Cambridge Preview: 1st leg

Tomorrow night’s game is the next biggest game of Stevenage Borough’s history. It seems like every game at the moment just keeps getting that bit more important and the visit of Cambridge United to Broadhall Way for the second time in the month promises to be another end to end affair. Boro ran out 2-1 winners a few weeks ago with goals coming from Junior Mendes and Lee Boylan. In fact, the Hertfordshire club are unbeaten against their rivals from up the A10 this season. The two sides drew 1-1 at the Abbey back in December before the return game at Broadhall Way in April. Lets hope the results in the play-offs echo what was achieved in the league this season!

Graham Westley has another suspension to deal with after Mitchell Cole was dismissed at Mansfield on Sunday. I expect Junior Mendes will come into the side on the left with Andy Drury on the right. Jon Ashton may be fit enough to come back into defence and partner Mark Roberts. Westley also has to decide whether to recall Gary Mills, who played well against Cambridge last time out or stick with the midfield duo of Darren Murphy and Michael Bostwick. Cambridge will check on the fitness of Courtney Pitt and Andy Parkinson ahead of the short trip. Other than that they are at pretty much full strength.

I think we have to go for it tomorrow and try and get at Cambridge early. An early goal dictated the way the game went at Broadhall Way a few weeks ago and a repeat of that tomorrow night would be an ideal start. Phil Bolland should partner Wayne Hatswell at the back instead of youngster Josh Coulson so Morison and co may find it more difficult to break down the visitors defence. I think Cambridge will set up to be hard to break down and look to counter with the pace of Robbie Wilmott and Scott Rendell. I expect Paul Carden to marshall the midfield again with the flair of Ipswich loanee Jai Reason partnering him in midfield. Daryl McMahon may have to settle for just a place on the bench.

I’m really looking forward to the game tomorrow. The atmosphere at every Boro game recently has been fantastic and the buzz is truly back at Broadhall Way at the minute. Cambridge will bring a full 1,600 in the away end which will just add to the atmosphere and the noise inside the ground should be electric. The game will be another end to end affair and if we play like we have done for the majority of the last 30 games or so then we will have a great chance of taking a good advantage to the Abbey on Bank Holiday Monday.

Prediction: Boro 2-1 Cambridge