Conference runners up, Hereford United, were knocked out of the play offs last night at Edgar Street by a physical Stevenage Borough side. As predicted it was a closely contested game and it saw the visitors come with an obvious game plan, which payed off. United, once again, failed to make home advantage count as they were spurred on by a following of around 6,000 and Stevenage collected their second victory at Edgar Street this season.
Danny Carey-Betram, scorer of the Hereford first leg goal, was handed a start at the expense of Lee Mills as he failed to recover from a ankle injury sustained at Broadhall Way. Graham Hyde missed the first leg through illness but started in place of Jamie Pitman and the other change for the hosts was Danny Williams in for Simon Travis. Boro made one change with Jon Nurse dropping to the bench.
Hereford started the game well and had by far the best of the first half. They would have perhaps been disapointed at not being in the lead at the break. Adam Stansfield, a threat throughout, won the ball down the left flank early on and found Rob Purdie fiftheen yards out but his shot was blocked. Dannie Bulman forced Craig Mawson into a good first save, as the stopper parried away the shot from twelve yards. Stansfield again won the ball down the flank and centred, this time for Carey-Bertram, but his tame shot was easy for Alan Julian.
Michael Warner volleyed a cross-come-shot from the right which provided a nervy moment for many as the ball rebounded off the frame of the goal. Ryan Green's powerful run into the penalty area was followed by a flick on to Purdie but his low effort was tipped away well by Julian; it fell to Stansfield and he forced another good save from Julian but was adjudged to be offside at the beginning of a good spell for Hereford. Stansfield got to the byeline moments later and centered the ball but it went across the goal face before falling to Stanley but he was denied by a good save. The ball was parried away and half cleared, before finding its way back to Stanley twenty yards out and his low drive was turned behind for a corner.
Mark Robinson went close with curling free kick from twenty five yards but it whistled wide of the far post. Stansfield got the better of Barry Laker in the air just before half time and then hit a first time shot that flew inches over the bar.
Stevenage appeared to change their approach from the start of the second half as they became much more physical and tough in the challenge. Anthony Elding was soon booked for an off the ball incident with Andy Tretton, but Tretton himself got carded moments after as he clattered Elding back. Jason Goodlife, exceptional for Stevenage, was booked for taking out Stansfield and later on in the half Green was booked for United and Nurse, on as a sub, was too.
Tretton had a good header at goal but Julian saved easily before Hereford had a massive penalty shout waved away. Carey-Bertram broke down the right and found the run of Stansfield towards the byeline. He crossed and the ball hit a defenders arm but referee G. Sutton waved it away. D Williams fired over after a poor clearance from Elding before disaster struck for Hereford.
Stevenage had United under pressure with three consecutive corners and a minor blip from Hyde allowed Elding the time to get a vital shot away. Hyde turned his back as he and Purdie covered the short corner and while he was facing away the ball was knocked to Elding. His fierce shot was pushed onto the bar by Mawson, leaving him stranded, as Dino Maamria headed in from close range after sixty eight minutes.
Hereford had no reply for this and looked deflated having conceded. D Williams was replaced by Leroy Williams as Graham Turner switched to three in attack but it was Boro who made the only other real chance with Elding's header being saved by Mawson.
The final whistle blew and the Meadow End stood still, in silence. Along with the rest of the home fans in a crowd of 6,862 they were unable to quite believe it had happened again. But Hereford United will pick themselves up from this, and any other blows to come in the form of players leaving this summer, and will be looking to mount yet another championship challenge next season.
HUFC Team: Mawson, Green, Mkandawire, Tretton, Robinson, Purdie, Hyde, Stanley, D Williams, Stansfield, Carey-Bertram. Subs: James, Scott, Pitman, Travis, L Williams.
SBFC Team: Julian, Warner, Goodliffe, Henry, Laker, Brady, Maamria, Bulman, Gregory, Elding, Stamp: Subs: Boyd, Nurse, Westhead, Quinn, Hocking.