Trophy game to be called off again?

Boro’s game with Vauxhall Motors tomorrow night looks likely to be postponed again as the freezing conditions continue to disrupt the club’s fixture list. The initial game was called off at the weekend due to snow and ice both on the pitch and around the ground. Conditions have improved since then, but the game may come too quick for the pitch to recover totally. Stevenage announced on the official site earlier today that there will be a pitch inspection on the morning of the game. I expect that the inspection will be done early enough so that any Vauxhall Motors supporters making the trip down to Hertfordshire can know whether the game is definately on or not before they leave Merseyside.

If the game is postponed again then the plan is to play the game on Tuesday 19th January. This was originally the date that Stevenage were supposed to travel down to play Eastbourne in the league, but that has now been postponed due to Eastbourne’s Trophy game with Cambridge being re-arranged for that date. If Boro fail to get the game on tomorrow night then they could have to wait until the following Tuesday to get any action in at all. The Wrexham game is also looking doubtful with the Racecourse Ground still frozen as the ‘big freeze’ continues in North Wales.

When the 2nd round is finally completed and if Boro do beat Vauxhall Motors, then Fleetwood Town or Dover Athletic will be the team’s next opponents at home. It’s the 3rd straight home draw this season for Boro after games against Ebbsfleet and Vauxhall Motors. Again it is a draw that Graham Westley and his players will be expecting to win. However, both Dover and Fleetwood are fighting at the top of the Blue Square South & North respectively and will not be easy opponents. Dover have enjoyed a few good seasons with Andy Hessentialer at the helm, while Fleetwood are 2nd in the North, 3 points behind leaders Southport. They even play at Highbury…

Away from the weather and the Trophy, Stevenage are being linked with the signing of Glen Southam from Bishop’s Stortford. According to a rumour on BoroChat, the information that Southam has joined Boro is from a coach at Stortford? Southam was previously with Dagenham and also enjoyed a short loan spell at Hereford last season. I don’t believe that the rumour is true as I doubt that GW will be looking to add to his already packed midfield, but if it does turn out to be true, then I think it is a positive move. Southam has a lot of experience at this level and knows how to get promotion from this division after being part of the title winning Dagenham side in 2007.

Lastly, Chester are looking for their fourth manager in 9 months after Jim Harvey resigned. Harvey, formerly of Morecambe and Forest Green, is now favourite to take over at Kidderminster. The Harriers have been without a boss since Mark Yates took over Cheltenham Town last month. Chester look destined for relegation to the Blue Square North as they are still on -3 points and a massive 25 points from safety.