FC Boro

Stevenage have 2 games in 3 days as they plan to kick-start their 2008/2009 campaign, beginning with a trip around the M25 to Ebbsfleet United. The club from Kent beat Torquay in mid-week and after winning the FA Trophy last season, look an outsider for promotion this season. In the games between the two sides last season, Boro emerged victorious on both occasions winning 1-0 at Stonebridge Road thanks to a Craig Dobson goal and 3-1 at Broadhall Way with the goals coming from Tyrone Berry, Ashley Westwood and Steve Morison.

Tomorrow’s game will be a tough trip for Boro as Ebbsfleet look to build on a good win at Torquay. Luke Moore and John Akinde scored the goals at Plainmoor and could prove a handful for the Stevenage defence. New signing Michael Gash could also line up against the worst defence in the Blue Square Premier so far. Stacy Long is Ebbsfleet’s playmaker and will have a good battle against Michael Bostwick if Westley decides to play the former Ebbsfleet player in midfield. Boro’s record against the “Fleet” is fairly impressive with an unbeaten record at Broadhall Way.

I expect Graham Westley will make a few changes to the team that drew with Weymouth last weekend. There are injury doubts over John Martin, Anthony Thomas, Lee Boylan and David Bridges while Steve Morison misses his last game of his 3 match suspension. Mitchell Cole could return to the Boro squad after returning to training in the week. At the beginning of pre-season it looked like Boro had too many strikers, but just Iyseden Christie and Calum Willock could be available for selection tomorrow.

Prediction: Ebbsfleet 2-1 Boro

Arguably the easier of the two games is on Monday, at home to Crawley Town. Steve Evans’ side have begun the campaign on 0 points for a change and have won 1 of their first 3 games. There have been plenty of new faces at the Broadfield Stadium this summer with players such as Danny Forrest, Adam Quinn and Simon Weatherstone joining the club. Crawley face a difficult game against Torquay at home on Saturday before making the trip to Hertfordshire.

Boro will be hoping for a win on Saturday to give them confidence going into the Crawley game. It’s expected that John Martin and David Bridges will still be missing for the visit of Crawley. However, Steve Morison will be back for the game and hoping to get off the mark for the season after being sent off on the opening day at Wrexham. Realistically, Boro can get 6 points from the two games. They are both winnable games and if Boro can find their rhythm then these two fixtures are ideal to get some points on the board.

Prediction: Boro 2-1 Crawley