Preview: Cambridge United

15 February 2019

Setting the scene…

Tranmere Rovers hit the road on Saturday when they make the trip to the Abbey Stadium for a League Two fixture away at Cambridge United.

Rovers returned to winning ways in the fourth-tier last weekend when they saw off nine-man Stevenage 2-0 at Prenton Park with strikes from Kieron Morris and James Norwood earning three points for Micky Mellon’s side.

TRFC are 12^th in the division, seven points off the Play-Offs ahead of the visit to Colin Calderwood’s U’s, who moved up to 19^th following their 1-0 home win over Port Vale last Saturday.

Team news

Steve McNulty is still an absentee having only just started light training whilst Sid Nelson is due to miss out due to a broken nose. Ollie Banks is currently nursing an ear injury ahead of our visit to Cambridge.

The U’s season so far

A recent positive run of form has seen Cambridge move away from the relegation places in the fourth-tier.

Following the appointment of the former Tottenham Hotspur defender in December, the U’s have steadily climbed the league table since the turn of the year.

Replacing Joe Dunne at the Abbey Stadium, Calderwood has guided Cambridge to wins over Port Vale, Northampton Town, Notts County and Stevenage recently.

From their 31 matches this term, Cambridge have won 10, drawn five and lost 16.

A win over Tranmere could move the hosts up to 17th position.

One to watch

Cambridge’s top scorer Jevani Brown will look to add to his tally when Tranmere make the journey down to the Abbey Stadium on Saturday.

The striker began his playing career in the youth sides at MK Dons and Peterborough United, turning professional with the Posh.

Brown left London Road without making an appearance for the club and would later drop down to Non-League level after his departure from Peterborough.

Spells at Langford, Barton Rovers, Wingate and Finchley, Arlesey Town, Kettering Town and St Neots Town.

His form for the Southern League Premier Division, where he scored 19 goals in 19 games saw him earn a move across Cambridgeshire back to the EFL with Cambridge United.

This season, 24-year-old Brown leads his club’s goal charts with six strikes.

Match officals

Referee - Brett Huxtable

Assistant referee - Callum Walchester

Assistant referee - Rob Smith

Fourth official - William Jordan

Tickets

Are you a part of the SWA heading down to cheer TRFC on in Cambridgeshire on Saturday?

We have been allocated 586 match tickets for this fixture in the South Stand (all seated).

Prices:

Adults: £20

Concessions (64+, students with valid NUS, young persons 18-23): £15

U18: £10

U12: £5

U5: Free

Disabled supporters pay the relevant age category and receive a free carer. Wheelchair users pay £15 and receive a free carer. Wheelchair users should contact: 01223 566 500.

Tickets are available on the day of the game but ticket prices will increase by £2.

Coach travel is also available to buy both online here or in store. The coach will depart Prenton Park at 9am.

Match coverage

Can’t make it to Rovers’ away game at Cambridge United on Saturday? Don’t worry as you can keep up with goings on at the Abbey Stadium.

You can now sign up to Tranmere Rovers’ iFollow, which allows access to extended highlights and interviews with manager Micky Mellon and a player, after the game.

To sign up, click here

Alternatively, you can follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.

Twitter: @tranmererovers

Facebook: @trfcofficial

Instagram: @tranmererovers

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Cambridge 0-0 Tranmere

16 February 2019

Tranmere Rovers secured a deserved point at Cambridge United with a 0-0 draw. Cambridge, who came into the game having won their last three home games, were under pressure from Rovers for large parts, but neither side could find a break through.

Manager Micky Mellon handed starts to Zoumana Bakayogo and Mark Ellis, with the pair replacing injured duo Liam Ridehalgh and Sid Nelson.

An early overhead kick from Cambridge was the first opportunity of the game, going over the cross bar in the first 60 seconds, but it was Tranmere who controlled possession for the opening ten minutes, James Norwood and Connor Jennings showing positive early signs in attack.

Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies collided with Jabo Ibehre, after a long distance shot from David Amoo, rebounded in the Cambridge man’s path, but fortunately our captain for the game, in the absence of Steve McNulty, was able to continue.

Tranmere were playing with confidence with David Perkins in particular seeing plenty of the ball as the visitors looked to find a way through a resilient home defence.

Manny Monthe nearly did just that with a long ball upfield, looping over the United defence for Norwood to run onto, but a last ditch by George Taft prevented the striker from putting an effort on goal.

Norwood did get his chance in the 29th minute, meeting a cross from the left hand side to direct a header on goal, but it straight into the grateful hands of Dimitar Mitov.

Tranmere nearly gifted Cambridge with a goal as Ibehre was put through on goal by a poor back pass, but a strong save from Davies prevented the striker with a certain goal.

The half-finished with Cambridge putting on the pressure but the score at the interval was 0-0.

The second half started with Rovers shooting towards the vocal away crowd, as Kieron Morris had the half’s first chance, hitting a half volley wide of the mark.

Tranmere were growing in confidence, Norwood perfectly timed a run to meet Perkins through ball but was unable to make clean contact on his half volley.

Manager Mellon made his first change of the game in the 65th minute, Jonny Smith replacing fellow winger Pringle in a like for like change.

The Bristol City loan man was looking a threat for TRFC, as he started to make direct runs at the full back Harrison Dunk.

The second change came in the form of Adam Buxton, again a like for like change, as Jake Caprice left the field of play.

However, the game finished 0-0 and Tranmere now move on to Tuesday night’s game at Port Vale.

Tranmere: Davies, Caprice (Buxton 80), Ellis, Monthe, Bakayogo, Pringle (Smith 65), McCullough, Perkins, Morris, Jennings, Norwood: Unused subs: Pilling, Mullin, Gilmour, Banks, Dagnall.

Attendance: 4872, 629 away

Match Reports

Ticket News

Cambridge United ticket details

13 February 2019

Tickets for our away fixture at Cambridge United on Saturday 16th February on now on sale here.