A quick word

30/09/2009 by sgmboro Leave a Comment

I haven’t got an internet connection until the weekend, but thought I better put something up tonight after a superb result and performance away at Luton Town. I arrived about 45 mins before kick off after finding somewhere to park in the ghetto! The atmosphere was electric in the ground. The Boro fans can be very proud of themselves tonight. There was definately a ’12th man’ out there this evening and I don’t mean the ref for the home side. I’ll put up a more detailed summary of both the luton and altrincham games up as soon as I’m back up and running which shouldn’t be long.

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Boro miss big opportunity after being held by Grays

23/09/2009 by sgmboro Leave a Comment

With Luton, Cambridge and Oxford all dropping points, Stevenage missed a big oppoortunity to close the gap on the leaders of the Blue Square Premier after being held at home by lowly Grays. The Essex side came into the game after a run of 3 straight defeats, but frustrated Westley’s side all evening.

Jon Ashton, as expected, missed out with Mark Albrighton coming in to replace him. Eddie Odhiambo started in midfield alongside Bostwick and Byrom while Lee Boylan returned in place of the dropped Charlie Griffin. Grays fielded their new signing Petar Rnkovic up front while former league players like Glenn Poole, Paulo Vernazza and Anwar Uddin all started. Uddin in particular was impressive at the back keeping Boylan and Beardsley quiet for the majority of the game.

Stevenage started the game well, but didn’t create enough chances to really test Lee Butcher in the Grays goal. Boro’s first attempt came from a well worked move, but the Grays keeper did well to keep out a Boylan shot. Grays looked like they had a goal in them as they worked a few openings with Mark Roberts having to cover at the last minute on more than one occasion. Grays though did get their goal and it was another well worked move ending with the new striker, Rnkovic rounding Day and sliding the ball in. That goal woke the home side up.

Boro rallied in search of an equaliser and did so 15 minutes later when a quickly taken free-kick found Boylan who showed his killer instinct in front of goal and hit the equaliser. To be fair we did deserve to get back into the game after reacting well to going behind.

Unfortunately though Boro again failed to build on their equaliser and rued several missed chances in the second half with both Beardsley and Boylan guilty of missing simple chances. Westley then made another baffling tactical decision to add to his collection. He took off arguably our best player last night in Eddie Odhiambo for Vincenti. I can understand bringing Vincenti on as a target man, especially when we played hoofball for the majority of the game, but I think he could of come on for Cole who was poor last night. Odhiambo showed a lot of determination last night and gave 100%. He also put some great through balls through and just before coming off tackled a Grays player before releasing a great through pass. That summed up his night, before the manager decided to take him off.

“We are extremely disappointed not to get three points from the game. We got back in it and should have won. It is a positive that we’re unbeaten at home, the longer you are unbeaten, the longer you’re unbeatable.” Wise words from Vincenti…

Boro had one last big chance when Mark Roberts was a fraction away from connecting with a Drury corner, but a slight deflection took the ball away. Overall it wasn’t a great game and Boro weren’t at their best, but even still these are the sorts of games we should really be winning if we are to challenge the likes of Oxford and Luton. A disappointing night, but I’m still reasonably confident that we can bounce back on Saturday against Altrincham and win 3 points.

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Grays Preview

22/09/2009 by sgmboro Leave a Comment

It’s Grays at home tonight and Boro are bang in form after an impressive couple of results on the road. It’s a far cry from the team from 12 months ago. Boro were struggling to get consistent results and as a result were stuck in mid table. It looked the same at the beginning of this campaign, but Boro have been hard to beat in recent weeks and their strong character has come through to pick up some vital points against Rushden & Mansfield.

The home side are without ex Grays defender Jon Ashton after he picked up an injury at the weekend at the Deva Stadium. It’s likely Michael Bostwick may drop back to defence or Mark Albrighton may come into the 11 and start alongside Mark Roberts. Of course Lawrie Wilson remains a long term absentee. Other than that it looks like we are at full strength for the visit of the Essex side.

Grays have another new manager in charge with former West Ham hero Julian Dicks taking over. If you look at their squad, they haven’t got a bad side. There are plenty of established players like Glenn Poole, Jamie Slabber, Fred Murray and Adriano Rigoglioso in the squad. The latter is likely to miss out through injury, while former Cambridge striker Lee McEvilly is also doubtful.

Dicks’ side find themselves languishing in the relegation zone after a recent run of poor results. They have lost their last 3 games, conceding 10 goals in the process. I am pretty confident that we can score some goals tonight too. The home fixture against Grays last season was one of the worst games I had ever seen and that is no joke. It was a freezing cold night and the football was dismal. It was all up in the air and to be honest had hit rock bottom. The good run of form last season started from that game.

“We know that not only do we want to win at home, we want to entertain. We want to play a good brand of football that people will want to come and watch. There will be 11 men trying to stop us earning three points, and 11 men on our side very purposefully going out and trying to win them. It’s all about what you do on the day.” Westley on aiming to entertain

It’s interesting to see that GW wants to entertain. In some ways it puts more pressure on him. If he didn’t say that then he could get away with winning games whichever way he wants, but he now has said he wants to do it in style and I can see that statement hitting him back in the face.

Whatever way we play tonight, I’m confident we’ll carry on our good form and get the 3 points. It almost feels like we are back to being confident about our game like the end of last season. There was a period last season where I felt we couldn’t lose. It’s taken a while to get that back this season, but I think it’s here now and the team is putting some good performances in and getting the results. Come on Boro!

Stevenage Squad

Ashley Bayes, Chris Day, Scott Laird, Ronnie Henry, Jon Ashton, Mark Roberts, Mark Albrighton, Eddie Odhiambo, Michael Bostwick, Stacy Long, David Bridges, Darren Murphy, Andy Drury, Joel Byrom, Mitchell Cole, Yemi Odubade, Lee Boylan, Charlie Griffin, Chris Beardsley

Prediction: Boro 3-0 Grays

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Chester Preview

18/09/2009 by lopo1 Leave a Comment

After dramatic victory against Mansfield last Saturday, Boro return to action tomorrow against bottom side Chester. After having 25 points deducted at the start of the season it was always going to be an up hill struggle for Chester to overcome and 9 points from their opening 9 games have not given them a great start either.

Despite this both their wins this season have come at the Deva Stadium against Histon and Gateshead so this could prove to be a difficult game for Boro. History hasn’t always been kind for Boro against Chester with just one win in 4 meetings which did come at Chester in a 2-1 in 2003. Boro however are in great form with 5 wins in our last 6 games after drawing our first 3 games. We have found ourselves 2nd in the form league and scoring 13 goals in the last 6 games we can’t complain about the goals too much.

The trip up the M6 won’t be an easy game as Chester’s fight for survival has already hit ‘must win’ for pretty much every game. Boro go into this game with fitness doubts over Mitchell Cole, Lee Boylan and Darren Murphy. Peter Vincenti is serving his final match of his 3 match suspension.Andy Drury played 45 minutes for the reserves so could feature whilst Lawrie Wilson is out for the season.

Chester are down to a bare minimum and are likely to name an unchanged side which will likely include former Northwich and Doncaster striker Gregg Blundell and former Plymouth man Nick Chadwick.

In my opinion this game could go down to consistency something we have struggled with at times. After 4 straight wins, slipping up against Chester will certainly bring us back to the earth. However we need to keep the run going as we have some tricky games ahead away to Luton and York.

“They [Chester] are a useful enough side with experienced players, they play some decent football at times. They won a home game [in midweek] and are going to draw some confidence from that.

“We know full well that you don’t go to Chester and walk away with the points without a battle. We know we have a tough job to do to make sure we come back down south with the three points that we so badly want.” Westley on Chester test

With all the fight we have in our team I am feeling confident we can grind out a victory and return down the M6 with all 3 points

Come on Boro!

Lopo’s Prediction Chester 1-2 Stevenage

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Boro win in Field Mill thriller

15/09/2009 by lopo1 Leave a Comment

Boro came from 2-0 down to defeat in form Mansfield on Saturday with an inspirational performance at Field Mill. A difficult place to go and to go 2-0 down after just 16 minutes you felt that it was going to be a frustrating afternoon. Two goals from striker Kyle Perry gave Mansfield a dream start one which they never would of dreamt of losing. Boylan had a blocked shot and Bostwick had one cleared of the line as Boro tried to get back into the game.

However the game was to be completely turned on it’s head when Mansfield scorer Kyle Perry seemingly stamped Lee Boylan after chasing a ball together. No decision was made for several minutes and despite former Boro midfielder Gary Mills’ best efforts  the referee whipped out his red card to Perry after consulting the fourth official. Unlike Rushden, Mansfield did not improve with 10 men but more credit is deserved to the Boro side who fought back starting just before the half time whistle thanks to former Stags man Chris Beardsley whose near post header gave Boro a goal going in at the break.

The second half was going to be difficult for Boro as Mansfield seemed happy to contain sub Griffin and Beardsley and attack on the counter. Yemi Odubade gave Boro a deserved equaliser in the 59th minute thanks to a good run from the left from Beardsley to cap a high energy and impressive performance which will certainly boost his confidence and depending on Mitchell Cole’s fitness maybe a starting place against Chester next Saturday.

Just 9 minutes later the comeback was complete when Charlie Griffin slotted his first goal for the club home. With little over 20 minutes to go it was Mansfield’s turn to chase the game and they certainly gave it a go. Although it was Scott Laird who went close with a 25 yarder tipped over the bar by Mansfield keeper Marriott. David Holdsworth made a couple of changes to spark more life into the home side and a solid defensive finish and a couple of top drawer saves from Chris Day gave Boro a fantastic win.

“You find out about the depth of passion for the victory in that kind of situation and I thought it was a magnificent performance” Graham Westley on Boro fightback

Despite angry comments after the game by Mansfield manager David Holdsworth, there has been no appeal for the red card and Perry has apologised to Boylan for the stamp. I personally couldn’t see this result especially after going 2-0 down however this fantastic result has given Boro 3rd place in the league. 8 points behind leaders Oxford with a game in hand.

In other news Stevenage’s youth team are out of the FA Youth Cup after 3-0 defeat  to AFC Hornchurch.  

Lopo

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Mansfield Preview

12/09/2009 by sgmboro 1 Comment

Next up for Boro is a trip to Field Mill and Mansfield Town. Graham Westley’s side are 3 matches unbeaten since the 2-1 defeat at the Kassam Stadium against leaders Oxford United on the 22nd August. Tomorrow’s game will be a big test for the team. Down the years, Stevenage never seem to play well or get results at ‘big’ grounds and Mansfield will be no different. Last season saw Boro beat the Stags 3-2 at Broadhall Way, but lose 2-1 away on the last day of the season.

Westley has Andy Drury, David Bridges and Darren Murphy all struggling for fitness, while long term absentee Lawrie Wilson definately misses out. Peter Vincenti is suspended. GW must also decide whether to stick with the 4-3-3 formation used successfully in midweek against Eastbourne or deploy the usual 4-4-2 and bring back either Murphy or Bridges, if fit. I would be tempted to stick with the 4-3-3, but maybe swap Long or Byrom for Murphy who can help with the defensive side. Eddie Odhiambo’s recent performances could also sway the managers mind.

“It’s never going to be an easy place to go, they have a tremendous home record and it is a great opportunity for us to establish ourselves at the top end of the league. We’re in good form in terms of our defence at the moment. The back-line is working hard and we’ve talked about the team working hard to keep clean sheets.” Westley on playing Mansfield

The defence has been impressive in recent weeks, but to be honest the problems haven’t been at the back. I think with Roberts and Ashton we are strong in that area and together with Ronnie Henry and Scott Laird, we have got a very consistent unit in place now. Another plus side is that Michael Bostwick or Mark Albrighton can come in at any time and continue the good work of the current defence.

Mansfield are going through a bit of a tough period after a good start to the campaign. Having won 5 out of their first 6 games, the Stags have gone 3 games without a win including Tuesday night’s 3-1 defeat away to Kidderminster.

“We don’t need to change. You stick to your beliefs and you keep to your discipline and hopefully things can turn around very quickly.” Holdsworth on how to stop the rot

Holdsworth has signed Levi Porter from Leicester on loan to try and help the team, but the Mansfield boss will be missing prolific striker Daryl Clare. Defenders Paul Heckingbottom and Craig Armstrong could return. Ex Boro ‘favourite’ Gary Mills is in line to face his former club after returning in the midweek loss what a surprise against Kidderminster.

It will not be an easy game and I just think with Boro’s record against big, ex league teams, a draw would be a good result. However, Mansfield have an impressive home record and will be up for the game after a recent dip in form. Boro will need to continue their recent improvement if they are to get anything from Field Mill.

Stevenage Squad

Ashley Bayes, Chris Day, Scott Laird, Ronnie Henry, Jon Ashton, Mark Roberts, Mark Albrighton, Eddie Odhiambo, Michael Bostwick, Stacy Long, David Bridges, Darren Murphy, Andy Drury, Joel Byrom, Mitchell Cole, Yemi Odubade, Lee Boylan, Charlie Griffin, Chris Beardsley

Prediction: Mansfield 2-1 Boro

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Boro continue to improve as Eastbourne are brushed aside

08/09/2009 by sgmboro 2 Comments

Stevenage continued their recent improvement, brushing aside Eastbourne Borough 2-0 at Broadhall Way. Boro dominated the game throughout and could of won by more had the 3 strikers of Boylan, Cole and Beardsley had their shooting boots on.

Westley named a 4-3-3 formation with Michael Bostwick, Joel Byrom and Stacy Long all starting in midfield. Mitchell Cole and Lee Boylan supported Chris Beardsley in a 3 man attack. Eastbourne named former Boro goalkeeper Michael Jordan in goal and he had an impressive night in between the sticks for the visitors. One save in the first half from Cole stood out in particular. They fielded a 4-4-2 formation with Andy Atkin acting as their main target man.

In what was at times a scrappy encounter, Stevenage had the majority of possession and reduced the visitors to long shots which failed to trouble Chris Day. I was particularly impressed with the work rate shown tonight. The midfield worked hard all night closing down the Eastbourne players and that hard work was rewarded with a comfortable victory. In my opinion Michael Bostwick was Man of the Match. Defensively we were also very secure, although Ashton and Roberts’ distribution of the ball could improve. At times they both just seem to hit the ball long and hope for the best.

Boro went ahead when a Joel Byrom corner was headed in by Jon Ashton. It was Ashton’s first goal for the club since his move last January from Grays. It was a well deserved goal as he was superb at the back all evening. Stevenage pushed on from their first goal, but were frustrated by Eastbourne goalkeeper Michael Jordan. Mitchell Cole, in particular had a frustrating first half. He got into a lot of good positions, but lacked that killer touch to add to the lead.

The second half was again scrappy, but Boro got hold of the ball after 10-15 minutes and even began to play some nice football at times. The second goal was a good goal. Ronnie Henry did well before passing to Cole who beat his man before crossing for Henry to head home. A well worked move which sealed the points for the hosts.

The last 20 minutes was more exhibition stuff from Westley’s side. Eddie Odhiambo came on and showed again why he has come back into contention at Broadhall Way. He linked up well on the right of midfield with Ronnie Henry. Boro could of added more goals with Lee Boylan, Chris Beardsley and Joel Byrom all going close, but the 2 goals were enough to move Boro into seventh in the Blue Square Premier table. Another step in the right direction after a slow start, but there were signs tonight that we are getting back to our best.

Lastly, welcome back Eddie Odhiambo. Two good substitute appearances and a seemingly great attitude so far this season.

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