FC Boro

The Stevenage Borough Blog

Boro defeat Chester in lacklustre display

Posted by sgmboro on 25/11/2009

It wasn’t the best match you will ever see down at Broadhall Way, but we did enough to secure the three points against a poor Chester side. Westley named a similar team to what started on Saturday against Forest Green, with Mitchell Cole, David Bridges and Charlie Griffin again left out. Chester named Nick Chadwick up front alongside former Cambridge United striker Mark Beesley. Former Doncaster defender Tim Ryan captained the side.

The first half was a fairly boring spectacle. Both sides didn’t create much going forward, although I felt Boro played some nice stuff in the first half without ever looking threatening going forward. The pace of Yemi Odubade on the flanks was an outlet the team tried to exploit, but to Chester’s credit they handled him quite well this evening. Chris Beardsley again was disappointing up front. He didn’t seem to win much in the air and lost possession of the ball too often. Ryan had him in his pocket for the majority of the match.

It was the visitors who had the first serious effort on goal, when Sean Kelly connected to a free-kick, but his effort hit the post and was cleared away. It would of been harsh on Boro, who were looking comfortable up until then. The two teams continued to cancel each other out as the half went on, but Boro got the decisive opening goal when Yemi Odubade volleyed in from 10 yards. It was a good finish from the former Oxford man, who has impressed in recent weeks. For me, Yemi was man of the match tonight because of his work rate alone. He chased everything down and got back to defend when he had to. His goal was his reward for a good night’s work.

Graham Westley made one of the strangest tactical decisions at half time. Lee Boylan was replaced by John Ashton. Ashton moved to right back while Ronnie Henry came in centre midfield. I didn’t understand the decision at all as just the one change had totally disrupted the Stevenage side. There were only about 4 players on the field in the same position as they started. Chester couldn’t take advantage of this though and the second half was much like the first. Chester didn’t really ever threaten Chris Day’s goal and Boro didn’t create many chances. The game was fairly scrappy and the wet and windy weather wasn’t helping the standard of football either.

David Bridges came on after an hour to replace Darren Murphy, who again was stupidly booked earlier in the half. Murphy has got to get these silly bookings out of his game sooner rather than later. I don’t mind him as a player because I think he gives the midfield a more physical presence which is needed in some games. Bridges came on and within 5 minutes Boro had doubled their lead. Mark Roberts finished well after the visitors had failed to clear Andy Drury’s corner. Game over.

The game petered out after Roberts’ goal and Boro went on to win the game with relative ease.  It’s a good win especially as Oxford did what we did at the weekend and beat Forest Green at The New Lawn. 5 points remains the gap, with the leaders in the FA Cup this coming weekend. If we beat Salisbury we will go to within 2 points of Wilder’s side, although they will have the game in hand. Boro’s win tonight also puts us now 4 points clear of 3rd place York who have played 1 game more than ourselves and with Kettering being beaten at home again tonight, they are now 6 points away from us.

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Chester Preview

Posted by sgmboro on 23/11/2009

Tomorrow night see’s the league’s bottom club, Chester City visit Broadhall Way for the first time since the opening day of the 2003/2004 season. Chester won the Conference that season after finishing 1 point clear of Hereford United, who were arguably the better side. Stevenage, with Westley at the helm, finished in 8th position, but took 4 points off the eventual champions which included a 2-1 win at the Deva Stadium. More shockingly, Rocky Baptiste scored in that game for Boro.

City have had many problems since their promotion back to the football league and they were finally relegated back to the non league after going into administration. City’s problems continued in the summer when they were docked another 10 points before a ball was even kicked ahead of their return to the Conference. The future of the club has been in the balance for a while, but things finally look to be sorting themselves out. After Mark Wright left the club again during the summer, the experienced Mick Wadsworth, who once applied for the Boro job, took charge, but soon left after a dismal start to the campaign. Former Forest Green manager Jim Harvey is now in charge of City and has another relegation battle to survive.

The two sides have already met this season. Boro ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a early Michael Bostwick goal. In fact, the match at the Deva was similar to the game on Saturday against Forest Green. Boro were the dominant force for most of the game, but couldn’t extend on their 1 goal. Chester have lost their last 3 games in the league including Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at home to Altrincham. Their last win was away against Grays when Nick Chadwick’s brace helped the Cheshire side to victory. Boro are unbeaten in their last 15 league games and have only been beaten once this season by leaders Oxford.

Graham Westley must decide whether to recall Charlie Griffin to the starting 11 after he missed Saturday’s game due to illness. Lee Boylan scored in that game and must be confident of retaining his place. It will also be interesting to see whether GW brings back Mitchell Cole. I don’t think Cole has been that effective this season and he was dropped for the Forest Green game. Yemi is in good form and Chris Beardsley had a solid game at the weekend so I think the manager may stick with the same front 3. Chester boss Jim Harvey slammed his players ‘not good enough’ after the weekend’s defeat so he could make a few changes.

“The truth is some of the boys in there are not good enough. As a group of players they are going to find it really difficult this year.” Harvey on Chester this season

On paper it looks like a home banker and I think with Chester’s recent record and the amount of goals they’ve conceded recently, I’d be very surprised if we didn’t win the game comfortably. City have conceded 9 goals in their last 3 games and are low in confidence. The long journey down to Hertfordshire on a Tuesday night won’t make the game any more easier for the visitors. We bounced back well on Saturday against FGR, but still need to be more clinical in front of goal. Sooner or later we’re going to be caught out for not killing teams off, so tomorrow night is a perfect opportunity to put that right.

Stevenage Squad

Ashley Bayes, Chris Day, Scott Laird, Ronnie Henry, Jon Ashton, Mark Roberts, Mark Albrighton, Eddie Odhiambo, Michael Bostwick, Stacy Long, David Bridges, Darren Murphy, Andy Drury, Joel Byrom, Mitchell Cole, Yemi Odubade, Lee Boylan, Charlie Griffin, Chris Beardsley, Peter Vincenti

Prediction: Boro 3-1 Chester City

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Boro bounce back at Forest Green

Posted by sgmboro on 22/11/2009

After the disappointment of going out of the FA Cup against Port Vale in midweek, Stevenage bounced back with a good, solid win over Forest Green Rovers. Westley’s side began the game 5 points adrift of leaders Oxford United at the top of the Blue Square Premier table and with them beating Barrow at the Kassam Stadium, the 3 points were even more important as Boro try to keep at pace with Oxford in the run up to Christmas.

Stevenage made a few changes to their starting 11 with Mitchell Cole, Charlie Griffin, Jon Ashton and David Bridges all absent. Cole went onto the bench, while both Griffin and Bridges didn’t travel. In came Lee Boylan, who returned from injury, Darren Murphy, Joel Byrom and Chris Beardsley. Forest Green left new loanee Ben Joyce on the bench. Sean Rigg started his last game for the club before his loan deal expires.  The FA Cup hero from the last round against Mansfield, Conal Platt did start the game.

Boro went in front after just 7 minutes thanks to a clinical Lee Boylan finish. Chris Beardsley worked his way down the right flank before crossing for Boylan to head home. Boro have missed Boylan’s finishing ability while he’s been out injured. I think he would have made the difference had he played in any of the 2 games against Port Vale in the FA Cup. We were punished in that tie, due to not being clinical enough in front of goal. Unfortunately Charlie Griffin was guilty of many of them chances and while I think he’s been good against the weaker teams like Gateshead and Hayes & Yeading, he needs to take his chances in the ‘bigger’ games too.

Boro dominated the game for long spells and had chances to double their lead. Both Yemi Odubade and Chris Beardsley had efforts which missed the target. The home side did have a chance to equalise when Conal Platt’s free-kick came back off the post. Platt impressed again and is fastly becoming one of most feared attackers outside the football league. Boro went in at half time 1-0 up, but maybe should have been more in front.

Forest Green made two changes at the beginning of the second half as they tried to push for an equaliser. On came the experienced Paul Stonehouse and Oli Thorne. They hardly made a difference to FGR’s performance as Boro again dominated possession. It was the Hertfordshire side that had the first chance of the second half when Chris Beardsley’s header from a Drury free-kick hit the post. Ronnie Henry did the same minutes later when his long range effort hit the same post that Conal Platt had hit earlier with a free-kick. The conditions worsened late on and the game became more and more scrappy before the referee called an end to the procedings with Boro going home happy.

“You’ve got to win 1-0 sometimes, we had a good clean sheet and we looked menacing enough going forward to have won it more easily.” Westley on beating Forest Green

The conditions meant that it was never going to be a game where the football was of the highest quality, but in the end we won the game and got another vital 3 points away from home. As Westley said after the match, sometimes you need that toughness to win ‘ugly’. Boro didn’t really do that as they had a lot of opportunities to win by a more comfortable margin, but they were solid at the back and restricted the home side to minimal chances. More of the same will be needed next Saturday when they travel down to Salisbury, but up first is Chester City at home and we still have an unbeaten record in the league to keep going.

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Boro knocked out the Cup

Posted by sgmboro on 18/11/2009

If you missed the first game against Port Vale, well tonight was more or less the same, but without the dramatic injury time equaliser. Boro again were the better side for the majority of the game, but failed to convert their chances and ended up losing the game due to an error by captain Mark Roberts. The game also saw the Hertfordshire side lose their unbeaten home record which had stretched back to November last year when Wrexham won 2-1 at Broadhall Way.

Westley stuck with the same side that started at Vale Park. Ronnie Henry recovered from a knock he picked up on Saturday and started at right back. Drury was allowed space to roam while Yemi partnered Griffin in attack. Port Vale had a bit of a defensive crisis and moved midfielder Anthony Griffith to right back while bringing in Lee Collins to partner John McCombe. Goalscorer from the first game, Adam Yates was on the bench.

Boro began the game with a high tempo and got at Port Vale straight from the kick-off. Yemi Odubade had the first chance when he outpaced one of their centre halves and had a shot which was tipped over by Martin. Boro had shown the intent that they were going to attack from the off. Port Vale looked weak at the back and you felt Stevenage could exploit that at any time. The pace of Yemi was a threat all evening, but Griffin struggled in the air and Cole was non existant for most of the game. Boro didn’t make their possession count and the visitors began to find their way into the game.

After a first 10-15 minutes of constant Stevenage pressure, Vale nearly went ahead when Lewis Haldane was put through, but the former Bristol Rovers frontman failed to trouble Day. Boro went up the other end, but Griffin’s shot went wide. The game was beginning to even itself out when Vale scored. A huge mistake from Roberts allowed Lewis Dodds to break clear. His inital shot was saved, but he headed in the rebound to give Micky Adams’ side the lead. Boro didn’t deserve to be 1-0 down, but the league side had taken their chance, while Boro hadn’t.

At the beginning of the second half, GW brought on Darren Murphy to replace John Ashton and moved Michael Bostwick back to defence. The change seemed to work as Boro dictated more of the game in the second half. Charlie Griffin had another effort go wide, before Boro missed their best chance of the game. Yemi did well to beat his man and then put a superb through ball to Cole who took it on, but hit the post with his shot. I thought it was in and so did most of the BHW crowd. It summed up Boro’s night really. They played well and created chances, but were not clinical enough in front of goal. That was Cole’s contribution for the night!

Boro continued to attack and made more half chances, but didn’t ever really test the Vale keeper. At the other end, Vale began to rely more on the counter attack with the pacy Haldane troubling Henry often. I hate Lewis Haldane. I hated him at Oxford and I hate him more now. His attitude is a joke. He timewasted all night tonight and then to sum it all he swore at the Boro fans late on. No need for that and you would expect better from a ‘professional’!

“It’s a fantastic achievement by the lads and we have a great spirit in the camp. Everyone is playing their part – even the ones who didn’t perform today. They were here. We had a lot of players playing out of position really and we showed a lot of character. I’m really proud of them.” Sums up Port Vale really…

As the game went on, I just felt that Boro weren’t going to get that goal they deserved. Although they dominated the second period, they didn’t ever look like troubling Martin and he barely had a save to make all evening. Vale played out the rest of the game and got their win. You could tell how relieved they were after because of their celebrations. They acted as if they had just won the Cup, not beaten a non league side in a first round replay! Overall, a frustrating night, again due to our lack of quality in the final third. It’s good hitting 4 & 5 against the likes of Hayes & Yeading and Gateshead, but we need to improve our finishing against the top sides if we are to push on for promotion this season.

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Boro ready for Vale test

Posted by sgmboro on 16/11/2009

Broadhall WayIf the Boro players weren’t already up for the FA Cup first round replay against Port Vale tomorrow night, they will be now after Vale captain Tommy Fraser’s stinging attack on the Conference side. League 2 Port Vale were outplayed by the Hertfordshire club when they visited 9 days ago. Boro were unlucky not to win the game in the original tie, but missed several chances and had to settle for another chance to beat their League opponents. Tomorrow night is that chance and Stevenage will be chomping at the bit to beat Micky Adams’ side and earn a home tie against Huddersfield Town in the second round.

Stevenage are the form team going into the replay. After extending their unbeaten home record to 27 games after beating Gateshead 5-3 in a thrilling encounter at Broadhall Way, Boro are now just 5 points behind leaders Oxford United and have not lost in all competitions since late August. Port Vale on the other hand were beaten at home on Saturday by Rotherham. It was Vale’s first defeat in 6 league games. Boro seem to have got Vale at the right time. Since outplaying them in the Cup, they have been beaten in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy by Bradford and by Rotherham in the league. Key players like Prosser and Fraser are also going to be missing for the replay due to suspension.

Ronnie Henry is a doubt for Boro after he came off on Saturday with a knock, so it’s likely that Eddie Odhiambo will come in to replace him at right back. If Henry is passed fit, then I expect the same team as what started at Vale Park to play again here. The visitors have a bit of a defensive crisis. They are of course without their captain Fraser and fellow defender Gareth Owen. Luke Prosser, who came in for Owen on Saturday, will also be missing as he is now suspended after being sent off in that game. Vale will also be without striker Jamie Guy after the club terminated his loan deal with Colchester United.

I think if Boro perform anywhere near like they did in the first game they will progress into the next round of the FA Cup. Westley has said in the Comet this week that they need to improve on that performance, but to be honest there wasn’t much wrong with it apart from the finishing. We had a lot of opportunities in the first game to score goals and we can’t expect to create the same amount tomorrow night. Vale are going to know more about us and will not be taking us lightly, which I felt they did in the first game. We need to be clinical when we get a chance and defend like we did up there.

The game is definately there for the taking and in a way I think we can be classed as the favourites. We are at home, where we have an outstanding record and are in good form at the moment. Port Vale are going through a bit of a sticky patch and are without quite a few first teamers for the trip to BHW. Also they’ll now be even more of an edge to the game after Tommy Fraser’s comments to the media and I think we’ll want it more than them. Boro have something to prove tomorrow night. Let’s get behind them when they do it!

Stevenage Squad

Ashley Bayes, Chris Day, Scott Laird, Ronnie Henry (+), Jon Ashton, Mark Roberts, Mark Albrighton, Eddie Odhiambo, Michael Bostwick, Stacy Long, David Bridges, Darren Murphy, Andy Drury, Joel Byrom, Mitchell Cole, Yemi Odubade, Lee Boylan, Charlie Griffin, Chris Beardsley, Peter Vincenti 

Prediction: Boro 2-1 Port Vale

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8 Goal Thriller At The Lamex

Posted by lopo1 on 14/11/2009

Boro continued their fantastic unbeaten home run after a 5-3 victory over Gateshead this afternoon. In wet and windy conditions both teams struggled to really get hold of the game and kicking against the wind certainly seemed to affect Boro at times during the first half.

It was a rare opportunity for Graham Westley to name the same team as last Saturday after an impressive performance against Port Vale. This meant Andy Drury played in his free role position as well as playing a rare consecutive game. Despite coming off against Vale last week Scott Laird recovered from injury to play also.

Gateshead had several names Boro fans may remember such as former Burton & Rushden striker Daryl Clare, former Sunderland defender Darren Williams and former Newcastle trainee Phil Cave.

Charlie Griffin had Boro’s first chance of the game after Mitchell Cole latched onto a cross field pass to deliver a fantastic cross which Griffin couldn’t quite get on the end of. The difficult conditions and an FA Cup replay to look forward to on Tuesday seemed to affect Boro from hitting any real stride and in the end it took an own goal from Charlie Griffin to really wake up Graham Westley’s team.

Boro to their credit and a slight blunder by the Gateshead centre half James Curtis were gifted the equaliser as the defender headed his back pass too short and Griffin lifted the ball smartly over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. There seemed to be some new belief in the ranks leading up to half time after another good run from Mitchell Cole his shot was saved from keeper Farman but Cole’s rebound fell to Yemi Odubade who smashed the ball into the roof of the net to give Boro the lead, finally. Boro’s third was a fairly sloppy goal to concede from Gateshead’s part as Scott Laird’s cross found Charlie Griffin’s head and the ball was glanced just over the line before the Gateshead defender made sure as he tried to clear off the line.

The conditions improved slightly after the break however the wind was now in Boro’s favour as it continued to blow. In the second half Boro replaced Ronnie Henry with Eddie Odhiambo after the former Boro captain seemed to have picked up a knock and Chris Beardsley replaced Andy Drury to freshen things up a little.  At 3-1 you felt Stevenage were never going to lose the game, but as it turned out that it wasn’t going to be as easy as we all thought. Boro did have the better of the chances during the second half as Bostwick and Cole both missed half chances. With a 2 goal cushion Gateshead were gifted a lifeline as Daryl Clare scored from close range to make it 3-2 with 20 minutes still to go. Clare is known for scoring goals wherever he has been and showed today without playing too well he was still able to score goals.

Boro pushed again to try and restore the 2 goal lead and they were able to do so as they were given a free kick 25 yards out which Cole and Griffin showed interest in. Griffin shot low and hard and was fortunate that the wall jumped over the ball and it fired into the bottom corner past Farman in the Gateshead goal. Griffin’s second hat trick of the season and 10 goals now for the season for a player who has at times been criticized. Peter Vincenti was brought on to replace Yemi Odubade and Westley again chose to play him right wing which baffled me when they had Stacey Long raring to go on the bench who may of suited that position a bit more comfortably.

Surely now the game was over! However, Gateshead had other ideas and were given a free kick of their own which was fired straight at Day who could only save to Daryl Clare who poked the ball home to give Gateshead more belief however sloppy defending again from set pieces could of cost us dearly. The game was decided deep into injury time as Boro saved the best til last when Michael Bostwick hammered a long distance shot into the top corner to put the game beyond any doubt.

Overall a great game for the neutrals and those attending Boro for the first time. A result mostly down to the conditions. It also showed that when we turn it on we are able to score goals, however making sure we do not concede sloppy goals is key for tough upcoming games starting on Tuesday night against Port Vale.

Lopo

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Gateshead Preview

Posted by sgmboro on 13/11/2009

It’s back to league action this weekend as Gateshead make the long journey south to play Stevenage in a fixture which was last played in 1998 with the ‘Tynesiders’ winning the game 2-1 at the International Stadium. Boro though won the reverse fixture earlier that season 6-1, so I doubt the Gateshead fans have that fond of memories of Hertfordshire. The 1997/1998 campaign stands out as the season where Boro held the then ’mighty’ Newcastle United in the FA Cup. Funnily enough a FA Trophy fixture was played against Gateshead between them two ties against Newcastle and nearly 12 years later Gateshead are the opposition again between the two games against Port Vale as Boro try to complete another FA Cup giantkilling next Tuesday night.

Last time out in the Blue Square Premier, Graham Westley’s side picked up a useful point away at Kettering, although they were unlucky not to take all 3 points after a good performance at Rockingham Road. Last weekend’s performance against Port Vale was arguably Boro’s best since the very finest days of the Mark Stimson era. Stevenage knocked the ball about well and played Vale off the park for the majority of the game. However, missed chances cost Boro and they had to settle for a replay back at Broadhall Way. Boro are in form and cockyness confidence is high at the moment.

Gateshead have had a tough start back in the top flight of non-league football. They currently sit in 20th place in the BSP table, but have improved in recent weeks. Ian Bogie’s side have won 2 of their last 3 BSP games and held League 1 Brentford in the FA Cup a week ago. It’s not going to be an easy game. The ‘Tynesiders’ have also been given a boost this week as in form forward Peter Winn has signed an extension to his loan deal while Blackburn midfielder Andy Howarth has also joined the club on loan.

Lee Boylan could feature in the Boro line up after he returned to training this week after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The team has missed his clinical touch in front of goal against both Kettering and Port Vale so his return could be the news GW wanted before the Cup replay on Tuesday night against Port Vale. Darren Murphy could also be back in contention, but will have a lot of work to do if he is to take either Bostwick or Bridges’ place in the current team. Both were superb at Vale Park last weekend. Scott Laird is a doubt after he hobbled off in the second half against Vale. If Laird recovers in time then I would go with the same team again.

On paper it should be a home win, but it’s one of those tricky fixtures that Boro haven’t been too good at getting all the points from so far this season. Games against Grays and Altrincham come to mind, but if we play anywhere near like we played last weekend then we should see a comfortable victory. Gateshead’s away form is pretty poor with just the two wins this season, but they did beat an in form Salisbury side in their last league game. Although I think Gateshead are getting into their stride I think we’ll be too strong for them and will win the game.

Stevenage Squad

Ashley Bayes, Chris Day, Scott Laird, Ronnie Henry, Jon Ashton, Mark Roberts, Mark Albrighton, Eddie Odhiambo, Michael Bostwick, Stacy Long, David Bridges, Darren Murphy, Andy Drury, Joel Byrom, Mitchell Cole, Yemi Odubade, Lee Boylan, Charlie Griffin, Chris Beardsley, Peter Vincenti

Prediction: Boro 2-1 Gateshead

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Cup replay to be streamed on the FA.com

Posted by sgmboro on 11/11/2009

Port Vale’s trip to Broadhall Way for their 1st round replay against Boro next Tuesday will be streamed live on the FA website. It’s great news for the club as they are now due to receive £33,750 for the game being broadcasted live, even though it isn’t on TV. It’s an unexpected bonus for Phil Wallace and the club, who after losing the Setanta TV money in the summer have now received this income as well as part of the £1m the Premier League gave to the Conference earlier in the season. Boro will also receive a further £18,000 if they win the replay against Micky Adams’ side and must be in with a shout of getting their next round tie televised too with highflying Huddersfield awaiting the victors.

The extra income gained may help go towards an increased playing budget in the new year. It has been well documented that Stevenage are at their limit currently and have to move players out in order to bring fresh faces in. This extra bit of cash may enable GW to bring a couple of loan players in January, without having to move anyone out. It’s a shame that the news of the extra money has come when it has considering Westley lost one of his loan targets in Michael Brough just last week due to being ‘outbidded’ by Mansfield.

stadium:mkWith nothing else to do last night, I decided to pop over to watch the MK Dons v Northampton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Although MK impressed me in the first half, the game overall was quite poor and Northampton in particular looked terrible. After seeing both Port Vale and Northampton in the last few days I can safely say that if we do go up to League 2, we won’t come down.

MK ended up winning the game 3-1 with all of their goals coming in the first 30 mins. Unfortunately Boro old boy Jude Stirling is injured so he didn’t make an appearance. How he’s still playing at that level I don’t know! Although the stadium:mk is impressive, I’m quite glad we have Broadhall Way. Our ground just has so much more of an atmosphere on matchday and even though there were nearly 9,000 there last night, it could of easily been mistaken for a reserve fixture.

Away from the club former Boro midfielder Adam Miller has left Mark Stimson’s Gillingham to join League 2 Dagenham & Redbridge on loan for a month. Miller has fallen out of favour at Priestfield with Danny Jackman and another ex Boro midfielder, Stuart Lewis being preferred. I never really rated Miller when he was here. He was too hit or miss, although when he played well, he was a class above. What I really didn’t like about him though was his attitude. He thought he was far better than he actually was and the way he treated the club when he left was nothing short of a disgrace.

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