Torquay Preview

Stevenage go into the last week of the season with three huge games to play. Firstly, Torquay United visit Broadhall Way in a massive six pointer on Saturday, before Kidderminster Harriers make the trip to Hertfordshire on Tuesday night in another six pointer. Boro win them two games, then a place in the play-offs is ours. An away trip to Nottinghamshire and Mansfield Town on the final day of the season finishes off a big week for the club. Hopefully, by then we will have secured our play-off place and be resting players. Graham Westley’s side know that if they don’t perform to their best in all three games then all the hard work in recovering a season that looked dead in November will have been wasted.

The Torquay game is not easy. Boro’s record against them since their relegation from League 2 in 2006/2007 isn’t good either. 3 games played, 3 defeats and the Gulls have scored 3 goals or more in every game. Boro were soundly beaten at Plainmoor back in October when the two sides last met. Goals in the second half from Chris Robertson, Tim Sills and Nicky Wroe were enough to give Paul Buckle’s side a comfortable victory. Torquay, like Boro, had a difficult start to the campaign, but have grown stronger as the season has gone on and are now looking likely to securing a play-off finish for the second year in a row. Last season, Buckle’s side lost out in the semi-final to eventual winners Exeter City, who are now looking at automatic promotion from League 2.

Boro have a much better look about them this week than they did when Ebbsfleet visited last Saturday. Michael Bostwick, Mark Roberts and Ronnie Henry all returned against Crawley and look ready again for Torquay. Another player backk this week is Darren Murphy who has now completed his suspension after the red card he got away at Kidderminster. However, I expect the team to be more or less the same that beat Crawley on Easter Monday. Murphy may come back into contention on the bench, but I doubt there will be room for John Martin. GW has more or less confirmed that Martin has played his last game for the club, despite two good performances since returning from Ebbsfleet. It’s disappointing to see someone who puts 100% in week in week out and gives good performances to be shafted the way he has done.

Since the defeat at Kidderminster, Boro have won 3 games in a row and are right back in the race for the play-offs. Torquay’s recent form is a bit patchy. They were held away at Salisbury last time out and were beaten by Crawley at home last Saturday. I think Stevenage can win this game if they perform how they did against Cambridge. Boro usually struggle against the ex League sides and will need a big performance to beat a tough Torquay side. The man who could make the difference is Steve Morison. If he finds his form, then a home win is certain, but recently he hasn’t looked himself and that could cost Boro 2 points.

Prediction: Boro 1-1 Torquay

Also a reminder that Issue 24 of The Broadhall Way  is out for the Torquay game. It promises to be another issue packed with all your usual favourites: The Worrier, Kenfish, Away Amazed, Two Hats, The Last Goalscorers Society and The Thinker. Plus also in this issue…

- TBW catch up for a quick chat with both Phil Wallace and Graham Westley

- More from the Football Supporters Federation

- A Catch up on the latest results from the Boro Fantasy Fives & Predication Competitions

- We have proof as to why Scott Laird is such a hit with the ladies

- A chance to win the Road To Wembley 2009 DVD

Plus much much more and still for only a £1.00.