Trophy trail begins with win over Ebbsfleet

Stevenage Borough comfortably beat Ebbsfleet United yesterday afternoon to maintain their outstanding FA Trophy record. Goals in either half from Chris Beardsley and David Bridges were enough to see off the 2008 winners. I’m pretty sure boss Graham Westley would of swapped the win yesterday with 3 points just over 10 days ago when Boro slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Liam Daish’s side, but nonetheless his team has bounced back well after that disappointment with 2 good, home victories.

GW named a stronger team than I expected with only Stacy Long and Michael Bostwick coming in to the team that beat Kidderminster a week ago. Mark Albrighton and Andy Drury made way. Long was given a chance to show what he could do on the right hand side against his former club and had a good game. On the other flank, Mitchell Cole, again, had another solid game. He was replaced late on by Albrighton as Boro tried to see the game out. Stefan Bailey, who’s two goals beat Boro a week ago, started in midfield alongside Gavin Heeroo. Magno Vieira began the game up front on his own.

Boro dominated the game for long spells, but again were found frustrated as they missed chance after chance. It was the home side that had the first opportunity when Michael Bostwick had a free-kick saved by Lance Cronin and Jon Ashton failed to convert the rebound. The Broadhall Way crowd didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal when a well worked free-kick from Long found Cole who crossed for Chris Beardsley to finish from close range. A well worked goal from 3 players who have been in and out of the team this season.

Boro continued to be the attacking force in the second half and about 10 minutes into the half, Long set up Cole again, who ran at Ross Smith before firing over. Cole was involved in most of Boro’s attacks and he had another chance soon after, but this time his effort grazed the bar. Yemi Odubade returned from injury in the second half, replacing Charlie Griffin, who had another frustrating afternoon. Yemi was soon in the action when he glanced a Cole cross just wide. It looked like Boro would just have to do with the 1 goal, but late on David Bridges fired in from outside the box after another Cole cross.

A good home win for Boro, who will now have a second round tie on the 9th January 2010. The draw is on Monday and I’m sure that GW will want another home tie hopefully against lower league opposition. Next up is Barrow, again at Broadhall Way. Barrow beat Kettering at Rockingham Road yesterday and are in quite good form at the moment so it won’t be an easy game.