The 2014/15 campaign was a season of two halves for Cambridge United, ultimately ending in safety being secured with a 19th-place finish.

Just five wins in the league from January onwards saw what threatened to be an impressive first season back in League Two after winning the 2013/14 Conference Play-Off Final against Gateshead turn into a case of mere survival.

A run to the fourth round of the FA Cup did not aid Cambridge’s cause with the ‘magic of the cup’ sweeping into the Abbey Stadium when Manchester United visited in January.

With a goalless draw secured - current Barnet pair Michael Nelson and Tom Champion both played - the U’s were knocked out in the replay at Old Trafford as Juan Mata, Marcos Rojo and James Wilson all found the net.

The cash generated by that run, which also included wins over Fleetwood Town, Mansfield Town and Luton Town, has financed a big revamp of boss Richard Money’s squad this summer.

Former Southend United hitman Barry Corr, fresh from guiding the Shrimpers into League One via the play-offs in May, was a major coup for the U’s and has made an impressive start to life at Cambridge by netting five times in his first three league starts.

The Irishman, 30, had never been prolific before joining the Essex side from Exeter City in 2010. But a return of 50 league goals in 110 starts was a return which made the Wicklow-born striker one of the most feared strikers in the fourth tier.

Times Series: Summer signing Barry Corr at Southend United last season. Picture: Action ImagesSummer signing Barry Corr at Southend United last season. Picture: Action Images

Having begun his careers at Leeds United, Corr moved onto Sheffield Wednesday in 2005 but did not score before a switch to Swindon Town in 2009. A modest return of seven goals in 34 outings preceded a move to West Country rivals Exeter, mustering just six in 37.

But something clicked at Roots Hall and the 6ft 3in targetman scored double figures in the league in three of his four seasons with Southend, enough to tempt Money into moving for the striker this summer.

Midfielder Luke Berry is already well-known to U’s supporters after spending four years at the Abbey Stadium prior to a switch to League One Barnsley last season.

A regular at Oakwell, the 23-year-old was brought back to the club this summer on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Berry was part of the Cambridge side which won promotion back to the Football League in 2014.

Times Series: Luke Berry (right) during his solitary season at Barnsley. Picture: Action ImagesLuke Berry (right) during his solitary season at Barnsley. Picture: Action Images

Another midfield arrival was Preston North End’s Keith Keane. The Luton-born Republic of Ireland youth cap had spent three years at Deepdale, save for loan stints at Crawley Town and Stevenage.

The 28-year-old, who can play as a holding midfielder or in either full-back position, previously spent 17 years at Luton Town after coming through the Hatters’ youth rank and making 277 first-team appearances.

During his time at Kenilworth Road Keane won promotion from League One and the 2009 Football League Trophy as the Hatters slipped out of the Football League for the first time in 124 years of existence.

Times Series: Keith Keane battles with Luke Gutteridge of former club Luton Town whilst at Crawley Town. Picture: Action ImagesKeith Keane battles with Luke Gutteridge of former club Luton Town whilst at Crawley Town. Picture: Action Images

A flying start to the League Two season came to an abrupt end on Saturday as the U’s went down 3-0 at home to recently-relegated Crawley Town at the Abbey.

Prior to that defeat Money’s men had been unbeaten, winning 3-0 against Newport County on the opening day before drawing 4-4 at Carlisle United and defeating AFC Wimbledon 2-1 at Kingsmeadow.

Barnet last met Cambridge in March 2014 with Connor Dymond scoring a rasping equaliser in a 1-1 draw after Josh Gillies’ 23rd-minute penalty.

The home meeting also ended in a draw, 2-2. The Bees were denied a dramatic late win after coming from back from 2-0 down when George Sykes saw his bundled ‘winner’ ruled out after the ball was deemed to have gone out of play from a corner whilst lost in a smoke bomb behind the goal.

The Bees have not lost at home to Cambridge since 1993, winning four of the last five meetings between the two. It is Barnet who have the upper hand, too, with seven wins to five across all competitions.

Cambridge United starting XI v Crawley Town (22.08.15): Dunn; Roberts, Legge, Taft, Omozusi; Keane, Newton, Dunk, Donaldson, Berry; Blyth.