Boro hammered on opening day

Stevenage’s first game of the new season was one to forget after they were thrashed 5-0 by Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground. Boro now prop up the Blue Square Premier table on goal difference after a shambolic performance in the second half in North Wales. Not only was it a bad result, but defensively we looked awful and if you thought the discipline would be improved in Westley’s second spell back at Boro then think again as Steve Morison was sent off for violent conduct and CAPTAIN Mark Albrighton squared up to Gary Mills after the 3rd goal had gone in.

Boro began well in the first half, but never really looked like scoring. Both sides seemed to cancel each other out in the first 15 minutes until Albrighton gave away a free-kick at the edge of the Boro area. Wrexham captain Tom Kearney’s shot took a wicked deflection and the ball rolled into the net to give the Welsh side the lead. Boro though seemed to take it in their stride and had chances to equalise before half-time with Eddie Anaclet and Michael Bostwick going close.

Boro came out for the second half looking to get back into the game as soon as possible. They continued to play the same way and had a chance to score when Mitchell Cole went through on goal only to see Darren Kempson recover in time to clear. Wrexham’s biggest threat was Shaun Whalley who looked lively all afternoon and he hit a dipping shot which had Bayes beaten only to see it come back off the bar. Boro then had Steve Morison sent off after a challenge with Kempson. I didn’t actually see it, but was told it was for violent conduct.

Within 5 minutes of Morison’s dismissal, Wrexham doubled their lead thanks to ex Boro striker Jefferson Louis. The Dominican striker heading home from a corner. Wrexham then had a man sent off after a poor challenge on Scott Laird which saw the number 12 given a second yellow card. This didn’t deter Wrexham though and the impressive Whalley made it 3-0 minutes later, sweetly chipping the ball over Ashley Bayes, who had rushed out. Albrighton and Mills then had to be split up by Bostwick and Henry after squaring up to each other. Some example to his team!

The Stevenage players looked shocked at the scoreline as Wrexham continued to attack with Louis again going close. Meanwhile at the other end Lee Boylan saw his header superbly saved by Gavin Ward who was redundant for most of the afternoon. The scoring though wasn’t over and substitute Christian Smith headed home after Ashley Bayes had flapped from a corner. Bayes looks very vulnerable in the air and I’m beginning to see just how much we will miss Alan Julian this season. We have been spoilt over the last few seasons having a quality keeper. AJ had his weaknesses, but overall was a fine goalkeeper.

I had already began walking to the car by the time the fifth went in. BBC says it was another mix up between Bayes and the Boro defenders. That doesn’t surprise me after what happened in the second half. A poor performance and the “bust-up” between Albrighton and Mills was embarassing. As for Wrexham itself, not the nicest place to go and I’m sure a few more teams will struggle to get points there this season. For us it’s Eastbourne at home next, put it this way it can’t get much worse!