 2021

A big second-half performance from Mark Bonner's men earned a deserved point at the Mornflake Stadium...

Adam May rescued a dramatic point for the U's with almost the last kick of the game, after Sam Smith had given the U’s hope 15-minutes before the full-time whistle.

The boss named two chances going into the clash, seeing Adam May return to the side in place of Sam Smith – who dropped to the bench, as well as handing Jack Lankester his first league start of the season, replacing Shilow Tracey.

The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening 10 minutes, with Joe Ironside heading on goal after some good work by James Brophy down The U’s left. However, somewhat against the run of play, the U's found themselves a goal behind after veteran Chris Porter had done well to cushion long ball down to Oliver Finney, who slotted home after ten minutes from the edge of the area.

Following the opening goal, United really struggled to gain control of the game in the minutes that followed, seeing the Railwaymen spurn a couple of chances moments before goal scorer Oliver Finney turned provider, neatly teeing up Scott Robertson to double the host’s lead after 24 minutes.

Mark Bonner’s men began to grow into the game as the first half drew to a conclusion, with Adam May going close with a low strike from an acute angle, which clipped Will Jasskelainen's post, before moments later midfielder Adam May, who was involved in United's best play in the first half, neatly set up Paul Digby to unleash a strike on goal – which was well blocked.

The second half saw the U’s come out with a higher intensity, with Adam May and Joe Ironside going close in the early stages – the latter being excellently picked out by James Brophy, however saw his header fly agonisingly high of the bar.

The U's boss turned to the bench in the 63^rd minute, with Shilow Tracey and Wes Hoolahan being introduced for Jack Lankester and Conor Masterson – seeing Paul Digby drop into the back four in place of the departing Masterson.

Wes Hoolahan immediately began to become the main instiagtor in United's best attacks, doing well to find Shilow Tracey before the winger was excellently tackled as he was about to pull the trigger.

Finally, United would take one of their chances in the 79^thminute, as an outstretched Sam Smith connected with an excellent Jack Iredale cross - setting up a nervy final ten minutes for the hosts.

Shilow Tracey, who was again nealty played through by the ever-involved Wes Hoolahan, had a golden opportunity to level the scoring just moments later. However, with Sam Smith free in the centre, decided to go for glory before shooting high and wide of the opposotion's net.

With the game almost looking out of reach for Mark Bonner's men in the 94th minute, the U’s completed a dramtic comeback with almost the last kick of the game. Wes Hoolahan recieved a loose ball on the edge of the Crewe area before expertly tee-ing up the advancing Adam May to brilliantly fire into the bottom corner - a deserved equaliser for Mark Bonner’s men, who dominated large proceedings of the second half.

The U’s next make the trip to Morecambe, looking to build upon Saturday's draw – with tickets now available for fans to buy.

Starting XI: Mitov, Williams, Iredale, Digby, Jones, Brophy, O'Neil, Ironside, May, Lankester, Masterson

Bench: Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Smith, Dunk, Okedina, Hoolahan, Weir, Knibbs

Attendance: 4247 (337)