The Boat Race may have been won, but Cambridge and Oxford lock horns again tomorrow - this time on the football field.

The Annual Varsity football match – one of the oldest fixtures in world football - takes place at Cambridge United’s Abbey Stadium tomorrow evening (Friday), kick-off 7pm.

Originally meant to take place at Craven Cottage on Boat Race day, the match had to be rescheduled due to Fulham Football Club’s extraordinary success in the Europa League.

Tickets for tomorrow’s match cost just £5 for adults and £1 for U-16s.

Cambridge captain Michael Johnson says the Varsity match against Oxford is the perfect opportunity to put behind them the frustrations of what could have been their best-ever season.

“At one stage in the season, CUAFC were on course for their greatest season ever with a league title, cup final and Varsity in our sights,” he said. “But we were pipped to the title by one point and lost the cup final. With only Varsity left, the squad are even more determined to make sure they win something this year.”

Their cause should be aided by the fact they have eight returning Blues to face Oxford. Cambridge can also take encouragement from their last outing, a 3-0 win over Cambridge University Press.

Johnson added: “The award-winning pitch at the Abbey Stadium is in pristine condition which should help our passing style of play. The back four, who have played together all season, will be key to a Cambridge win.”

Oxford will also be wary of Matt Stock, who scored four goals in his last Varsity match against Oxford. Winger Mark Baxter and striker Chris Gotch will also pose a goal threat.

However, Cambridge will have to nullify Oxford’s physical presence and direct game, as well as the wingers that dominated last year’s fixture.

More than 1,000 supporters from both universities, as well as local football fans, are expected to attend tomorrow evening’s match.
 

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