Next stop Hitchin

July 16, 2008 Leave a Comment

After last night’s impressive performance away at Gillingham, Boro are again on the road tomorrow night when they face Hitchin Town at Top Field. The Canaries, managed by former Stevenage striker Darran Hay, have begun pre-season well after they beat crisis club Luton 4-1 on Monday night. With QPR on Saturday I expect the Boro team will be more of a reserve line up, meaning players like Liam McDevitt and Luke Cole have another chance to impress Graham Westley.

McDevitt was one of the stand out performers from last night’s victory over Gillingham. He partnered Luke Oliver in the first half and kept strikers Simeon Jackson and Gary Mulligan reasonably quiet. Most of the Gills’ chances came from their midfield with Andrew Crofts hitting the post and Adam Miller going close with a toe poke. This pre-season will be particularly important for McDevitt as he tries to force his way into Boro’s first team. With only 3 out and out centre halves currently at the club then there is certainly a place if he performs well.

Setanta have also announced that 3 of Boro’s matches in September and October will be screened live, meaning changes to kick off times. The trip to Grays, originally a Tuesday night is now 2 days later on Thursday 25th September 2008. The home game against Mansfield is also to be shown on TV, but doesn’t affect the fixture schedule. The trip to Eastbourne though has been changed and will now be on Sunday 12th October at 1.30pm. This was originally a 3pm kick off on the Saturday. The full amended fixture list can be seen here.

There has also been an amendment to the pre-season fixture list with the game at Hendon now being played at Wembley FC’s Vale Farm ground instead of the clubs’ Claremont Road ground. The pitch at Hendon’s home hasn’t recovered in time to play the match.

Lastly ex Boro striker Tes Bramble may find it a bit harder to find a new club after he was banned from driving after being found guilty of drink driving. Bramble apparently only had a provisional license and no insurance and has been banned for 3 years as a result. I suppose he has an excuse for not turning up to that trial at Kettering a few weeks back!

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All Aboard!

July 16, 2008 Leave a Comment

The Destiny Train is on it’s way! Boro kicked off their pre-season campaign in fine style after beating League 2 side Gillingham at Priestfield. The game had an added spice as 6 ex Boro players took to the field against their former employers. It was also Stimson‘s first game against Boro since walking out on the club 9 months ago. Boro named a “reserve” 11 in the first half which included former Cambridge and Northampton forward Tom Youngs who is currently on trial at the club while Gillingham named a stronger team which included Barry Fuller & Adam Miller.

It was Stimson’s new side that had the better of the first half with chances falling to Crofts, Mulligan and Miller. Boro had a few half chances on goal, but didn’t particular threaten the Gills goal. Peter Vincenti played superbly in the first half as if on trial trying to earn himself a new contract and kept Miller in his pocket throughout until getting injured late on in the half. Liam McDevitt also impressed at the back alongside Luke Oliver while James Russell looked solid between the sticks. Boro also gave a debut to Iyseden Christie who looked a bit unfit to say the least, but had a few nice touches. The half ended 0-0.

Boro fielded their “1st” 11 in the second half with the likes of Steve Morison, Ronnie Henry and Mitchell Cole getting their chance to shine in front of their ex boss. The Gills’ 2nd half side wasn’t as strong as the 1st, but still boasted several players with football league experience. Alan Julian made his debut in goal and John Nutter and Stuart Lewis featured against their old club.

Boro though were the much more livlier of the two teams and it didn’t take long for Boro to take the lead after the break when Anthony Thomas put through Steve Morison who beat ex team mate Julian to give Boro the lead. The partnership between Morison and Thomas looked good and was a threat to the Gills backline all evening. Boro though didn’t stop at 1-0 and looked dangerous on the counter attack. Scott Laird particularly impressed at left back and Boro had a few more chances to extend their lead with Thomas, McMahon and Morison all having efforts on goal. Gillingham came into the game late on, but never really threatened the Boro goal. Stimson brought on Ally John, who is on trial at Priestfield, to try and force an equaliser and he looked the most threatening player in a blue shirt. Bayes only had one real shot to deal with in the second half.

Overall it was a good night down in Kent as Boro began pre-season with a well deserved victory. It was also pleasing to see Alan Julian get a good reception after 3 and a half seasons at Broadhall Way. Mark Stimson and Adam Miller got what they deserved and were given the most stick out of all of them. As for the whole saga, it’s finished now. That game can put a lid on it all and hopefully help Boro move on to bigger and better things. Destiny will always take over!

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