Take a closer look at Cambridge United ahead of Town's first round Emirates FA Cup fixture.
Shrewsbury Town will take on Sky Bet League Two Cambridge United tomorrow afternoon in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup as Sam Ricketts' men look to emulate successful previous Emirates FA Cup runs.
The U's will be full of confidence going into the fixture after enjoying an impressive start to their season. Mark Bonner's men have already chalked up seven wins from their opening 11 Sky Bet League Two fixtures as they sit in second place in the league table.
Last season, United were on the wrong end of a 4-3 thriller in the first round of the competition as Gusiley staged an upset despite the away side pulling three goals back in the second half. We take a closer look at the opposition ahead of Town's venture to Cambridgeshire.
Name: Cambridge United Football Club
Nickname: United, The U's
Founded: 1912 (108 years ago as Abbey United)
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Capacity: 8,127 (4,376 seated)
Biggest win: 7-0 v Weymouth, Conference Premier, 31 March 2007
Biggest loss: 0-7 v Sunderland, Worthington Cup 2nd round, 1 October 2002
Highest league finish: 5th, Division Two, 1991-92
Read Town Manager Sam Ricketts' thoughts ahead of the tie...
Sam Ricketts previews the Emirates FA Cup
The Manager – Mark Bonner
Bonner joined Cambridge United in June 2011, joining the Club's academy. In January 2018, Bonner was named as first-team coach, working under manager Shaun Derry and assistant Joe Dunne.
In January 2020, Bonner took temporary charge of first-team duties due to the departure of Manager Colin Calderwood. Bonner enjoyed a positive start as the U's boss, overseeing four wins in his first four matches in charge. In March 2020, Bonner was named the permanent head coach - signing a two-year contract.
Bonner's first match as permanent head coach did not come for six months, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, until Cambridge United knocked Sky Bet Championship side Birmingham City out of the first round of the 2020-21 EFL Cup.
Goalkeeper – Dimitar Mitov
U's number one, Dimitar Mitov, signed for the club on a two-year deal from Charlton in June 2017.
Progressing through the Athletic youth system, Mitov played regularly at under-23 level before arriving at the Abbey. Mitov became the U’s regular number one shortly after the arrival of Colin Calderwood as Head Coach midway through the 2018/19 season.
The Bulgarian shot-stopper has represented his country on the youth international stage - having appeared for the under-21 and under-19 sides. Mitov has kept five league clean sheets for his team this season.
Defender – Paul Digby
Paul Digby began his career in the Burnley academy and progressed through the ranks to represent the first team on a number of occasions in the Sky Bet Championship and League One.
The 25-year-old defender/midfielder has enjoyed the bulk of his playing career spent in Sky Bet League Two - having represented Mansfield Town, Forest Green Rovers, and Stevenage in the division before joining the U's.
The former England under-20 international made the move to the Abbey Stadium on the 21st of July 2020 - signing a one-year deal with the club. In eight matches, Digby has helped his team secure four clean sheets.
Midfielder – Wes Hoolahan
Vastly experience midfielder, Wes Hoolahan joined the U's on 28th July 2020 - signing a one-year deal at the Abbey Stadium.
The former Republic of Ireland international began his career with Shelbourne and Livingston before making the move to England to represent Blackpool. After a short stint with the Tangerines, Hoolahan joined Norwich City where he spent 10 years - four of which were spent regularly playing in the Premier League. The 38-year-old has also represented West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle Jets in Australia.
Forward –Paul Mullin
Paul Mullin has enjoyed an electric start to his Sky Bet League Two season with the U's having netted 11 times for his team.
The forward began his senior career with Vauxhall Motors before earning a move to Morecambe in the Football League in 2014. Moves to Swindon and Tranmere Rovers came before the mobile forward joined Cambridge on a loan deal that later became permanent - signing a one-year deal at the Abbey. So far this season, the striker has averaged 1.17 goals per match.
See Jason Cummings' thoughts ahead of tomorrow's fixture...
Jason Cummings previews Town's first round Emirates FA Cup fixture
League stats:
Results: W7 D2 L2
Win percentage:63%
Average points per game: 2.09
Average goals scored per game: 2.18
Average goals per game: 2.91
Average shots per match: 14
Average possession: 45%
Fouls per match: 2.82
Offsides per match: 2.91
Top goal-scorer: Paul Mullin - 11
Top Assists: Wes Hoolahan - 3
Most cards: Paul Digby - 2
Most frequent FT score: 2-1 (3 times)
Click the banner below to purchase your match pass for the fixture...
