The Bulls go into Saturdays clash looking to shatter Stevenage's 100% home record and set their own season on track after a shaky start. The Hertfordshire outfit have so far beaten Halifax, Tamworth, and Altrincham at home this season, but now face a Hereford side that is unbeaten at Broadhall Way for three seasons - winning the last three league encounters there without conceding a goal, and drawing 1-1 in the play-off match last season. Only two players remain from the starting XI's from the last Bulls defeat at Boro - the respective current captains and central defenders Tony James and Jason Goodliffe.
Hereford will benefit from having a free midweek to help heal minor knocks to several players. Both Alex Jeannin and Jon Brady limped out of Saturday's draw with Altrincham and will need time to recover, and neither Tamika Mkandawire nor Guy Ipoua were deemed fit enough after missing the Tamworth game. Jamie Pitman's surprise appearance on the bench on Saturday was encouraging, but it is likely to be too early for him to be considered for a starting berth. Two players definitely missing will be two full backs - the suspended Ryan Green and ex-Stevenage player Simon Travis, but Graham Turner will be pleased by the performance on Saturday of Rob Purdie in the full back role and will likely continue with him in what is an unfamilar position for the midfielder who has struggled to recapture his form of two years ago recently. Turner will probably retain the bulk of the starting XI barring injuries, but may look to recall top scorer Ipoua if fit after Saturdays blank scoreline.
Last Weeks Team: Brown, Purdie, Jeannin, Beckwith, James, Blewitt, Ferrell, Stanley, Brady, Carey-Bertram, Stansfield.
Stevenage, who have won three on the trot, struggled to finish off Halifax in their last match and were lucky to retain all three points. They currently sit third in the Conference, two points ahead of the Bulls. Boro go into the game with two players suspended with both Captain Jason Goodliffe and Dino Maamria serving bans. Ex-Bull Danny Williams has been a used substitute in the last two games, scoring from a free-kick with his first touch against Crawley.
Last Weeks Team: Julian, Warner, Hocking, Henry, Gregory, Nurse, Quinn, Bulman, Boyd, Elding, Stamp.