FA Trophy Final Preview

It seems very wierd that Stevenage are playing in a FA Trophy Final tomorrow afternoon. Somehow there is not the same buzz there was 2 years ago when Mark Stimson’s side played Kidderminster Harriers in the first competitive final at the new Wembley Stadium. I don’t know whether it is the fact that the stadium has lost its new ‘magic’ or that the main aim of the club this season has been promotion from the Blue Square Premier. The play-off defeat to Cambridge is still very fresh and I’m sure that had we won on Monday then I would be a lot more excited about tomorrow’s game.

Nonetheless, it is still a Wembley final and a great opportunity to help put the play-off defeat behind us and move onto next season with a piece of silverware in the cabinet. Two years ago, the Trophy win gave the then Boro squad a platform to build upon the following season and I believe that if Mark Stimson hadn’t left mid-way through then promotion would of been a big possibility that season. Next season can be a very successful one for this club if Graham Westley is able to keep the majority of the current squad together and add to it in certain areas. Winning this trophy would give the team a bit of confidence back going into the close season.

Graham Westley has a bit of a selection problem for the game tomorrow. Both Scott Laird and Mitchell Cole are out of the final due to suspension. Cole sits out the last of his 3 match ban after being sent off at Mansfield, while Laird, who was very unfortunate to be sent off at Cambridge, misses the Wembley final. Jon Ashton also misses out as he is cup-tied after playing for Grays earlier in the competition. I expect Michael Bostwick to partner Mark Roberts at the back with Ronnie Henry right back. I have no idea who will replace Laird at left back. When Laird was out of the team earlier in the season, Eddie Anaclet played some games there so it’s possible he may come back for the final. Another option is Lawrie Wilson?

“The spirits today are better than they were on Monday evening, but we went down there on Tuesday and got a smell of the place. Everyone is looking forward to just being there and enjoying the experience and it will be fantastic if we bring the trophy home on Saturday night. We are imagining what it would feel like. We are thinking the game through and imagining what we’ve got to do to make that a reality.” Westley on FA Trophy Final

York have had the extra week to prepare for the game and go into the final on a 5 match unbeaten run. They even have the Archbishop looking out for them. Their last outing was a 1-1 draw away at relegated Lewes. York have certainly improved since Martin Foyle took over the club mid-way through the season and will not be easy opponents, even though their final league position suggests otherwise. Christian Smith, Simon Brown and Adam Smith all miss out on the final due to being cup-tied after playing earlier in the competition for Wrexham and Gainsborough respectively. Other than that York are pretty much at full strength.

“We’re not a team that will announce the side at 2 o’clock and just turn up and get on with it. We’re going to have a fair bit of preparation. We’ve got a squad of 20 players. There’s no suspensions and everybody is fit. I don’t want to name the side because I don’t think it’s fair on the ones that are playing or the ones that haven’t been told as subs yet.” Martin Foyle on the Wembley final

I’m expecting a difficult game at Wembley. I would say that we go into the game as favourites, but as we know the ‘favourites’ tag isn’t always lived up to in finals. York will be more fresher than us and maybe go into the game with more confidence, but I think we can still win the game. I think whoever scores the first goal will have a big advantage. Boro will miss Laird and Cole on the left and like Monday could suffer from a bit of in-balance. I hope GW gets it right with the team selection and the tactics on Saturday because if he doesn’t then it could be a disappointing end to the season.

Prediction: Boro 2-0 York

FA Trophy Final 2007 Gallery