Boro gain point at the Kassam

Boro’s last game before a busy Christmas schedule ended in a 1-1 draw at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium, a result which Graham Westley’s side won’t be complaining about. I didn’t make the trip to Oxford for various reasons, mainly financial, but from what I have read and heard it sounds like in general it was a better performance than in recent weeks. To be fair, Boro are now unbeaten in four games in all competitions and although the football has been pretty awful and there is a poor atmosphere around BHW at the moment, there are signs of improvement.

The starting eleven looked far more balanced than in recent weeks with Michael Bostwick returning into the midfield partnering the attack minded David Bridges, who made his first league start for the club. Bostwick replaced Gary Mills who was suspended after picking up 5 bookings. Lawrie Wilson and Mitchell Cole started on the wings for Boro while Ronnie Henry returned to the side at right back after missing the FA Trophy win over St Albans.

It was Bridges who opened the scoring for Boro with a clever curling shot from just outside the box. It will be interesting to see what role Bridges plays now he is back fit. When he signed in the summer I thought he may play wide right with Bostwick and Martin in the middle, but when he played in pre-season he was mostly used in the middle. That was also where he played yesterday, but with the imminent arrival of Darren Murphy then competition in the centre of midfield will be hot. I can see another centre midfielder joining Daryl McMahon and John Martin on their way out of Broadhall Way and I can see it being Peter Vincenti, who must of impressed fellow BSP clubs into maybe taking him off Boro’s wage bill?

Next up for Boro is Rushden at home on Boxing Day, which will be an interesting encounter between the two underachievers so far this season. Both the Diamonds and Stevenage were made pre-season favourites by some bookmakers in the summer, but find themselves in mid-table as teams with lower budgets like Histon and Burton top the table. Rushden have strengthened their squad going into the game at BHW with Justin Cochrane, formerly of Crewe and Rotherham signing on at Nene Park. Garry Hill’s side are currently 8th with 37 points from 24 games.