Boro 1-1 Weymouth

Graham Westley and Stevenage Borough are still looking for their first win of the season after being held at home by a very “professional” Weymouth side managed by former Chelsea boss John Hollins. Changes were made to the team after Tuesday’s poor showing against Eastbourne with Luke Oliver, Daryl McMahon and Calum Willock coming into the side for Mark Albrighton, Lee Boylan and Iyseden Christie respectively. Weymouth, who had won both their previous games against Grays and Oxford, were confident of beating a Stevenage team low in confidence for the first time at Broadhall Way.

Boro began the game well and looked more balanced with Michael Bostwick in midfield alongside Gary Mills. Eddie Anaclet and Scott Laird were always looking to get forward and Calum Willock was holding the line well up front. Weymouth though also looked dangerous on the counter with Michael Malcolm and Chris McPhee providing the main threat for the Terras. The visitors had a chance early on when Ashley Bayes couldn’t hold on to a free-kick and Stuart Beavon somehow missed the rebound. Boro though reacted and both Willock and Bostwick went close before they did take the lead after 25 minutes. Scott Laird won the ball on the left hand side and drove into the Weymouth half before putting through Calum Willock who finished exquisitely to put Boro 1-0 up. It was a good finish from a striker who didn’t get much of a run out during pre-season.

The lead though was shortlived as a deflected shot from Malcolm flew over a stranded Bayes and looped into the net for 1-1. It was an unlucky goal for Boro to conceed, although Oliver had miscued a header to give Malcolm a chance to shoot. Boro, who had begun to show promise in the first half hour, then struggled to find their rhythm after the equaliser and the best chances they had to take the lead again were from two free-kicks taken by McMahon and Drury.

The second half was another poor display from Boro. There didn’t seem to be any urgency to score again and gradually began to lose their shape. I was also puzzled over the substitution of Anaclet. I thought he played pretty well yesterday and provided a threat going forward when we needed a goal. Bringing on Wilson in his place didn’t help Boro one bit as Bostwick who is a much better midfielder was moved again to right back. Another inept tactical decision by Westley.

At the moment we don’t seem to have a player that can link the midfield with the strikers like Adam Miller used to do. Mills and Bostwick are both defensive players and this showed yesterday as both Thomas and Willock were starved of service for much of the game. Boro didn’t create much at all in the second half. Anthony Thomas had a shot that was straight at the keeper while a Luke Oliver header late on went just wide. At the other end, Weymouth had half chances from Beavon and Coutts, but were just as un-creative as the hosts.

Overall, getting a draw isn’t the worst result for Boro considering the lack of both form and confidence in the side at the moment. However, the second half performance worried me a bit. The team has a full week off now until the next game away at Ebbsfleet United, who play on Monday against Torquay. Boro will need to improve on the last 3 performances if they are to get anything at Stonebridge Road.