Below par Boro beaten at Eastbourne

Inconsistency is what cost Graham Westley’s last Stevenage team when they missed out on the play-offs in 2006 and it looks like it could be more of the same this time around. Although Boro didn’t play particularly well on Tuesday night against Mansfield, they had enough going forward to secure them the 3 points. However, the attacking unit cannot be relied on every game to produce the goods and when they do have an off day then the rest of the team must try to grind out a win and at the moment Boro can’t seem to do that. Morison, Cole and McMahon didn’t play to their usual high standards, but to be fair I thought the Eastbourne defended quite well and reduced Boro to half chances.

Again the Boro team changed with John Martin returning to the starting eleven after missing the Mansfield game in place of Lawrie Wilson who was on the bench. Eddie Anaclet also came into the side for Tommy Black on the right-wing. Eastbourne gave a debut to defender Kayleigh Osbourne, while striker Andy Atkin returned after a calf injury.

Crawley Town’s manager, Steve Evans was in the burger bar stands watching the game. The first half was a dull affair with little action at either end. Eastbourne did have a couple of long-range shots, but didn’t trouble Chris Day in the Stevenage goal. Boro arguably had the best chance of the half with Steve Morison going through on goal, but keeper Hook did well to save low down. Mitchell Cole also hit the bar after a mazy run.

Graham Westley needed to motivate his side to be better in the final third and to pass and move the ball with more urgency. It looked for much of the game as a stroll in the park for some. 10 minutes into the second half Eastbourne got a goal after good work by Atkin and Wormull resulting in the former Boro midfielder hitting a sweet strike into Chris Day’s top right hand corner. Stevenage reacted soon after though when Eddie Anaclet hit home the equaliser after a good run from Mitchell Cole. Cole could have gone down and won a penalty, but carried on and the ball found Anaclet who drove the ball low and into the net.

Once the equaliser was scored there was only really one team in it. Eastbourne offered little up front and the game was mostly played in midfield with the odd Boro half-chance at the other end. Morison was being well-marked by Osbourne and didn’t have much effect on the game at all. Boro’s main threat came from the flanks with McMahon on the left and now Black on the right after he had come on for Anaclet. Luke Oliver had Boro’s best chance with a glancing header which just flashed wide.

Westley brought on Wilson and Willock late on to try to push for a winner, but the midfield was left exposed and we looked quite open to the counter attack. Eastbourne exploited that in the last-minute when the ball was moved from right to left where Lyle Taylor controlled the ball before beating Bostwick and firing in the winner. Poor defending from us, again and if we are to seriously push for the play-offs this season then something needs to be done about our defence.