United host high-flying Stevenage Borough today in what promises to be a Christmas cracker at the R Costings Abbey Stadium.
The visitors will be gunning for revenge after last season's heartbreaking 3-0 play-off semi-final second leg defeat at the Abbey, which saw Stevenage squander a two-goal aggregate lead earned in the first leg.
We all know what happened after that, but while United have struggled to reproduce their form of the last campaign, Stevenage have gone from strength to strength and currently sit second in the Blue Square Premier table.
However, boss Graham Westley has been dealt a blow with the news that key players Mark Roberts and Andy Drury will be sidelined until the new year with foot and hernia problems respectively.
Westley told the Comet newspaper: "Roberts has now got the cast off his foot but he needs a bit more rest and he will be back ready for us in the New Year, and it will be four or five weeks before we see Andy (Drury) in action."
The wintry weather saw Boroughs home match with Barrow postponed last weekend, but the manager said the icy conditions have not unduly affected his sides training regime.
He said: "The conditions would have been poor and it might not have been the best of spectacles so we look forward to welcoming Barrow here in the New Year.
"We started to think about three or four weeks back about how the bad weather would affect our training so plans were already in place to cope with it."
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 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 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.
The 2007/08 campaign 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 re-assuming control at the newly named Lamex Stadium.
Last year Borough started slowly, but when Westley's raft of new signings started to gel, they became one of the most formidable outfits in the Blue Square Premier. They won the FA Trophy again, beating York 2-0 in the final, and eventually finished fifth in the league, setting up that memorable play-off encounter with the U's. Borough fans will be hoping their team can go one better this time around.
The Squad
Along with Roberts and Drury, right-sided player Lawrie Wilson is also an absentee through injury, but Westley still has plenty of options to chose from.
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, former Grays man Jon Ashton will partner Michael Bostwick, with Ronnie Henry at right back and Scott Laird on the left. Ex-U Mark Albrighton hasn't played too many games this season, but is likely to start on the bench.
A familiar face is likely to start the game in midfield, with David Bridges (pictured above) having enjoyed a run in the side of late. He will play alongside Irishman Daryl Murphy, who was controversially red-carded for a challenge on Jon Challinor during the first leg of the play off semi final. On the flanks will be the pacey Mitchell Cole and ex-Ebbsfleet schemer Stacey Long.
Last season's top scorer Steve Morison departed for Millwall in the summer, but new signing Charlie Griffin has filled the void left by the ex-Northampton striker, and is Borough's top scorer this season with nine. He is likely to be paired with Chris Beardsley, a summer acquisition from Kettering, although Yemi Odubade and former United striker Lee Boylan are also available.
This Season
Stevenage were in great form during the second half of last season, and they've continued in a similar vein this term, tasting defeat just twice, at the hands of league leaders Oxford and struggling Ebbsfleet.
The season started with three draws, against Tamworth, Hayes and Yeading, but Borough soon got into their stride, winning six of their next seven matches. Another little run of three draws in September checked their stride somewhat, but an impressive 1-0 win at near neighbours Luton Town proved they have what it takes to mix with the best the Blue Square Premier has to offer.
Although they went out of the FA Cup at the first round stage, losing 1-0 in a replay to Port Vale, their defence of the Trophy began successfully with a comfortable 2-0 win against Ebbsfleet, Beardsley and Bridges the scorers. Their last league fixture also resulted in a 2-0 win, with late goals from Ashton and Cole seeing off the challenge of a spirited Kidderminster side.
Last time
Stevenage came to Cambridge last season with one foot already in the play off final after establishing a 3-1 lead in the first leg at the Lamex Stadium.
However, football is a funny old game, and United made the visitors pay for a host of missed chances to book a second successive date at Wembley. The first half ended goalless, with the best opportunity falling to Steve Morison, who dragged a shot wide when he really should have scored.
In front of a near-capacity crowd, United knew they needed an early goal in part two, and made the breakthrough thanks to Robbie Willmott, who cut in from the right and saw his shot deflected past Chris Day. And it was all square on aggregate when Scott Rendell turned the ball in from six yards after Jai Reason's free kick had been headed down by Wayne Hatswell.
With extra-time looming Stevenage spurned three glorious chances to win the match, with Mills have a shot cleared off the line, Morison failing to convert the rebound with the goal gaping, and Ashton heading a subsequent corner straight at Danny Potter.
The additional 30 minutes saw Borough's Scott Laird sent off for a second yellow card, but his side held out well and looked set to earn a penalty shoot out before Scott Rendell swooped in the final minute, ramming the ball home after Day had blocked a Paul Carden shot to spark wild celebrations amongst the home supporters.
