E-mail Article Print this story

Steve Morison

Related Links

• Teams
• Cambridge United
• Stevenage Borough

Semi-final first leg: Stevenage 3-1 Cambridge

Steve Morison hit a heroic double as 10-man Stevenage Borough firmly stamped their mark on the play-off semi-final against Cambridge United at the Lamex Stadium on Thursday evening.

The result seemed highly unlikely when the two teams went in for the interval, with Stevenage's Darren Murphy receiving his marching orders on the stroke of half time for serious foul play.

The home side came out in a determined mood after the break and deserved to take the lead on the 47 minute mark.

Mark Roberts gave the hosts an unlikely lead, albeit one that didn't last for very long.

Lee Phillips volleyed the U's level a mere two minutes later as the visitors capitalised on their numerical advantage to great effect.

But the script was torn up when Morison emphatically headed Stevenage back into the lead on the hour mark.

As Cambridge poured forward in search of an equaliser gaps started opening at the back and Morison was there to exploit them as he added the third goal with six minutes left on the clock.

The third goal handed Boro a distinct advantage ahead of the return leg at the Abbey Stadium.

Stevenage bookings: Drury.

Sent off: Murphy.

Cambridge bookings: Crow, Challinor, Gleeson.

Attendance: 4,446.

Referee: R Whitton.