Must win game as Cambridge come to town

After the 4-2 defeat away at Kidderminster on Saturday, tomorrow night’s game has just got that bit bigger. If playing Cambridge at home isn’t a big enough motivation for both players & supporters anyway, it certainly will be after the weekend’s result at Aggborough. Boro need to win. Anything less and they can kiss goodbye to the Blue Square Premier play-offs for yet another season. Graham Westley knows his side need to bounce back after their first defeat in 2009 to keep the play-off dream alive. Kidderminster have a difficult run-in and will drop points, so we need to do our job to make sure we can capitalise on any slip up Mark Yates’s side may make?

Boro have selection problems ahead of the clash at Broadhall Way. Ronnie Henry went off injured on Saturday and will be replaced by either Lawrie Wilson or Mark Albrighton. GW has to make a decision on whether the athletism of Wilson will be better than the defensive know-how of Albrighton. I assume forgotten man Eddie Anaclet is also available considering he played in the recent reserve defeat against Peterborough United. I doubt he will play feature though. Also missing for Boro are Michael Bostwick, Darren Murphy and David Bridges which suddenly gives what looked like a strong midfield a week ago an under strength look. Unfortunately it looks like Gary Mills will have to start alongside either Wilson or Vincenti.

Cambridge are also struggling with injuries and suspensions, especially at the back. Phil Bolland misses out so Wayne Hatswell will be partnered at the back by either Jon Challinor or youngster Josh Coulson. It’s an area which Boro must look to exploit tomorrow night. I fancy our chances against a team with Hatswell in it anytime anyway as he is fairly slow off the block. If I was GW I’d look at getting the ball in behind the U’s defence and make Cole, Morison and Mendes run at them. Cambridge are at their strongest going forward. Rendell is obviously the danger man and always seems to score against us. Lee Phillips and Danny Crow are also threats up top, while Andy Parkinson and Robbie Wilmott can create from the flanks. And of course there’s the return to BHW of Daryl McMahon, but whether he plays or not is another question.

I’m really looking forward to the game. Local derby’s always bring out more supporters and with both teams in good form apart from Saturday then I expect a big crowd at Broadhall Way. Cambridge have more or less sealed a play-off position and until Saturday were pushing Burton for the title, but I think after the defeat to Forest Green, all hope for that has ended. I said some weeks ago that Cambridge, Torquay and Histon will take up 3 of the 4 play-off places with ourselves, Kidderminster and Kettering playing for 5th. Kidderminster are in pole position for that at the minute, but have a tough run in so anything is still possible. We just have to win our games left and see where that puts us on the 26th April.

It’s a big game and Stevenage will need to be at their best to take all 3 points. Cambridge come in good form and with a big support and Boro’s record against ‘big’ clubs is not what it should be. Gary Brabin’s side will be looking to exploit a Boro side, less Bridges and Bostwick, which is a huge loss to the midfield. David Bridges still hasn’t lost a game as a Stevenage player and is a vital part of Westley’s side. A lot of our attacking play goes through Bridges and he can always be relied upon to arrive late into the box and get the odd goal or two. Michael Bostwick is also missing due to suspension and he is another player that has been pivotal to our recent unbeaten run. He will be a big loss and to make it worse, Gary Mills has to step in for him. Come on Boro!

Prediction: Boro 1-1 Cambridge United