Boro knocked out the Cup

If you missed the first game against Port Vale, well tonight was more or less the same, but without the dramatic injury time equaliser. Boro again were the better side for the majority of the game, but failed to convert their chances and ended up losing the game due to an error by captain Mark Roberts. The game also saw the Hertfordshire side lose their unbeaten home record which had stretched back to November last year when Wrexham won 2-1 at Broadhall Way.

Westley stuck with the same side that started at Vale Park. Ronnie Henry recovered from a knock he picked up on Saturday and started at right back. Drury was allowed space to roam while Yemi partnered Griffin in attack. Port Vale had a bit of a defensive crisis and moved midfielder Anthony Griffith to right back while bringing in Lee Collins to partner John McCombe. Goalscorer from the first game, Adam Yates was on the bench.

Boro began the game with a high tempo and got at Port Vale straight from the kick-off. Yemi Odubade had the first chance when he outpaced one of their centre halves and had a shot which was tipped over by Martin. Boro had shown the intent that they were going to attack from the off. Port Vale looked weak at the back and you felt Stevenage could exploit that at any time. The pace of Yemi was a threat all evening, but Griffin struggled in the air and Cole was non existant for most of the game. Boro didn’t make their possession count and the visitors began to find their way into the game.

After a first 10-15 minutes of constant Stevenage pressure, Vale nearly went ahead when Lewis Haldane was put through, but the former Bristol Rovers frontman failed to trouble Day. Boro went up the other end, but Griffin’s shot went wide. The game was beginning to even itself out when Vale scored. A huge mistake from Roberts allowed Lewis Dodds to break clear. His inital shot was saved, but he headed in the rebound to give Micky Adams’ side the lead. Boro didn’t deserve to be 1-0 down, but the league side had taken their chance, while Boro hadn’t.

At the beginning of the second half, GW brought on Darren Murphy to replace John Ashton and moved Michael Bostwick back to defence. The change seemed to work as Boro dictated more of the game in the second half. Charlie Griffin had another effort go wide, before Boro missed their best chance of the game. Yemi did well to beat his man and then put a superb through ball to Cole who took it on, but hit the post with his shot. I thought it was in and so did most of the BHW crowd. It summed up Boro’s night really. They played well and created chances, but were not clinical enough in front of goal. That was Cole’s contribution for the night!

Boro continued to attack and made more half chances, but didn’t ever really test the Vale keeper. At the other end, Vale began to rely more on the counter attack with the pacy Haldane troubling Henry often. I hate Lewis Haldane. I hated him at Oxford and I hate him more now. His attitude is a joke. He timewasted all night tonight and then to sum it all he swore at the Boro fans late on. No need for that and you would expect better from a ‘professional’!

“It’s a fantastic achievement by the lads and we have a great spirit in the camp. Everyone is playing their part – even the ones who didn’t perform today. They were here. We had a lot of players playing out of position really and we showed a lot of character. I’m really proud of them.” Sums up Port Vale really…

As the game went on, I just felt that Boro weren’t going to get that goal they deserved. Although they dominated the second period, they didn’t ever look like troubling Martin and he barely had a save to make all evening. Vale played out the rest of the game and got their win. You could tell how relieved they were after because of their celebrations. They acted as if they had just won the Cup, not beaten a non league side in a first round replay! Overall, a frustrating night, again due to our lack of quality in the final third. It’s good hitting 4 & 5 against the likes of Hayes & Yeading and Gateshead, but we need to improve our finishing against the top sides if we are to push on for promotion this season.