Northwich frustrate Boro

Stevenage’s winning run in the league came to an end yesterday afternoon after a hardworking Northwich side held Boro to a draw at Broadhall Way. It could have been very different, had the home side taken their chances, but poor finishing again cost Boro as they dropped another 2 points as they look to push into the play-offs. It’s another set back for Graham Westley’s side, who just can’t seem to get going this season.

Westley opted to recall Lee Boylan to the starting eleven after his recovery from an injured foot. Boylan partnered Morison up front with Mitchell Cole coming into the side in place of Daryl McMahon who was unfairly dropped in my opinion. I thought McMahon was one of the better players against Leicester and should have kept his place with Cole remaining on the bench. How Cole won player of the month for October is unbelievable. He’s a good player when he wants to be, I just wish he wanted to be every game. Yesterday, he just didn’t look interested in the slightest and should have been taken off at half-time.

Northwich were strong at the back and although they didn’t cause much of a threat up front, they took the lead in the 28th minute when a free-kick, which was wrongly given against Eddie Anaclet, was swung in and ended up in the back of Boro’s net via the head of Darryn Stamp. It was a poor goal to concede defensively and I think Chris Day should have done better.

The defence has to be strengthened in January if we are serious about winning promotion. Too many sloppy goals are being scored against us and we will never go up if we continue to defend in this manner. I would have liked to see us look at bringing in someone like Will Antwi, who Northwich signed on loan from Wycombe in the week. Antwi was Northwich’s number 30 yesterday and dominated Morison and Boylan along with the Vics’ number 5. He is a big, strong, athletic centre back and is someone I think we need at the back. Kayleigh Osbourne from Eastbourne is another centre half who I think would do a good job at BHW.

Boro wasted several chances in the first half and went into the interval 1-0 down. After the break Boro dominated possession and the game was mostly played in the visitor’s half. Vincenti was again working hard in the Boro midfield trying to win the ball back before getting into the box himself. I think Vincenti had done a superb job this season. He is the ideal squad member and I would be more than happy if he remained apart of the Boro squad for the forseeable future. The goal finally came from Andy Drury who cut in from the right and hit a curling shot which flew past the Northwich keeper.

That goal didn’t seem to push Boro on though and Westley tactics again came found wanting. While searching for a winner, Westley decided to bring off Steve Morison, Boro’s main goal threat and the Blue Square Premier top scorer and replace him with Luke Oliver.

Why?

Why would you do that?

If he was going to take anyone off for Oliver then take off a centre back as they were already down to 10 men and looked toothless in attack. Instead we remained with 4 at the back and only had one recognised striker on the pitch and he was just coming back from an injury he’s had for 2 months! Poor decision in my opinion. A crap game, crap performance and overall if we play like that on Tuesday or next Saturday then we will be punished. Histon and Burton are far better opponents than Northwich and I just hope we begin to play like we did when we last played Burton in September.