Cambridge University? No, no, no! I don’t think so! Cambridge United v Southend United

December 24, 2014 by Alec Hitchman

Cambridge University?

No, no, no! I don’t think so! Cambridge United v Southend United

Southend United make the short trip to Cambridge on Boxing Day, for the first time since 2005. 

Blues go into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw with fellow promotion contenders Burton Albion, whilst Cambridge also drew their last match, 1-1 away at Tranmere Rovers.

The two sides have met a total of 30 times, with Southend winning half of the 30 games played. Cambridge have won 7, whilst there have been 8 draws. Cambridge & Southend first met as recently as 1970, when Southend comprehensively won 3-0 at The Abbey Stadium, which still remains as Cambridge’s ground.


Overall Meetings:
Cambridge Wins: 8
Draws: 7
Southend Wins: 15

Who are Cambridge United?
Full Name: Cambridge United Football Club
Founded: 1912 – Six years after Southend.
Nickname: United, The U’s
Ground: The Abbey Stadium (9,617 Capacity)
Manager: Richard Money
2013-14 Season: Conference Premier – 2nd – Promoted via the Play-Offs


Most Recent Line-Ups

Cambridge United: Dunn, Taylor, Coulson, Nelson, Hughes, Naylor, Champion, Simpson, Bird (Chadwick – 55’), Appiah, Cunnington (Kaikai – 55’)

Southend United: Bentley, White, Bolger, Prosser, Coker, Leonard, Payne, Atkinson, Hurst, Corr (Weston – 82’), Worrall

Last Time We Met – Cambridge United 0-2 Southend United – 28/03/2005

Cambridge United: Ruddy, Duncan, Gleeson, Tann, Newey, Walker (Quinton – 74’), Somner (Toner – 52’), Tudor, Roberts, Nicholls, Chillingworth (Turner – 72’)

Southend United: Flahavan, Jupp, Wilson, Prior, Barrett, Maher, Pettefer, Bentley, Gower, Gray, Eastwood

Cambridge’s Last 5 Results
Tranmere Rovers (A) – D 1-1
Mansfield Town (A) – W 0-1 – FA Cup Second Round Replay
Shrewsbury Town (H) – D 0-0
Mansfield Town (H) – D 2-2 – FA Cup Second Round
AFC Wimbledon (A) – W 1-2


What Could Happen?

A win for Cambridge would put them up to 9th if all other results go their way. If this was to happen, they would only be 3 points behind Southend. 

A win for Blues can only take them up one place to 5th, but that can only happen if Plymouth Argyle lose.


Team News

Cambridge: The home side are without ex-Blues trialist Jordan Chedozie, whist others who could miss out are Harrison Dunk, Tom Elliott & Ryan Donaldson. New signing (from Cork City)  Gearoid Morrissey, could make his first U’s appearance. 

Southend: Personally, I expect an unchanged side from the one that drew with Burton last Friday. Blues only two absentees are Jerome Binnom-Williams (Suspended – 2nd match of 3) and Mads Ibenfeldt (Broken foot). Of course, Lee Barnard remains on loan at Stevenage.


I was unable to get any Cambridge views this week.

Merry Christmas and thank you to all who read these previews & reports! Be sure to look out for my Mid-Season Review/Preview, to be published sometime around the new year period!