The first in a weekly look back at Boro through the years

This week in 1989...

...Stevenage Borough lost to Cambridge City in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round, 5-3.

Boro took an early lead in the seventh minute when Robbie O’Keefe’s cross was headed in by Graham Cox, but Cox’s joy soon turned to despair as moments later he turned the ball into his own net after goalkeeper Mark Klimek had missed a cross.

City went in front just before the break when Grogan drove home after a corner had not been cleared properly, while at half time Borough introduced Dave Smith and looked more forceful in the second period.

Gary Roberts sent O’Keefe clear but he was pulled down by keeper Murray. Cox hit the net for the third time, converting the penalty to make it 2-2.

However bad marking let in Grogan and Fallon to put City 4-2 up and the game seemingly out of Borough’s reach.

Yet again the hosts came back and O’Keefe, set up by Roberts, made it 4-3, but any hopes Borough had of forcing a replay were dashed when Klimek fed Bambrick and when the full-back tried to return the ball, he rolled it wide of his keeper to gift City their fifth to put the result beyond doubt.

Att: 383

Match report: Gazette

Boro finished the 1989-90 season fourth in Isthmian League Division Two North, as they had done the previous year. At the end of that season manager Brian Williams left and Paul Fairclough, pictured, took over after moving from neighbours Hertford.