After Saturday’s thumping 4-0 win at Southend*, United get back on the promotion bus and head to another Coronavirus hotspot, Cheltenham – home of the horse racing festival responsible for getting us into this Covid mess in the first place, and the football club, who we’re sure won’t be pathetic enough to call the game off at the last minute like certain other League Two teams…
Okay so we didn’t actually play on Saturday, and despite the disadvantage this may or may not put us in later in the season, we’ve got to deal with it, and the rest will be welcome by a team with a few key members returning to fitness. Bonner has an almost full-strength team to take his pick from, and a couple of selection headaches as we face off in this top-of-the-table clash. A result tomorrow and you have to consider us contenders.
*yeah we made it up, but we’d have thrashed them anyway.
Expected U’s Line-Up: Mitov, Knoyle, Taylor, Darling, Dunk, Hannant, Digby, Boateng, Iredale, Ironside, Mullin.
The only real question is do you drop Ironside to put Hoolahan in? Normally we’d say yes, but Big Joe is on a rich vein of form right now, having scored in his last four outings. Darling should get the nod over Cundy, and we expect Dunk and Iredale to continue bamboozling defences with their regular position swapping. Digby and Boateng provide the mettle in the middle, and Mullin will want to get back in goalscoring form.
Who’s Their Player To Watch? Reuben Reid. A constant bother at this level, Reid is one of those strikers you hate to play against. He’s been around a bit, but is always a threat.
Who’s In The Dugout? Michael Duff. A must-buy in Championship Manager 01/02, the former Burnley right back has been Cheltenham manager since 2018.
What’s Their Recent Form Like? P5 W3, D0, L2 F9 A6
Any Ex-United Players? None of any note, only Sean Long (7 appearances 2016/17) and Matty Blair (2 appearances in 2017).
Last Time Out: Cheltenham 1-1 Cambridge 14 December 2019.
Our last visit to the abysmally-named Johnny Rocks Stadium saw both teams share the points, United going 1-0 up via Paul Lewis before Will Boyle equalised. Peak Calderwood.
From The Archives: United 3-1 Cheltenham 26 November 2016.
Uche with the most typical Uche goal he ever scored, and a brace from Luke Berry. How fucking good was he that season? Future U Billy Waters with Cheltenhams late consolation.
UTAS Moosenet Tip: 1-1, Mullin
Under The Abbey Stand 
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