Boro bounced back after defeat in midweek with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Kidderminster Harriers. It wasn’t the best game or performance, but Stevenage fought hard in difficult conditions to grind out the victory. Kidderminster were a shadow of the team that visited Broadhall Way last season, although they did start the game better than the hosts. Graham Westley made a few changes to the team that started against Ebbsfleet with Mark Roberts and Yemi Odubade missing out due to injury, or because a move to Peterborough has been set up for January? Michael Bostwick also missed the game because of suspension.
Kidderminster set up in a 4-5-1 formation, clearly looking to get a point. Damien Spencer and Chris McPhee were supporting Robbie Matthews, who played on his own up front. Gavin Caines was partnered by former Wolves trainee Martin Riley at the back. It was the visitors that looked more likely to take the lead early on and midfielder David McDermott went close when he ran at the Boro backline before firing over. Minutes later Damien Spencer had another chance for Kiddy when he shot from just outside the box, but hit the bar. Stevenage looked like they were still finding their feet after Tuesday’s defeat.
As the game went on, Boro began to get more dominant. Kidderminster rarely threatened Chris Day in the Boro goal and the midfield of Bridges and Murphy were breaking up any moves forward from Harriers. Stevenage created some chances of their own with Charlie Griffin missing a few opportunites including a glancing header that hit the post. Boro did get the breakthrough though before half-time when John Ashton flicked the ball into the net from a free-kick. I don’t think we particularly deserved to be in the lead at half-time as the away side had arguably the better chances to be ahead.
After the second half collapse on Tuesday night, I’m sure that GW and his staff would have told the players at half-time that the job wasn’t finished and it certainly looked that way when Mitchell Cole fired in the second goal on 47 minutes. David Bridges put a good ball through for Cole to volley home. Fair play to Mitchell Cole for his performance yesterday. I think he would admit himself that he hasn’t been on form this season and his commitment has been questioned, but he played well yesterday and took his goal superbly. Maybe he should give Griffin some lessons in how to finish?
The second goal seem to kill off any hope that Mark Yates and his side had of taking home a point back to Worcestershire. The second half was a bit of a scrappy affair with neither team making many clear cut chances. I don’t remember either keeper having to make a save after the Cole goal. Kiddy brought on Ryan Charles as they looked to push for an equaliser, but he was reduced to long range efforts which failed to trouble Day. GW sent on Peter Vincenti, Joel Byrom and Eddie Odhiambo late on as they secured another three points at home. Next up is Ebbsfleet, again, this time in the FA Trophy.




After the disappointment of losing against Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday night, Boro are back in action this weekend when
Monday morning saw Stevenage drawn a home tie against Ebbsfleet United in the 1st round proper of this season’s FA Trophy. Boro may be the current holders of the FA Trophy, but questions are being seriously raised whether it’s worth the club trying to win it again this year. Boro have won the Trophy in two of the last 3 seasons and were the first team to win a final at the newly rebuilt