Salisbury Preview

Boro travel down to Salisbury this weekend as they continue their pursuit of top spot in the Blue Square Premier. With leaders Oxford playing in the FA Cup against Barrow tomorrow afternoon, Stevenage have the perfect opportunity to close the gap ahead of the midweek fixtures in the Blue Square Premier. We travel to lowly Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night, while the U’s face a difficult trip away at Crawley. All things going well, Boro could be top by the 2nd December!

It wasn’t that long ago that we played Salisbury at Broadhall Way. Nick Holmes brought his side to Hertfordshire on the 17th October, where he saw his side comfortably beaten 3-1 with one of his former players, Charlie Griffin getting on the scoresheet for Boro. Mark Roberts opened the scoring that day before substitute Chris Flood equalised. Griffin restored Boro’s lead before Chris Beardsley sealed the three points late on with a good finish just minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Salisbury have only won 1 game in the league since their defeat against Boro. Rushden beat them 3-1 at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium last Saturday and that was followed up in midweek by a 2-0 defeat away against Crawley. After looking into their results so far this season it looks like City seem to be quite suseptable to conceding late goals. The Rushden game last weekend was 0-0 until the 79th minute when Paul Terry put Diamonds ahead. A further brace from Aaron O’Connor either side of a Darrell Clarke strike were enough to give Rushden the 3 points. 

“They have got a lot of energy and a lot of brightness about them. They have a good tactician in Tommy Widdrington and they are a dangerous outfit, no doubt about it.” Westley on Salisbury

Although I agree with Westley’s view that Salisbury are a good side, you wouldn’t of guessed it looking at the BSP table at the moment. City are currently in 18th position with 20 points to their name, 24 behind us. Salisbury were just outside the play-offs before they played us in October, coming off the back of a 5 match unbeaten run, but since the defeat against Boro they have won just the 1 game against Eastbourne. They will be hoping for a repeat of this at the weekend.

“It’s a chance to win three points, and that is where our focus is. We are enjoying putting some distance between us and the chasing pack and we want to make sure we are in the main event come the turn of the year.” Westley’s view on keeping in the race for the title

Stevenage go into the game in good form. They are still unbeaten in the league since August and have won their last 3 league games on the bounce, scoring 8 goals in the process. Graham Westley has a few decisions to make with regards to his selection. With a relatively injury free squad at the moment, most of his decisions will be based on form. Darren Murphy misses out due to suspension, so I expect David Bridges to return alongside Byrom and Bostwick in a 3 man midfield. I think Charlie Griffin will also come back in to the side in the place of Chris Beardsley while I expect Yemi & Andy Drury to retain their places.

It is a potentially tricky game and a repeat of last season’s result would be nice, although I would like Griffin’s goals to be for us this time. I think we will win the game if we play to our best, which will put a bit of pressure on Oxford when they go to Crawley on Tuesday night. We’ve been very solid away from home this season, picking up a lot of 1-0 wins or 1-1 draws. With Salisbury tending to tire late on in games then Mitchell Cole and Yemi Odubade could be vital for us at the weekend and I think if we use them wisely they could be the matchwinners.

Stevenage Squad

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

Prediction: Salisbury 0-1 Boro