Griffin scores only goal as Boro close the gap

Stevenage carried on their unbeaten run in the Blue Square Premier as they recorded a 1-0 win away at Salisbury City thanks to a Charlie Griffin strike just before half-time. Boro are now just 2 points away from Oxford United, who were held at home against Barrow today in the FA Cup 2nd round. Oxford’s draw now means that their game against Hayes & Yeading will have to be re-arranged and the U’s will have to make the long journey to Barrow instead on a Tuesday night.

Boro again proved that they can win the hard way yesterday afternoon. The away record has been very impressive this season and is a big reason why they are in the position they are in now. I just wish we had won a few of them draw’s at the beginning of the campaign. The Hayes & Yeading game comes to mind. If we were playing that fixture now, I’d be very confident of going there and winning comfortably, but back in August we struggled to even get a point. However, the confidence is now high at the club and at the moment we don’t look like we can get beat in this league. We had a similar run last season and we’ll need to keep it going this if we are to be in the mix come the end of April.

“I thought we were good value for the lead at half-time. The boys were solid and strong and organised. They gave nothing away and built possession patiently. Over the 90 minutes I thought we deserved the three points.” Westley on a hard fought win away from home

Yesterday’s win keeps the pressure right on Oxford, who are known for crumbling in the past. When they first came down into the BSP, they led the league for a while before they were eventually overtaken by Dagenham, who in the end won promotion to League 2. Oxford are a good side and I think who ever finishes above them, will win the league. It will be interesting to see how they react now though after hitting a bit of a rough patch. So far in November, United have won 2 and lost 1 of the 3 league games they’ve played. They’ve also only scored 3 goals in the league all month.

Graham Westley’s side have another away game on Tuesday night when they travel to Ebbsfleet United, who are struggling at the bottom of the Blue Square Premier. The Kent side have suffered massively this season, due to a lack of investment in the squad and are only 1 place above rock bottom Chester. Although it looks like a straight forward away win, going to Stonebridge Road is never easy as Boro know only too well from last August’s performance.

Away from the league and Kettering held Leeds United to a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup and were then drawn Manchester United at Old Trafford if the Third Round, if they win the replay. It’s a great draw for the club, who’s future has been thrown into doubt this week after rumours surfaced that chairman Imraan Ladaak was about to sell up due to problems over the Rockingham Road ‘Stadium’. Other teams from the Blue Square Premier to make it into round 3 were Forest Green who now have a tie against Notts County and York City, who have been rewarded with an away trip to Stoke City after they beat Cambridge United 2-1 at the Abbey Stadium. Port Vale, who beat Boro in the 1st round, were knocked out of the competition after losing 1-0 to Huddersfield at home.