Histon Preview

If Boro haven’t been brought back down to earth already after the semi final victory over Ebbsfleet United, then they certainly will have by tomorrow night when they visit Histon in the Blue Square Premier. It’s back to the bread and butter for Westley’s men after reaching Wembley and another 10 cup finals await, this time in the league. First up is a trip to rural Cambridge and the village of Impington to face an in form Histon side. The part timers have had another great campaign both in the league and cup. Highlights include beating Leeds at home live on TV, plus big wins against Stevenage, Oxford and Burton. I said when they beat us in November, that they are the best side we have played so far this season and that still stands. We were awful that night, but Histon performed very well and fully deserved all 3 points.

There will be no resting of players. Every game from now on in is a huge game for the club. With the race for the play-offs being the tightest it has been for several seasons, every game and point counts and Boro will be looking for all 3 tomorrow night. Last season saw Peter Taylor’s side triumph 4-1 at the Glassworld Stadium. Boro didn’t play particularly well that night, but had a cutting edge and scored 3 second half goals to win the game. Scott Laird’s long range effort, the pick of the 4 goals.

“It’s a really important fixture for us and one that we need to go and get a win in. They are in decent nick themselves, they had a good win last week against Grays, so they are in good form. It’s going to be a real battle.” Westley on Histon

Histon are a good side. There’s no doubt about that. They are well organised and have a core set of players that have been vital in their success so far this season. Players such as Mathew Mitchell-King, Nat Knight-Percival, Josh Simpson and Jamie Barker are key players for Steve Fallon’s side and have surprised many that they haven’t been snapped up by bigger clubs. I was very impressed with Simpson in the game at Broadhall Way. He controlled the midfield very well and was the playmaker in the Histon side. Astute signings in January have strengthened the Stutes’ grip on a play-off place and it’s very possible that a Cambridge derby may decide who reaches League 2.

These are the types of game that will determine whether Boro reach the play-offs or not. Stevenage haven’t done that since 2005 when they were losing finalists to Carlisle United. Funnily enough, the two teams they faced in the play-offs that year are now both in League 1. Hereford were defeated over two legs by ourselves, but are now an established team in the football league. Teams like Dagenham, Morecambe and Aldershot have followed them into the football league and maybe this year is our turn. We are certainly the form team for the second half of the season and had we started the season running then the title may not of been out of the question.

Prediction: Histon 2-2 Boro