Boro rue missed chances at Kettering

October 31, 2009 Leave a Comment

KetteringStevenage will get home this evening and wonder how they didn’t end up taking all 3 points after a dominant second half performance. Although Kettering had a couple of opportunities in added time, the second half was mostly at the other end as a host of Boro players missed chances to give the Hertfordshire side the victory. Westley opted to use a 4-3-3 formation with Chris Beardsley coming in to face his old club. Eddie Odhiambo was dropped to the bench. Andy Drury also missed out due to injury and was replaced by David Bridges who made his first start of the season.

The game couldn’t of started better. Boro were awarded a free-kick about 25 yards out and a weak Joel Byrom effort ended in the back of the net after a huge error by Poppies goalkeeper Lee Harper. The former Arsenal and Northampton stopper allowed the ball to somehow go under his big frame and into the goal. It was the perfect start for Westley’s side. Stevenage continued to attack after the goal. Yemi Odubade’s pace was a threat in behind the Kettering defence and Scott Laird and Ronnie Henry were bursting forward at every opportunity.

After a dominating opening spell, Kettering began to get a foothold back in the game. Moses Ashikodi was becoming a growing threat to the Boro backline and along with the aerial presence of Damian Spencer, you felt Boro wouldn’t be able to just settle for the 1 goal. That proved to be the case as a mix up in defence between Ashton and Day allowed ex Watford striker Ashikodi to get the ball and slot it into an empty net. It was a soft goal to concede.

Stevenage had another few chances before half-time including a long range effort that just went wide of Harper’s post. Both sides went in at half-time level although the away side would be the more happier with their performance.

The second half was mostly dominated by Stevenage, but they couldn’t turn that possession into goals as the team again missed big chances to go back in front. Chris Beardsley never looked capable of scoring today and he missed a golden opportunity late on after being put clean through. You can tell now why his goal record isn’t anything to shout about at his previous clubs. Today he just seemed off the pace. He was quite slow and his first touch was poor. He’ll need to show a lot more in training next week if he is to start at Port Vale on Saturday.

Charlie Griffin also missed another simple chance in the air, while Bostwick and Bridges also went close. Without Boylan, Boro don’t seem to have a natural finisher in the side at the moment. I’m confident that if he’d been fit to play today then we may have won the game. Kettering were there for the taking and unfortunately we weren’t clinical enough to take all 3 points. Francis Green had a big chance late on which brought the best out of Chris Day at his near post, but that would have been harsh on Boro who didn’t deserve to lose.

In the end, a point isn’t a bad result away from home against one of the contenders for the play-offs at the end of the season, but I felt we played quite well today and were unlucky not to win the game. Next up for us is Port Vale in the FA Cup and they drew 1-1 today with Dagenham. They’re also 7 games unbeaten so it should be a good game.

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Kettering Preview

October 29, 2009 Leave a Comment

Boro look for equaliser last season at KetteringBoro face arguably their biggest game of the season against 3rd place Kettering Town at Rockingham Road this weekend. Graham Westley’s side, who currently sit 2nd, are six points behind table toppers Oxford United while Kettering are a point further back of Boro, but have a game in hand. 3 points in Northamptonshire would give Boro a bit of breathing space as they challenge for top spot.

Last season’s visit to Kettering was not a pleasant one. Westley’s newly formed side were struggling to find their feet and were in the bottom half of the table, while Mark Cooper’s team, promoted the previous season from the Conference North, were flying high in the top half of the division. In what was a close game, Stevenage lost 1-0 thanks to a first half Chris Beardsley strike, although they dominated the game late on and were unlucky not to come home with a point. The reverse fixture at Broadhall Way was a much more memorable game. Boro were beginning to reach top gear in the second half of the campaign and beat their play-off rivals thanks to a late Peter Vincenti winner. Sound familiar?

Westley is expected to keep faith with the team that started the FA Cup game last weekend at Chelmsford. The only changes I can see happening could be Mitchell Cole coming in for Eddie Odhiambo and Chris Beardsley coming back into the starting 11 to face his former club. Kettering lost influential defender Guy Branston in the summer and attacker Craig Westcarr to Burton and Notts County respectively, but again Mark Cooper has bought wisely in the summer. Francis Green, Ian Roper and Moses Ashikodi are just some of the signings that have already impressed the Poppies faithful. Ashikodi has been injured recently, but is expected to face Boro on Saturday.

Kettering is of course one of Westley’s former club’s and there has always been a bit of a rivalry between the clubs down the years. I remember that there was even a bit of crowd trouble before one of the games about 10-12 years ago, which is unheard of at Broadhall Way. The importance of the fixture has ‘watered down’ in recent years mainly due to Kettering being relegated from the top tier of the Conference in the early millenium. However, with both clubs challenging at the top again, the game has added importance again.

In the many trips I’ve made up the A14 in the past, I’ve always rather enjoyed going to Rockingham Road, although the ground is a dump. As usual, the Boro fans will be ‘housed’ at the end near the main stand with no roof. We usually take a fair number up there though and I don’t see any reason why we can’t do the same on Saturday. Boro’s away form has been good this season, with just the one defeat so far at Oxford. If we can play as well as did against the likes of Mansfield and Luton then I think we will win the game. Boro worked extremely hard in both of those games and will need to do the same to get anything from Kettering.

Stevenage Squad

Ashley Bayes, Chris Day, Scott Laird, Ronnie Henry, Jon Ashton, Mark Roberts, Mark Albrighton, Eddie Odhiambo, Michael Bostwick, Stacy Long, David Bridges, Darren Murphy, Andy Drury, Joel Byrom, Mitchell Cole, Yemi Odubade, Lee Boylan, Charlie Griffin, Chris Beardsley, Peter Vincenti

Prediction: Kettering 1-2 Boro

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Boro through to face Vale in Cup

October 27, 2009 Leave a Comment

Boro made hard work of it, but made it through safely to the 1st round proper of the FA Cup after beating Chelmsford City at Melbourne Park. Graham Westley named a strong side, knowing that the Blue Square South side would be no pushovers. Eddie Odhiambo came back into the side on the left wing while Yemi Odubade once again partnered the in form Charlie Griffin upfront. Chelmsford had some familiar faces in their line up with John Martin starting and Ollie Berquez and Danny Hockton on the bench.

The first half was a funny affair. Boro had the majority of possession, but didn’t do anything with it. In fact, I don’t remember their goalkeeper having to make a save in the first 45 minutes. Chelmsford defended well, but to be honest, Stevenage lacked a killer touch in the final third to make their dominance pay off. Chelmsford were the ones though who took the lead against the run of play. Rob Edmans, who impressed in attack got the goal, rounding Chris day before slotting into an empty net.

To be fair, Boro never panicked and always looked capable of creating chances to get back into the game. Michael Bostwick was closing everything down in midfield while the pace of Yemi was always an outlet Boro could look to exploit. Westley’s side went in at half time 1-0 down, but not out of the tie by a long way.

Stevenage were by far the better side in the second half. Chelmsford were barely given a chance to extend their lead as the Blue Square Premier side tried to get back into the game. Although the team created chances, either the final ball was lacking or the finishing was not good enough. Boro went more direct in the second half with Griffin the aim, but he hardly won a ball in the air all afternoon. The former Salisbury man was also guilty of missing some chances, but got it right in the end when he guided a Joel Byrom cross into Ashley Harrison’s net. It was a simple goal that had been coming for a while.

Boro were back in the game and there only looked like one team that could go on and win it. Westley brought on Cole to try and inject some pace into the side, but he failed to make an impact on the game. Griffin then went from hero to zero when he missed a glaring open goal. The game looked like it was petering out to a draw and a replay as Boro were failing to make their chances count. GW threw on Peter Vincenti in the hope that the supersub would again save Boro. Yemi Odubade, who was becoming a growing threat to the tiring City backline worked his way down the right flank before his cross found Vincenti who stroked the ball home. It had come late, but it was good enough to put the Hertfordshire side into the 1st round proper and earn themselves a trip up to Port Vale in just under 2 weeks time.

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Chelmsford Preview

October 23, 2009 Leave a Comment

Boro have a break from league action this Saturday as the FA Cup campaign starts against Chelmsford City. It was only a few months ago that Boro faced Chelmsford in a pre-season friendly where Charlie Griffin and Chris Beardsley both scored Boro won by 2-1.

Chelmsford find themselves in 11th place in Conference South despite winning 3 of their last 5 league games. In the cup they have certainly for pedigree for success by scoring 9 goals in their two FA Cup games this season albeit against lower opposition. Saturday will be a massive test for Chelmsford and potentially a big scalp but certainly will not be easy for Boro either as a big crowd is expected and huge optimism in the local area. Chelmsford have several well known players who have played against us and played for us in the past. Danny Hockton, John Martin and Ollie Berquez are all part of the setup and could face their former team. Former Daggers midfielder David Rainford and Histon forward Antonio Murray are other threats Chelmsford possess and are certainly a team capable to causing an upset. Chelmsford have a strange ground with a running track around the edge and one stand to speak of it does have plenty of space to stand and a few seats stuck to a wall opposite the main stand.

“I was lucky to be involved in a quarter-final match at Ipswich Town and it still holds its magic for everyone. The support of the fans on the day will be enormous and I’m not sure our supporters realise how important they are. When we have a big crowd who are fully behind the lads it gives them such a massive lift and when away sides come here and are up against that wall of sound it can have a deflating effect on them. The Claret Army are vital and they can be that twelfth man for us.” Chelmford veteran Steve Ward on his teams chances (CCFC Official site).

For Stevenage it’s another chance to cement a place in history in a competition that has brought some success in the past. We all remember the big games such as Newcastle, Birmingham and Leicester and I’m sure Graham Westley and his players would all love to get the opportunity to face a big team again and possibly make a name for themselves. Westley took Farnborough to Highbury to lose 5-1 to Arsenal before his controversial move to Broadhall Way in 2003. It’s a welcome break and a good opportunity to play some other players who haven’t played too many games this season such as Stacy Long and Peter Vincenti.

Team News

Boro have no new injury injury concerns after the goalless draw against Wrexham on Tuesday however Andy Drury is a doubt after picking up a knock against Salisbury. Michael Brough is unlikely to play after his loan spell finished this week and no new deal has been confirmed. Mitchell Cole managed 45 minutes against Wrexham could start and the FA Cup could invite some fringe players to get a rare start. David Bridges and Lawrie Wilson are out however Eddie Odhiambo could feature.

Chelmsford have a couple of injury problems including former Boro man Ollie Berquez and defender Ben Martin who are almost certain to miss tomorrows game with a foot and hamstring injury respectively. Danny Hockton could be fit but will face a late fitness test.

Possible team- Day, Henry, Roberts, Ashton, Laird, Long, Bostwick, Murphy, Cole, Odubade, Griffin  Subs Bayes, Vincenti, Byrom, Beardsley, Albrighton

Lopo’s Prediction Chelmsford 1-2 Stevenage

In other news Stevenage reserves were thrashed 7-1 by Colchester on Wednesday night. A very young side was put out against what has to be said a fairly strong Colchester team which included Steven Gillespie, Alan Maybury, Matt Heath, Simon Hackney and Paul Reid. Two hammering defeats in a row leave Boro languishing at the bottom of the reserve league.

Lopo

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Boro frustrated as they are held to Wrexham

October 21, 2009 Leave a Comment

It was a frustrating night at the Lamex Stadium last night as Boro were held to a 0-0 draw by Wrexham. It wasn’t the best game you will ever see and with the rain just before the game the pitch was very slick which made it difficult to control for both sides. Boro made one change to Saturday with Chris Beardsley starting in place of Andy Drury who again seems to be struggling to keep fit this season. With Beardsley starting alongside Yemi Odubade and Charlie Griffin in a 3 man attack. Wrexham’s team included veteran’s Frank Sinclair and Gareth Taylor and former Boro man Ashley Westwood was on the bench.

The game started slowly and the fist half chance came to Wrexham as Marc Williams shot from distance straight to Chris Day. Boro went close from Charlie Griffin who found himself on the end of Scott Laird’s cross and after missing his first shot completely his second attempt was smartly saved by Maxwell in the Wrexham goal. Boro continued to press with little end product which told a story of the night from both teams really. Yemi continued to work hard up front but found the conditions difficult and the general feeling was in the first half we lacked width with Brough moving inside from the left most of the time.

Gareth Taylor was then ridiculed by Boro fans for elbowing Scott Laird half hour in. What most annoyed me however was the back chat between Laird and Taylor. As Boro kept pressing Wrexham were a bit more relaxed and seemed to be playing for the draw similar to Salisbury on Saturday. Griffin headed wide and Murphy also had an effort but failed to test Maxwell.

The second half saw Mitchell Cole introduced in place of Chris Beardsley who never really settled on the left. Cole certainly gave more width on the left however he only had a couple of chances to really run at Curtis Obeng however the right back’s pace also kept Cole fairly quiet. It seemed a shame that Cole or Yemi weren’t given a chance to run at Frank Sinclair who looked uncomfortable for most of the evening and when tested we seemed to get success. Plenty of direct balls into the box towards Griffin who was marked extremely well by Mansour Assoumani and dominated most aerial battles. When Cole came on, Brough moved to right wing and I thought did quite well however when Stacy Long is available on the bench and a lot more suited to that position, why does Westley seem to over look the former Ebbsfleet man. I think Long needs a chance of a run in one position instead of wasting time on the bench.

Controversy in the second half was experienced striker Gareth Taylor getting away with not getting a second yellow for blantantly kicking the ball away in frustration when he was flagged offside. Such a stupid thing to do when booked as Mark Roberts experienced not too long ago. Roberts was quick to make his point along with 1600 Boro fans however Taylor escaped any further punishment.

As time went on we continued to look to win the game however Wrexham also grew in confidence as substitute  Adrian Cieslewicz tested Ronnie Henry more down the left when Peter Vincenti came onto replace Michael Brough on the right wing. Wrexham started to find more space in between the midfield and defence however never really took advantage of some sloppy play. The best chance of the whole game came to Joel Byrom who missed from 10 yards out on his favoured left foot after a peach of a cross from Yemi Odubade. With the keeper pretty much out of his goal Byrom steered the ball just wide.

Wrexham had a couple of half chances and corners that were defended well and in the end the game petered out into a draw. At the end I felt it was more two points dropped than one gained however we are still very well placed and as long as we can turn more draws into wins I’m still very confident we can challenge Oxford and push on.

Lopo

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Boro Roll On & Wrexham Preview

October 20, 2009 Leave a Comment

Boro’s good form continued on Saturday with a hard working win against Salisbury. Boro lined up with Bostwick one again at centre half and Yemi Odubade continuing up front alongside former Salisbury man Charlie Griffin. Once again Lee Boylan and Mitchell Cole missed out through injury and they were joined by Eddie Odhiambo who picked up a knock last week against Hayes & Yeading. There was a return to the bench for Jon Ashton after several weeks out with a shoulder injury. Salisbury lined up with 4-5-1 and throughout the game looked like they were settling for a draw. Surprisingly they left top scorer Matt Tubbs on the bench however their XI did include former Gillingham right back Sean Clohessy and experienced midfielder Darrel Clarke.

With two teams playing to a game plan it made the game quite scrappy at times however Boro were looking the most likely to score with Odubade going close twice once with a left footed shot deflected wide and after Andrew Drury’s cross he scuffed his shot straight at James Bittner. Darren Murphy went close from distance however Salisbury’s dogged defending it seemed long distance efforts was the most likely way of scoring.

Boro had to wait until just before half time to make the break through and it came from a simple free kick which was glanced over Bittner into the net from Mark Roberts who scored his first goal of the season on his 50th appearance for Boro. His impressive performances since joining last season have not gone unnoticed as he has won fans player of the year and obtained the captains armband in such a short space of time.

Going in at the break ahead seemed fair as Boro had dominated a high majority of the game however we all knew Salisbury would need to change tactics to get back into the game. Salisbury continued to struggle with Yemi’s pace and he went close again at the start of the second but again miss controlled straight to Bittner. Salisbury introduced Matt Tubbs and Chris Flood to great effect as Boro fell asleep Flood found himself through and slotting past Day in the Boro goal.

Boro responded well as Charlie Griffin came back to haunt his old club but scoring from close range and scoring his 4th goal in 2 games. Westley then brought Chris Beardsley on to replace Andy Drury and within seconds he found himself through to give Boro a 2 goal lead and all 3 points from an acute angle.

Wrexham Preview

On the back of the hardworking win against Salisbury, there is certainly no rest for Graham Westley’s side as they entertain Wrexham at the Lamex this evening. A team we have never beaten in our 3 meetings and in fact never even drawn against! Despite this there is a contrast in form between the two teams, Wrexham have won only 2 of their last 6 league  games one of which came against local rivals Luton who they thumped 3-0. Back in August 2008 Graham Westley’s first game back it was us being thumped 5-0 as all the pre season optimism seemed to deteriate in front of our own eyes and for the first time I found myself leaving before the end of the game for the long trip home!

Wrexham have a few doubts for this game, left back Sam Williamson is hoping to return from a hernia along with Matt Wolfenden who should be fit to play some part. Former Nottingham Forest striker Gareth Taylor is also in line to continue up front after scoring on Saturday against Grays.

Boro have several doubts but no new injury concerns ahead of tonights game however Westley could make a couple of changes to freshen up the squad with Stacy Long and Chris Beardsley pushing for starts.  Lawrie Wilson and David Bridges will miss out again however Jon Ashton will be hoping for a recall at centre half. Lee Boylan will almost certainly miss the game along with Mitchell Cole however Eddie Odhiambo could feature after picking up a knock on his ankle 10 days ago against Hayes & Yeading.

Potentially a tricky game tonight but I believe we should win this by the odd goal.

Lopo’s Prediction- Boro 2-1 Wrexham

In other news Craig Dobson has returned to Conference football with Mansfield. The former Boro winger had his best spell as a footballer with Boro scoring in the 2007 FA Trophy final at Wembley.

“I moved up north, left the London lights behind to get back to football.” Dobson on moving to Mansfield

Lopo

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