In football terms Stevenage are pretty much a 'new' club having been formed in 1976 and after years in the non-league finally won promotion to League Two in 2010 after winning the Blue Square Premier League; they had won the league in 1996 but were denied promotion after their ground fell afoul of league regulations.
It is due to their brief history that the Blades and Boro have met infrequent since there formation and was only until 2011-12 season (when Sheffield United fell into League One) that the two teams finally locked horns in any professional competition. United lost this corresponding fixture in November 2011 by two goals to one on Bonfire Night before drawing 2-2 at the Lane whilst chasing automatic promotion. They had to settle for the Play-Offs and over two legs won 1-0 with that close range header from Chris Porter with only five minutes remaining of the match, they of course went to lose (again) in the final to Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town on penalties.
We continue our head to head with a series of brief match reports between the two teams...
5 November 2011 - Stevenage 2 Sheffield United 1
Stevenage extended their excellent run of form with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United courtesy of Scott Laird's late strike. Just eight minutes remained when Lawrie Wilson found Laird and he made no mistake from 12 yards out. Stevenage had the better of the first half and finally went in front three minutes before the interval. Craig Reid's corner was not cleared by the Blades and Mark Roberts drilled a shot past goalkeeper Steve Simonsen from just inside the area.
Richard Cresswell went close for the visitors before Stevenage replied with Jon Ashton seeing a well-struck shot superbly beaten away by Simonsen. Michael Bostwick then fired narrowly wide for the hosts in first-half stoppage-time. Stacy Long and Reid both missed good chances for Stevenage to extend their lead shortly after the restart and they made to pay with 21 minutes to go.
Blades substitute Ched Evans was perfectly placed to pounce on a loose ball just inside the box and he made no mistake with a well-struck equaliser. But Laird had the final word.
28 April 2012 - Sheffield United 2 Stevenage 2
Sheffield United came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Stevenage but it was not enough to see them reclaim second spot from arch-rivals Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls had climbed above the Blades in the npower League One table earlier in the day thanks to a 2-1 victory at Brentford. Goals from Joel Byrom and Scott Laird put the visitors in command before Richard Cresswell and Matt Lowton scored to set up a tense finish. The hosts threatened inside the first minute when Michael O'Halloran and Chris Porter both failed to make the most of a searching cross from Stephen Quinn.
Stevenage pressed with Luke Freeman putting a long-range effort just over and Robin Shroot firing narrowly wide after a good run. Another Freeman shot was deflected wide before Byrom opened the scoring in the 31st minute, guiding the ball past Steve Simonsen after meeting Patrick Agyemang's low cross. Laird put Stevenage further ahead, two minutes after the restart, drilling a low shot past Simonsen from about 20 yards out.
Substitute Cresswell's 63rd-minute header gave United hope and Matt Lowton equalised in the 85th minute after Harry Maguire's ball into the area was headed down into his path. But the Blades were unable to score a winner despite some late pressure.
11 May 2012 - Stevenage 0 Sheffield United 0
Shot-shy Sheffield United escaped with a goalless draw from the first leg of their npower League One play-off semi-final at Stevenage. Boro, looking for a third successive promotion having been in the Conference just two years ago, came agonisingly close to grabbing a vital lead when Craig Reid's shot hit the crossbar. But Danny Wilson's United, pipped by city rivals Wednesday to automatic promotion last weekend, should now be in the driving seat for Monday's second leg at Bramall Lane.
However, the Blades' record in the play-offs will not inspire much confidence, with five failures from five attempts, while they have not beaten Stevenage, who finished 17 points behind them, in three matches this season. And having recently lost top scorer Ched Evans to a jail sentence and James Beattie through suspension, they look desperately short of firepower. Chris Porter, who has not scored in the league this year, was on his own in attack but he barely had a sniff as Boro bossed the opening stages.
Midfielder Michael Bostwick cleverly weaved his way past a couple of challenges but his attempted curler was way off target, while lively former Arsenal youngster Luke Freeman also fired high and wide. And four minutes before the break the hosts were inches from going ahead, Reid's dipping 20-yard shot beating Blades goalkeeper Steve Simonsen but not the bar. The visitors were cheered on by their former player, Tottenham and England defender Kyle Walker, who made the short trip from north London to take his place in the away end.
And they responded to almost going behind by finally mustering their first attempts at goal. Stephen Quinn blazed over after his initial shot was blocked and Kevin McDonald fired wide in first-half stoppage time. United improved in the second half and Boro keeper Chris Day was eventually called into action after an hour, comfortably dealing with Lee Williamson's low drive from outside the area. Michael Flynn could have broken the deadlock 10 minutes later when he was put through by Matt Hill, but the winger elected to cut the ball back to no-one and the chance disappeared.
Blades substitute Richard Cresswell had a deflected shot saved by Day and a late header hacked clear. But neither side looked capable of making the breakthrough, and another nervy affair looks on the cards in three days' time with Wembley just 90 minutes away.
14 May 2012 - Sheffield United 1 Stevenage 0 (By: Sheffield Star)
Sheffield United are off to Wembley for the npower League One play-off final after Chris Porter's late header clinched a tense semi-final victory over Stevenage. It was just reward for a sustained spell of United pressure in a tense game. And a marvellous personal moment for the 28-year-old former Derby County man - it was his first goal in 17 matches. United, who were held 0-0 in the first leg in Hertfordshire on Friday, received a healthy vocal backing from the Lane faithful as they kicked off the crunch meeting and they could have had more to sing about on seven minutes when Porter's header from close in brought super two-handed save from goalie Chris Day, diving to his left.
Ryan Flynn then had a half-chance, but spooned his shot from just outside the penalty area over the target. Visiting defender Mark Roberts was lucky to avoid a booking with one clumsy challenge as United tried to penetrate Stevenage with a break through the middle. The Boro, who had the experience of being in a Play Off for third time in four seasons, concentrated on trying to break United's midfield rhythm. Stevenage defender Jon Ashton had to hook a clearance over his bar as United tried to rev things up. United, without eye-infection victim Richard Cresswell struggled to get behind the Boro defence though.
Lee Williamson summed it up with a shot well wide of goal. And it was no shock to anyone when both sides trooped in at the half-time whistle without a goal to show for their efforts. TV pundit Chris Kamara tweeted: "not the best game in the world but Stevenage defending well ' restricted Sheff U to one shot." Kevin McDonald was withdrawn through injury, replaced by Nick Montgomery. Flynn had great chance two minutes into the second session, but his right footer was scuffed and a defender blocked it's path before it could endanger Day. United could not put their stamp on proceedings, players were not getting in dangerous positions.
Yet on 54 minutes, that changed with a full-pelt Williamson directing a right wing cross just inches wide of the post. A long range effort from Flynn further upped the ante two minutes later- although it also arced wide of the same post. Stevenage then took their turn to threaten Luke Freeman cutting in from the left, jinking around his marker but firing tamely at Steve Simonsen. Minutes later Stephen Quinn had a chance outside the box, but lofted high and wide. As did Williamson, who belted a free kick well over on 74 minutes.
Scott Laird suddenly threatened to turn the tables, he smashed the ball from 22 yards goal-bound, but Simonsen did well to deflect it over. With nine minutes left the enterprising Matt Hill came up with a super long range drive, sadly just wide, as United turned the screw again. Yet with five minutes to go, 6ft 1ins Porter lost his marker and headed home from close range at the Kop end after a smart cross from Matt Lowton. The goal was enough to take United to Wembley - where they will play Huddersfield, if the Terriers see off MK Dons tomorrow. Town lead 2-0 from the first leg. A memorable goal to end a semi-final series which had badly needed some inspiration.
17 November 2012 - Sheffield United 4 Stevenage 1
Shaun Miller marked his first league start for Sheffield United with two goals in a 4-1 victory over promotion rivals Stevenage. Miller struck twice from close range in the second half after Boro skipper Mark Roberts nodded the visitors level, cancelling out Neill Collins' header. Chris Porter completed the scoring, getting ahead of his marker to score with another header. Both sides started well, with Michael Doyle shooting over the crossbar from the edge of the area and home goalkeeper George Long producing a good save to keep out Filipe Morais' header.
Collins opened the scoring after 19 minutes, heading in at the far post from Doyle's left-wing cross. But Stevenage equalised in the last minute of the first half when Morais' corner was met by the head of Roberts. Kevin McDonald and Ryan Flynn combined to set up Miller after 55 minutes before he grabbed his second goal with another close-range finish after the Boro backline failed to clear Flynn's cross. Visiting keeper Steve Arnold turned over a shot from Nick Blackman before Porter rounded off the scoring in the 87th minute, getting ahead of his marker to beat Arnold with another header.
16 March 2013 - Stevenage 4 Sheffield United 0
Sheffield United's promotion challenge took a slight stumble at the weekend with Dani Lopez netting a hat-trick against the Blades in Stevenage's epic four goal victory. The Broadway Stadium is turning into somewhat of a 'duck' ground for United, in our three visits in the past two years United have failed in all attempts to pick up maximum points and have scored just once. They had come into this fixture seven matches unbeaten and were looking to equal a club record of seven straight matches without conceding - that of course has gone out of the window.
Lopez had only recently been recalled from a loan spell at League Two side Barnet due to slim selection availability in attack due to injuries, and it turned out to be a shrewd move by the Boro after his treble put the home side into a three goal lead. He had began his career with Athletico Madrid and had played in the same development side as Chelsea (flop) and Spain forward Fernando Torres - scoring in the 41st, 50th and 64th minutes of the game as his strikes won Boro's only second game in ten matches.
Boro's opener and Lopez's first of the afternoon came shortly before the break after both sides had threatened each others goal; he turned centre-half Neill Collins inside the box before firing past keeper George Long - he then tried another but from 20 yards Long tipped over. Gavin Mahon, the former Queens Park Rangers and Watford midfielder was the power house for Boro and playing a good game, he was at the art of the second goal which came shortly after half-time and after Kitson had seen his header saved by Arnold; Mahon played a neat pass through the defence for Lopez to capitalize and finish.
There was action at the other end too, but United were thwarted, substitute Callum McFadzean went close with a head, as did Harry Maguire but it clearly wasn't to be the Blades day when Lopez - against the run of play fired home from the edge of the penalty area for his finale. Four minutes the nails were truly hammered in when Lucas Atkins made it four with his run and shot. Whilst United had faltered at the back they did make up for it at the other end but excellent keeping from Arnold, rather than poor strikes from the forwards proved the difference in keeping a clean sheet. Perhaps the visitors wouldn't have scored enough to drew the game had there 'good' opportunities sneaked in the goal, but would have made a high scoring and more entertaining game for the couple of thousand traveling supporters who despite at 4-0 were still in good spirit and enjoyable chanting.
21 December 2013 - Stevenage 0 Sheffield United
Sheffield United hit the woodwork twice has the Blades came home from Hertfordshire with a point following a 0-0 draw at Stevenage. For the teams involved this was a game were the victors could breathe a like comfort away from the relegation zone and whilst we expect Nigel Clough to steer us well away to safety come May a good league run would do nicely and hopefully propel the Red and White Wizards up the table even more. United did all they could at the Lamex Stadium except score but at the other end it was pretty much a holiday vacation for Long who was left with little to do without. The Blades had almost broke the deadlock inside the first five minutes when Aidy White latched onto Harry Mguire's switch over before unleashing a fierce shot on the angle which was parried by Day and onto the far post. Shaun Miller then saw his effort deflected out for a corner.
McGinn, who returned to the starting line up after missing the previous weeks win at home to Swindon through injury was the catalyst for forging United's third attack when he forced the opposition into a foul and from the re-take was pushed to the D where full-back McMahon slammed the ball over the bar. Morais was yellow carded for his actions after 13 minutes when he fouled McMahon and was lucky to escape a red soon after when he deliberately up-heeded White - pushing him to the floor. His intent was has much admitted when Wesley the Stevenage boss withdrew the former Chelsea winger after 23 minutes, worried that his team would be reduced to 10 men.
Prior to Morais exit Baxter curled a free-kick and in the strong wind almost fooled Day and Collins forced the keeper into a scrambled clearance. The former Leeds and Sunderland centre-half went close on 30 minutes has United continued to push their opponents - this time he headed Baxter's corner wide. At the other end the hosts had rare opportunities in front of goal with Long on form to keep them out; Freeman's shot cannoned off Hill and looked like a certain goal until the Blades stopper was able to dart to his line and clear to safety in a hearts in mouths moment.
White fired across goal without anyone to finish and during the closing stages of the first half Burrows hit wide. United had enjoyed much of the wintery conditions in the first 45 minutes of play but were battling against the blustery cold wind in the second with the elements growing worse during the interval. This didn't put United off and dominated the second half proceedings has they did the first. Within a minute gone Doyle and Hill combined to feed Baxter who controlled brilliantly before he hit the woodwork with his curling shot and Miller was inches away from tucking home the rebound.
Porter's excellent touch forced another opening for Baxter but his was caught off balance and poked wide whilst Stevenage slowly edged their way into the game, Long cleared Zoko's effort with little more than 15 minutes remaining before United made their first change of the afternoon with Murphy replacing White. Chorley was booked for tripping Baxter but despite both sides attempting to get maximum points from the game neither side could overcome the blustery conditions and were forced to settle for a point; 0-0 it stayed.
RESULTS
| Date | Match | Result | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 Nov 2011 | Stevenage v Sheffield United | L | 2-1 | League One |
| 28 Apr 2012 | Sheffield United v Stevenage | D | 2-2 | League One |
| 11 May 2012 | Stevenage v Sheffield United | D | 0-0 | League One Play-Offs |
| 14 May 2012 | Sheffield United v Stevenage | W | 1-0 | League One Play-Offs |
| 17 Nov 2012 | Sheffield United v Stevenage | W | 4-1 | League One |
| 16 Mar 2013 | Stevenage v Sheffield United | L | 4-0 | League One |
| 21 Dec 2013 | Stevenage v Sheffield United | D | 0-0 | League One |
| 18 Apr 2014 | Sheffield United v Stevenage |
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League One |