Stevenage saw off Salisbury as they bounced back from that defeat at Eastbourne with 3 points. The 2-0 win puts Boro into the top ten for the first time this season, but it was far from convincing against a Salisbury side lacking confidence. Graham Westley picked his strangest team of the season so far electing to drop Scott Laird, Gary Mills, Mitchell Cole and captain Ronnie Henry from the starting eleven. Mark Albrighton returned at centre half while Wilson and Anaclet were the two full backs. Andy Drury also made his first team return starting on the wide right. Steve Morison, who was a doubt in mid-week started the game as captain.

Boro started the better of the two sides and Steve Morison had a good chance early on, but found goalkeeper James Bittner in good form for the visitors. Moro had about 3 or 4 chances in the first half, but didn’t seem to have his finishing boots on as Boro looked to break the deadlock. Eddie Anaclet missed a sitter in the first half when he found himself unmarked in the area. Daryl McMahon also had an attempt from long range. Salisbury didn’t offer much going forward, but won a dubious penalty on the stroke of half time to give them a possible lead going into the break. Unfortunately for them Andrew Sandell missed the kick by putting the ball wide.

It was a game that if Boro played to their potential they could of won by far more than two. The Salisbury side looked as if it lacked confidence, although I was impressed by their midfielder Liam Feeney, who seemed to be a threat whenever he got on the ball. Boro finally took the lead when Mark Albrighton diverted Steve Morison’s attempt on goal past Bittner and in. I was hoping that this would spur on Boro, but instead they sat on their lead, while the visitors began to offer more going forward. Matt Tubbs and Rob Matthews came on to try and get them back into the game. That pressure nearly paid off as Matthews’ header nearly crept in, but hit the post. Boro countered and a long ball found Morison who finally finished the game off.

It wasn’t the convincing win I was hoping for, but it was 3 points which put us into the top ten for the first time this season. Boro have played better this season and not won, so winning the game was important today. Although we won the game it isn’t exactly the football that was promised last May by Graham Westley. A lot of the football played today was long ball stuff and not pleasing on the eye. Boro now have 2 weeks before their next Blue Square Premier game away at Woking and they will have to improve if they are to come home from Surrey with all 3 points.

A poll for who Boro fans think the player of the season so far is has been set up below.