Chester Preview

Tomorrow night see’s the league’s bottom club, Chester City visit Broadhall Way for the first time since the opening day of the 2003/2004 season. Chester won the Conference that season after finishing 1 point clear of Hereford United, who were arguably the better side. Stevenage, with Westley at the helm, finished in 8th position, but took 4 points off the eventual champions which included a 2-1 win at the Deva Stadium. More shockingly, Rocky Baptiste scored in that game for Boro.

City have had many problems since their promotion back to the football league and they were finally relegated back to the non league after going into administration. City’s problems continued in the summer when they were docked another 10 points before a ball was even kicked ahead of their return to the Conference. The future of the club has been in the balance for a while, but things finally look to be sorting themselves out. After Mark Wright left the club again during the summer, the experienced Mick Wadsworth, who once applied for the Boro job, took charge, but soon left after a dismal start to the campaign. Former Forest Green manager Jim Harvey is now in charge of City and has another relegation battle to survive.

The two sides have already met this season. Boro ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a early Michael Bostwick goal. In fact, the match at the Deva was similar to the game on Saturday against Forest Green. Boro were the dominant force for most of the game, but couldn’t extend on their 1 goal. Chester have lost their last 3 games in the league including Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at home to Altrincham. Their last win was away against Grays when Nick Chadwick’s brace helped the Cheshire side to victory. Boro are unbeaten in their last 15 league games and have only been beaten once this season by leaders Oxford.

Graham Westley must decide whether to recall Charlie Griffin to the starting 11 after he missed Saturday’s game due to illness. Lee Boylan scored in that game and must be confident of retaining his place. It will also be interesting to see whether GW brings back Mitchell Cole. I don’t think Cole has been that effective this season and he was dropped for the Forest Green game. Yemi is in good form and Chris Beardsley had a solid game at the weekend so I think the manager may stick with the same front 3. Chester boss Jim Harvey slammed his players ‘not good enough’ after the weekend’s defeat so he could make a few changes.

“The truth is some of the boys in there are not good enough. As a group of players they are going to find it really difficult this year.” Harvey on Chester this season

On paper it looks like a home banker and I think with Chester’s recent record and the amount of goals they’ve conceded recently, I’d be very surprised if we didn’t win the game comfortably. City have conceded 9 goals in their last 3 games and are low in confidence. The long journey down to Hertfordshire on a Tuesday night won’t make the game any more easier for the visitors. We bounced back well on Saturday against FGR, but still need to be more clinical in front of goal. Sooner or later we’re going to be caught out for not killing teams off, so tomorrow night is a perfect opportunity to put that right.

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: Boro 3-1 Chester City