Cambs rivals ready for derby game
With 11 goals, two red cards and two penalties, last season's south Cambridgeshire derbies had more than their fair share of excitement.
And with Histon and Cambridge both fighting for promotion at the top of the Blue Square Premier, the rivalry seemed stronger than ever and the action on the pitch more hotly contested.
The new campaign has proved more difficult for both sides, but anyone who felt that a comparative lack of success would dampen the derby fever needs to think again.
Cambridge United recovered from close-season managerial turmoil to make a decent start to the new campaign and led Histon by eight points just four games ago.
However a slump in form, coupled with three wins in four for the Stutes means the two sides can go level on points should Histon sneak a win on Sunday.
Boss Steve Fallon - a former Cambridge star - knows the U's will be desperate to avoid defeat even at this early stage of the season.
"They've lost two on the trot and they're wounded at the moment so it will be a really difficult game for us," said Histon boss Steve Fallon.
"There will plenty of passion and the first 20 minutes won't be for the faint hearted with both side's trying to get a foothold in the game."
Cambridge defender Wayne Hatswell concedes the derby has not come at the ideal time for his side, but is confident they can come away with the three points.
"Hopefully Histon will feel the backlash of our two defeats as it's vitally important that we get back to winning ways," he said.
"With it being a local derby it's a huge game for both the players and the fans."
Last season, the two sides drew 1-1 at the Glass World with Hatswell on the scoresheet for the U's and Jack Midson finding the net for Histon.
Prior to that match it had finished 2-2 at the Abbey and 3-2 to Cambridge in the first round of the FA Trophy.
Histon lost four key players over the summer, but despite a slow start to the new campaign seem to be showing signs of returning to their best.
"Cambridge have enjoyed what's been regarded as a good start to the season, whilst we've had a poor start," Fallon noted.
"But we're only three points behind, we've picked up our performances and we're still improving."
Meanwhile, Hatswell accepts the U's have gone off the boil with defeats to Luton and Grays Athletic in their past two matches.
"A week can be a long time in football; they weren't doing well and we were flying, but it's turned right around," he said.
The two sides have met seven times over the past three season and Fallon knows what to expect from the game.
"Last season Paul Carden was the dominant player in their side and he looks to be again this year," he said.
"Whoever is in the middle for us will have to compete with Paul and that little battle will be key, but their whole starting XI is strong."
Hatswell is ready to get stuck in for the U's and is backing their travelling support to make a big impact.
"We'll need a strong referee because it's bound to be physical and we just need to the game to flow," he said.
"Our fans will turn it into a home game for us and we've done quite well there over the past two seasons."
Histon will be without defender Lanre Oyebanjo (knee) whilst Craig Hammond, Bradley Hudson-Odoi and Neil Andrews remain as doubts.
The U's currently have a fully fit squad, but Martin Ling may make changes following the Grays defeat.
Fallon happy with derby showing
Histon boss Steve Fallon has praised his side's commitment after Matt Langston's last-minute goal earned them a 1-1 draw with Cambridge.
Chris Holroyd gave the visitors the lead at the Glass World Stadium before Langston's header gave Histon a point.
Fallon told Radio Cambridgeshire: "We need to work on that 20-minute period where we let them get on top.
"We seemed to panic a little bit on the ball, but the bigger picture is that it was a good performance."
After going four games without a win at the beginning of the season, Histon are now showing signs of improvement and Sunday's draw leaves them seven points off the Blue Square Premier play-off places.
"It's another step nearer to where we want to be," added Fallon.
"We're still a little way off, but performances like that only help us believe in the way we want to play."
On-loan winger Sam Long came off the bench late on to inject some pace into the Histon attack.
The 19-year-old has moved to the Glass World on a three-month deal from Grays Athletic and Fallon is hoping that he can make an impact during his stay.
"That wide right position, which can be a problem for us, is one that he might be able to fill," said Fallon.
"He's very enthusiastic and very direct. There's a little bit of work to be done with him but there are signs he can be a good player for us."
