Chelmsford City 1-2 Stevenage Borough
15th July 2009
Melbourne Park

It wasn’t pretty, but it was never going to be in Chelmsford this evening as Stevenage kicked off their pre-season campaign. It was an unfamiliar looking Boro side who started the game in black training shirts before reverting to the old white home shirt for the second half. Graham Westley opted to start the game with arguably his strongest line up. Charlie Griffin made his debut up front alongside Lee Boylan, while David Bridges returned from injury to partner Michael Bostwick in centre midfield. The other four new signings began on the bench, but all got a run out in the second half.

The first half was a dull affair with little happening in either box, but Boro were in control of the game, without ever pressing the Chelmsford defence. It took 30 mins for the first goal of the game and it came from the home side. Jason Hallett did well before setting up ex Boro striker Danny Hockton, who curled a shot past Chris Day. It was a well taken goal from the new signing.

Boro didn’t let that goal affect them though and they continued to play at their own pace. Jut minutes after of the opening goal of the game, Boro went up the other end and equalised. Andy Drury did well before setting up Charlie Griffin who fired in a low shot that beat goalkeeper Ashley Harrison. A fine strike from the former Salisbury man. Griffin played well tonight I thought. He held the ball up well which got Cole and Drury into the game more and his aerial threat will be a handful for Blue Square Premier defences. To be fair Chelmsford dealt with his threat quite well tonight.

Boro returned for the second half with just the one change. Jon Ashton was replaced by Darren Murphy who slotted into midfield. Michael Bostwick went back to partner to new captain, Mark Roberts. The second half played how the first did with Boro dominating the possession, but not really making enough chances. Changes were made continuously throughout the half which disrupted play, so it was never going to be a good football game. Yemi Odubade, Chris Beardsley, Stacy Long and Joel Byrom all made their debuts in the second half.

The game looked like petering out to a draw until a long crossfield ball by Wilson found Beardsley who looped his header over Harrison and into the net. It turned out to be the winning goal, but neither team really deserved to win the game. Beardsley put himself about a bit when he came on and will be pleased to have opened his account early on in pre-season. The formation that was played out for the last 20 minutes is something I think we’ll see fairly regularly this season, especially away from home. Long played in the hole behind Beardsley while Anderson and Yemi supported the front man on the wings. It was a 4-2-3-1 type of formation and something I think GW will implement a lot in the coming months.

Overall, it was a good workout for the players as they continue to hit their peak of fitness come August 8th. It was a good test on the pitch and the game had a few moments where tempers flared a bit. It usually involved Murphy and their number 6, although Bostwick and Beardsley got involved too. Anyway a good win and now on to Brighton on Saturday with just 3 and a bit weeks left until Tamworth on the opening day of the season.