If United are going to make it to Wembley for a second successive year, they will have to do it the hard way.
Our play-off opponents, Stevenage Borough, have been one of the form sides in the Conference since the turn of the year, and if United triumph in tonight's first leg at the Lamex Stadium, they will become the first team to win at Stevenage's home ground since Wrexham in November last year.
Graham Westley's men are aiming to book a double date at the national stadium, having already reached the FA Trophy final, and defender Mark Roberts is confident he and his team mates can see off Gary Brabin's side.
Roberts told the Stevenage Comet: "Over two games we fancy ourselves to beat anyone in this division. We will go into the game full of confidence and we expect to beat them [Cambridge].
"All the team are just focused on getting through to the second final at Wembley. We are three games away now from the Football League and there can be no bigger motivation for us than that."
Borough were formed from the remnants of Stevenage Athletic in 1976. Their Conference debut came in 1994/95 when they secured an impressive fifth place, and they followed that up a year in impressive fashion when Barry Hayles' goals fired them to the Championship. However, they were denied Football League entry due to insufficient ground facilities.
They enjoyed a memorable FA Cup run in 1997/98, beating Swindon and United on the way to the fourth round before bowing out to Newcastle after a replay, but the season petered out as they finished mid-table. The following season showed no improvement and, and with legendary manager Paul Fairclough sacked, Richard Hill guided Boro to fifth spot.
Managers continued to come and go as Stevenage struggled to emulate the heights of 96/97. Hill, Steve Wignall, and Fairclough again all came and went, before new chairman Phil Wallace arrived, bringing with him former Peterborough coach Wayne Turner as boss.
Turner steered his charges to the FA Trophy final, where they lost to Yeovil, and after a poor start to the following season he was replaced by Graham Westley. The ex-Farnborough manager guided Stevenage to the 2005 play-offs, however they agonisingly lost 1-0 to Carlisle in the showpiece final.
However, having failed to make the play-offs in 05/06, Westley was gone, with Mark Stimpson (left) assuming control.
Although 2006/07 began disappointingly, Borough slowly recovered, and despite golden-boy George Boyd departing for Peterborough, the goal-scoring form of Steve Morison propelled Boro into seventh spot at one stage, but just three wins in their last ten matches meant hopes of a play-off place were dashed. They did pick up some silverware in the form of the FA Trophy, overturning a two goal deficit to beat Kidderminster 3-2 in the final at Wembley.
Last year was another season of turmoil, with Stimpson upping sticks for Gillingham mid-season and taking half the team with him. New boss Peter Taylor was tasked with rebuilding the squad, but Stevenage's form dipped after Christmas and they ended up missing out on the play-offs by four points. This led to Taylor's departure, with Westley reassuming control at the newly named Lamex Stadium.
The Squad
Chris Day is the regular No.1 between the sticks this year, and with service seen at QPR, Oldham, Watford, Lincoln and Millwall the 33-year brings experience to the back line.
In defence, U's fans will find a familiar face in Mark Albrighton, who joined Boro from United in the summer and is now Club Captain. He could start the match, depending on whether Jon Ashton recovers from injury. Former Spurs youngster Ronnie Henry has been Borough's regular right back this season, with Scott Laird on the left and Mark Roberts, signed from Northwich earlier this term, in the centre.
Westley has a plethora of options in midfield, although ex-U David Bridges is out injured. So instead he is likely to select two of Michael Bostwick, Darren Murphy, Gary Mills, Peter Vicenti, or the recently recalled John Martin. On the flanks, dangerman Mitchell Cole is suspended, but Andy Drury's pace is sure to be a threat from the right.
Up front Borough will be looking for inspiration from top scorer Steve Morison. The ex-Northampton forward bagged 22 goals last season and already has 27 to his name this term. Morison could be partnered by Lee Boylan, who is the third ex-United man in Boro's squad. Boylan has been in good form recently, and now has 14 goals in all competitions. He will hope to retain his place ahead of former Peterborough man Callum Willock. Veteran forward Junior Mendes is another option for Westley, having joined on loan from Aldershot, but he could come in on the left flank to replace Cole.
This Season
Westley's second reign began with a bang, although not the sort he would have wanted, as Wrexham cantered to a 5-0 win at the Racecourse Ground. A further thumping at home to Eastbourne 3-0, and away at Ebbsfleet 4-0 were accompanied by draws with Crawley and Weymouth at Broadhall Way, until success finally arrived with a 3-1 win at in-form Barrow.
Kettering immediately dented confidence after inflicting a 1-0 away defeat, but Westley's men showed signs of resilience by bouncing back with four consecutive victories. Steve Morison showed his pedigree by bagging a hat-trick in the 4-1 home win over Burton, a game in which Lee Boylan also scored his first in Boro colours, with the former notching a double as Altrincham were gunned down 3-0 at Broadhall Way the following week. Boylan and Morison were again on target as Forest Green were seen off 3-0 in Gloucestershire, whilst the short trip to Grays saw Mitchell Cole score twice in a 2-1 success.
A 3-3 draw with York was the aperitif to a disappointing 3-0 reverse at Torquay, but once again Boro showed their strength with consecutive home wins over Mansfield and Salisbury, a vital 1-0 victory away at Woking which lifted them into ninth place, in addition to a 3-0 win at Rushden in the Setanta Shield.
However, they could not capitalise on their good form and a poor run of five wins in six games unfolded. Leicester City started the rot after imposing a 3-0 FA Cup win at the Walkers Stadium, whilst league reverses came at home to both Histon and Wrexham. There was slight solace for the Broadhall Way faithful after a 1-1 draw with Northwich, but a 2-0 loss at leaders Burton saw them drop into mid-table. Then, as with their league meeting, Ebbsfleet dished out another thumping and Setanta Shield hopes were dashed thanks to a 3-0 loss.
But 2009 has been an excellent year for Westley's charges thus far. A 24-game unbeaten run propelled them into the play-offs, and saw them book a place in the FA Trophy final against York City.
Key wins over United and Kidderminster in their final six games saw Stevenage grab the last play-off place, although they were given a scare by Mansfield on the final day. A late winner from Aaron O'Connor condemned Borough to a 2-1 defeat, but they retained their place in the top five thanks to Kidderminster slipping up at home to Kettering.
Last time
Lee Boylan settled a close encounter at the Lamex earlier this month, with Stevenage winning 2-1. Boylan pounced to score after a rare mistake from Paul Carden gifted possession to the home side and set up a counter attack. Scott Laird and Mitchell Cole worked the ball into the area, where Boylan converted with characteristic aplomb.
Earlier Junior Mendes had given Borough the lead, turning smartly to beat Danny Potter at his near post, but the lead was short-lived, with Robbie Willmott netting the equaliser from a Chris Holroyd cross.
Stevenage centre half Mark Roberts was red-carded in the second period, but United couldn't make their numerical advantage count, and failed to test Chris Day at all in the closing stages. Gary Brabin's side will need to be more clinical in tonight's match.
Matt Gooding
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