Win over Kidderminster sets up exciting last day

A big game tonight and another big win for Graham Westley’s side. If only we had hit the ground running back in August!

Stevenage have been superb since December. If the season had begun at the beginning of that month, then Boro would be comfortable winners of the Blue Square Premier. It would be us and not Burton that would be topping the BSP table at the moment. Without sounding too big headed, I do genuinely think we are the best side in the division at the moment and that is a big compliment with ex league teams like Cambridge, Oxford and Torquay in the division.

Burton have fallen off the pace a bit in recent weeks, but remain a solid side and I expect them to win the league on Sunday. Burton going up just shows that if we had been more consistent at the beginning of the campaign, then the league could of been ours by now. The Brewers are not a great side, but have been the most consistent over the season and that’s what will probably win them promotion. They are solid at the back and have enough going forward to give them a cutting edge. I think we are better now in all areas than the current leaders, but that hasn’t been true over the course of the season. We lacked a decent, settled defence until Mark Roberts and Jon Ashton arrived in mid-season. They have helped organise the backline and along with the signing of Chris Day just after the season began have helped Boro get to where they are now.

An early goal by Steve Morison, who I thought yesterday would deliver the goods, gave Boro the initative. From then on Stevenage were the dominant force. Kidderminster were mostly played off the park by an impressive Stevenage side who looked up for the task in hand. The visitors did have the odd opportunity and with a strike force of Richards and Barnes-Homer were always dangerous going forward. For all the chances, Boro had they didn’t take advantage of them and were punished just before half time when Richards found himself with space to fire a shot past Day. Kiddy were level.

Boro needed another quick start to the half, much like the first and it came as the home side came out for the second period all guns blazing. Within four minutes of the restart, Lee Boylan had smashed in a long range effort that gave Boro the lead again. A fantastic strike from a player that has popped up with vital goals at important times during the season. To think there was a period at the beginning of the season, that he was behind the likes of Iyseden Christie and Anthony Thomas in the strikers pecking order. Boro couldn’t just settle for the one goal advantage and just after the hour we got another goal, again from Boylan. The ball was well worked down the left to Cole, who’s cross found the former Canvey striker who finished to give Boro a 2 goal lead. That goal seemed to finish off any resistance Kidderminster had.

Overall a fantastic night to be a Stevenage Borough supporter. The atmosphere was electric at Broadhall Way tonight and the performance was superb. Morison is back scoring, which can only be a good thing going into the Mansfield game on Sunday and the possible play-off date ahead? Bostwick and Murphy did well again in midfield, while Andy Drury played as if he had never been away. Defensively again we were solid and with a goalkeeper like Chris Day, we always have a chance. I had a good feeling before tonight and I’m confident again now that we will be in the play-offs. Bring on Mansfield on Sunday!