A year unbeaten at home

It was a year ago yesterday that Stevenage were last beat at Broadhall Way in the league. That 2-1 defeat by Wrexham now feels like a very long time ago and the team has come a long way since then.

Boro could find themselves top of the Blue Square Premier tomorrow night if they win away at Ebbsfleet and Oxford lose against Crawley at the Broadfield Stadium. Stevenage could still go to the summit of the non league if they win by a big margin and Oxford only draw. It’s another important game for Westley’s men, who have passed every test that has been thrown at them so far this season. Another solid away win at Salisbury followed a ‘professional’ performance against Chester. At the moment, Stevenage are grinding out hard fought wins, without particularly playing well, but are are getting their rewards for being hard to beat and organised.

Below is the team’s record in the league, both home and away, since that home defeat on the 29th November 2008.

Played: 47
Won: 28
Drew: 16
Lost: 3
Points: 100 out of a possible 141

As you can see that kind of form is title winning form. If you take away the extra game in the above table and 3 points, we would of still won the BSP last season by 9 points. Burton won the league with 88 last season. It’s a superb record since the end of November last year and the management team and players deserve a huge amount of credit for that. The fact we have only lost 3 games in that time is a record that not even some of the ‘top’ clubs in Europe can match.

Tomorrow night’s game against Ebbsfleet will not be an easy one. Although the Kent side are struggling at the bottom of the league, they have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks and that was rewarded on Saturday when they beat Mansfield 2-1 at Stonebridge Road. Goals from Magno Vieira and Peter Holmes were enough to earn Liam Daish’s side all 3 points. Stevenage’s last meeting against Ebbsfleet saw us run out comfortable 3-0 winners in what was our first win of the season. Lawrie Wilson was the man of the match on that particular night.

It’s unknown what Westley will do with his team tomorrow night considering he has changed it a lot in recent weeks to good effect. I’m not sure that playing Ronnie Henry in midfield is the best option though. If it was me, I would put Ronnie in to right back and play Ashton and Roberts in the middle of the defence. Joel Byrom impressed in the ‘hole’ on Saturday and I think that’s his best position, so I would be tempted to play him behind Yemi and Griffin with Bostwick, Murphy and Bridges making up the midfield.

Ebbsfleet will make it difficult for us and we shouldn’t under estimate them. Although I think we will win the game, it might be another close encounter that will be decided by the 1 goal. I’m always confident that we will score, due to the amount of chances that we create and as long as we keep it tight again at the back then I expect to come back to Hertfordshire with 3 very important points. A repeat of the last two away results would be very welcome.

Stevenage Squad

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

Prediction: Ebbsfleet 0-1 Boro