FC Boro

Well, this game was supposed to be the game when Boro’s season kicked into action. Instead another poor defensive display and a lack of creativity in the final third led to Stevenage being beaten by newly promoted Eastbourne by 3 goals to 1. Graham Westley made 3 changes from the team that started against Wrexham on Saturday bringing in Boylan, Thomas and Christie for Morison, Cole and McMahon respectively. I didn’t quite understand why McMahon, arguably one of the better performers on Saturday was dropped in favour of Thomas.

Boro began the game well, but again didn’t really make a good chance out of the possession they had. Instead Eastbourne went up the other end and scored against the run of play on 12 minutes. Boro didn’t defend well from the throw-in and Pat Harding was allowed time and space to turn and shoot from 20 yards and give the South Coast side the lead. A really good finish from a player that impressed me tonight and caused Boro problems all night. That goal seemed to shock Boro and within 2 minutes Eastbourne had doubled their lead with Andy Atkin passing the ball home after good work down the right from Mo Harkin.

We didn’t seem to have any shape at all. Anaclet was coming over to the left, Drury was getting caught too far forward, while Bostwick looked uncomfortable at right back. I don’t understand Westley’s reasonings for playing Bostwick at right back and Drury in centre midfield. Drury is a winger and has played there his whole career. He looked out of place tonight and lost possession too many times in dangerous positions. I can only imagine Anaclet is not starting at right back at the moment because the manager doesn’t trust him to play there. Why sign him then? Our game improved when GW moved Bostwick into midfield and put Drury out wide with Anaclet going to right back.

Boro got a goal back through a well taken free-kick from Andy Drury. He chipped the ball into the top corner and gave Boro belief they could get back into the game. Half-time though came at the wrong time with Boro on top and Eastbourne looking to re-group. That they did at the break and they came back on and frustrated Stevenage in the opening stages of the second half. Eastbourne then got another goal, again against the run of play after Atkin was allowed 2 chances to fire past Bayes. Albrighton, again showing a lack of form at the back.

Boro then brought on McMahon for Christie and Willock for Albrighton as they tried to get the two goals needed to at least get a point out of the game, but it wasn’t to be as Boro again failed to create enough chances and Eastbourne in the end came away with a very comfortable victory. If there wasn’t any pressure on Graham Westley before the start of the season then there certainly is now.