Rovers are off to Cambridge on Saturday for this clash of 3rd place against 2nd in League 2. The U’s sit level on points with Rovers, having played 2 games more. Cambridge were one of the divisions early pace-setters but they stumbled in December before settling again. They have 4 wins, 3 losses and a draw in their last 8 outings.
Cambridge have the league’s 2nd most potent attack and its 5th meanest defence. They have almost as many points on the road as they have at home this season. Last time out they recovered from a 2-0 deficit away at Oldham to end up winning 4-2. In the reverse fixture at the New Lawn, 2nd half strikes from Aaron Collins and Jamille Matt gave Rovers a 2-0 victory – one of the few matches this season to have home spectators watching.
The goals of striker Paul Mullin (No 10) have been key to Cambridge’s success – he has 24 in the league this season! Mullin was nominated as League 2’s Player of the Month in September and then won the award in October and is clearly a man in form. Fellow striker Joe Ironside (No20) has supported Mullin with 11 goals in all competitions.
Cambridge’s biggest ever league wins have been 7-0 victories, which they have achieved 3 times. FGR fans may remember our own 7-0 loss to Cambridge in September 2009 when the teams were in the National League. Better memories will be the January 2018 clash when 2 goals from Doidge, 2 from Grubb and 1 from Campbell saw Rovers victorious in a 5-2 thriller, having twice come from behind.
Since they first came into the Football League in 1970, Cambridge have had 25 managers, including names like Ron Atkinson, Gary Johnson and Roy McFarland. Current boss, Mark Bonner, was appointed caretaker manager last season after the dismissal of Colin Calderwood. After a successful end to last season, Bonner’s caretaker role was made permanent this season and he immediately won League 2 Manager of the Month in September.
