FC Boro

It may seem all doom and gloom for the play-off dream now Boro have finally lost their 24 match unbeaten run in all competitions, but with 6 games left there is still a lot to play for in the Blue Square Premier. Graham Westley’s side were beaten 4-2 at Aggborough by fellow rivals Kidderminster. Things had started superbly and Lee Boylan put Boro 1 up after just 7 minutes. Boro were dominant and looked like making it 25 unbeaten when Mitchell Cole added a second. Boro were flying and suddenly Wembley twice in one season wasn’t looking that far away, but things change so quickly in football and that’s what happened when Darren Murphy was sent off for a stupid two footed challenge on Russell Penn. With Boro down to 10 men, Kidderminster’s confidence rose and they began their comeback a minute before half-time when Matthew Barnes-Homer headed in from a corner.

Kiddy had scored at the right time and Boro needed half-time to re-organise themselves and try and keep Harriers out for another 45 minutes. That plan though flew out of the window, just 4 minutes into the second half when Russell Penn scored from close range. The equaliser though didn’t stop Stevenage from trying to attack and get back in front. Boylan and Morison both had chances to score for Boro before Justin Richards, on the counter completed the comeback for Kidderminster to put them 3-2 up. Moments later, things got even worse when the impressive Martin Brittain volleyed home from a Chris McPhee cross. Boro were beaten for the first time since a 2-1 home defeat to Wrexham in November.

It’s more disappointing because by the looks of it, Boro were in full control of the game until Darren Murphy was sent off. I couldn’t get to the game so I don’t know exactly what he was sent off for, but what I’ve read on the forum and Official site, it sounds like a stupid tackle which wasn’t needed. That sending off totally changed the game. Boro were seemingly cruising until that point and now find themselves struggling to keep up with today’s opponents for 5th place. Kidderminster are now 4 points clear of us with one game in hand. They have a big advantage on us now, but still have to play ourselves and Histon away plus Burton and Kettering at home. They’re games which they can drop points. Let’s hope they do.

For us we just have to bounce back and quickly. As the unbeaten run has gone on, I have begun to think of how important it will be for us to bounce back well when we do eventually get beat. Cambridge will be a tough game, but it is winnable. They’ve been beaten today at home against Forest Green, so they to will be looking to get back to winning ways. Tuesday’s a big day for us. Winning is essential, anything less and it will the Blue Square again for us next season.