Stevenage Borough

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Yemi Odubade

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Stevenage 4-1 Cambridge Utd

Stevenage Borough leapfrogged Oxford United into pole position on New Year's Day with a convincing victory over Cambridge United at Broadhall Way.

The match started slowly as both sides struggled to hold onto the ball but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Yemi Odubade nodded home at the far post from Stacy Long's long pass.

Stevenage responded well and drew level in the 38th minute when Danny Crow met Courtney Pitt's inswinging free kick with a flicked header which eluded Boro goalkeeper Chris Day.

However, Boro were up to the challenge and reclaimed the lead just before the half-time break when goalscorer Odubade turned provider.

Michael Bostwick and Odubade combined well on the left flank before the latter sent the ball into the box and Lee Boylan was on hand to finish from close range.

And Stevenage didn't take their foot off the gas after the break as Chris Beardsley headed home Odubade's flicked header from two yards to make it 3-1.

The home side put the result beyond doubt in the 62nd minute as Boylan shrugged off the challenge of Josh Coulson before slotting home a through ball from Long.

Cambridge's afternoon went from bad to worse in the 87th minute when stand-in skipper Brian Saah was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Long.

Stevenage bookings: Boylan, Laird.

Cambridge bookings: Coulson, Saah, Reason.

Sent Off: Saah (87).

Ref: S Burt (Northampton).

Att: 3,406.