Christmas 2009: Reviewed

As usual, it has been a busy festive period for Stevenage Borough. Graham Westley’s side had not played a league game since the 5th December before they visited Cambridge United on Boxing Day and then hosted AFC Wimbledon 2 days later at Broadhall Way. It’s not over yet either with Cambridge visiting again on New Years Day.

So back to Boxing Day and that trip up the A10 to Cambridge. It wasn’t one I was particularly looking forward to after what happened back in May, but nonetheless it proved to be Boro’s day this time as they beat the U’s for the first time at the Abbey Stadium. After going 1-0 down early on to a Danny Crow penalty, things didn’t look good for Westley’s side, but they bounced back when Yemi Odubade equalised from the spot. A minute later Wayne Hatswell was sent off for violent conduct after a poor challenge on Chris Beardsley. The sending off changed the game as Cambridge tried to deal with a patchy defence.

After an average first half, Boro turned it on in the second half. Boss Westley made two attacking changes, bringing on Byrom and Griffin for Odhiambo and Albrighton. It definately made a difference and Stevenage went ahead just 10 minutes into the second half. Yemi Odubade attacked and his cross found Griffin who bundled the ball home from close range. Boro controlled the game once they went ahead, but Cambridge continued to attack even with just the 10 men. Robbie Wilmott had a long range effort saved by Chris Day while Danny Crow could of done better with an effort from close range.

Boro were closing the game out well before they stuck the final nail in Cambridge’s coffin. Ronnie Henry made another great run down the right and his cross found Chris Beardsley who secured all 3 points for the Hertfordshire side. A good 3-1 win against a team we always seem to struggle against away from home. Our away form has been our strong point this season with wins against the likes of Luton and Mansfield.

After a good boxing day victory still very fresh in the mind, Boro entertained AFC Wimbledon at Broadhall Way for the first time. The Dons brought a strong following up from South West London and their presence helped raise the atmosphere for the game. Westley decided to field a diamond shaped midfield with Stacy Long given a rare opportunity to impress. Joel Byrom also returned to the midfield alongside Darren Murphy and David Bridges. Chris Beardsley partnered Yemi up front.

AFC Wimbledon came for the draw and started in a 4-5-1 formation with Jon Main their sole striker. Ross Montague played off Main, while there was also a return to BHW for Sam Hatton who came through the club’s EFCO scheme. It was quite an entertaining game, with chances at both ends, but neither team could find the breakthrough. AFC Wimbledon looked the more dangerous in the first half and Boro had to be thankful for Chris Day after he made a superb stop from Jon Main’s header. Minutes later the visitors hit the bar from the resulting corner.

Boro were looking to attack as well and Chris Beardsley had a good chance to open the scoring, but saw his tame effort saved by Brown. Boro continued to attack the flanks using the wing backs to good effect. Laird and Henry impressed going forward, although Laird’s distribution at times was a let down. From a corner, Chris Beardsley had a free header go wide of the target. Both sides went into the break level after an end to end first half.

It was another fairly even half in the second. Beardsley had another chance when he was sent clear by Murphy, but his shot was saved again by Brown. If Graham Westley does decide to go into the market this January then surely a striker must be high up on his shopping list? I think Beardsley and Yemi have come in and done well, but they’re not going to get you 20 goals a season. They would be good strike partners for a forward that could score that amount of goals at this level.

As the game drew to a close, the Dons began to counter attack. Ricky Wellard came close after a good run from midfield ended with him shooting just wide of the target. GW reacted, throwing on Boylan and he came close to scoring after a quick turn and shot. Unfortunately for him and Boro, the effort was weak and comfortable for the Dons keeper. A 0-0 draw that keeps us two points away from Oxford who also drew against Salisbury. In some ways it was a disappointing result because I felt we had enough chances to win the game, but to be fair AFC Wimbledon did their job and could of even sneaked it as well. We’ll need to perform better on Friday when Cambridge come to Hertfordshire looking for revenge after that Boxing Day defeat.