United 4-2 Tranmere: 24th January 2026

Watts supercharges U's comeback win

The scoreboard at the Abbey Stadium was illuminated with the name of a U’s fan on Saturday, welcoming him to his first ever Cambridge United match. This happens quite a lot with kids, but not so much with older supporters.

What was notable about this chap making his bow was the fact that he’d made the trip all the way from Australia. You may think that Oldham away next Saturday is a schlep, but it feels like a local derby compared to the mileage this gent had put in.

At half time, United trailing at home to Tranmere Rovers and with their 11-league game unbeaten streak in serious jeopardy, he could have been forgiven for questioning what he’d let himself in for. It’s not always like this.

At full time, the U’s having roared back with their most swashbuckling spell of recent times, scoring four goals in under 40 minutes, he could have been forgiven for extending his stay in the country until after the promotion party in May. It’s really not always like this.

From new faces to familiar ones, there were a couple of ex-Cambridge men stepping off the coach for the away side. Joe Ironside was a promotion winning, Newcastle slaying, played for the club without realising he had a broken sternum legend of recent times, and he was given the welcome back his three years of service deserved.

Andy Parkinson spent more time in the treatment room than he did on the pitch in an 18-month spell ending in early 2010, ancient history in comparison, and is now part of Tranmere’s coaching staff. He didn’t seem to have aged a day, which only goes to show he looked like he was in his 40s when he rocked up at the Abbey as a 29 year old.

Ironside’s applause handed out, onto action. United’s play in the first half primarily relied upon the repeated tactic of Kell Watts playing a long diagonal out of defence and a Tranmere man nodding the ball into touch to set up a James Gibbons long throw.