Thanks to NTM (BoroPics)
Stevenage failed to defend the FA Trophy in yesterday's final after being beat 2-1 by Barrow
in extra time. It was a bitter end to one of the best season's in the club's history. Andy Drury
looked to have set Boro on their way as they went ahead after just 10 minutes, but the sending off
of David Bridges changed the game.
The first player to extend his contract with Stevenage this summer is Charlie Griffin according
to this morning's NLP. The paper says that he has signed a one year deal and plans to return from
injury in time for pre-season. It's the first bit of news that we've heard regarding new contracts
for both players and the management and I think it's safe to assume that Westley's contract has
been sorted if he has started talking to players about next season.
The pre-season schedule continued at full pace last night as Boro travelled to Essex to play
Chelmsford City of the Blue Square South. Stevenage were on a high going into the game after 2 good
wins against Yeovil and Histon respectively, but they were brought back to earth with a bump after
a scrappy encounter against the Clarets.
Boro drew their first ever game in the football league against Macclesfield this afternoon,
coming from behind to salvage a point late on. The game started well for the new boys. Peter
Vincenti, a surprise starter, headed home the first League 2 goal of the season after just 7
minutes. The joy didn't last long though when Nat Brown headed an equaliser.
Boro 3-1 Stockport (Griffin 2, Bostwick)
Highlights (to come tomorrow) | Westley Interview
Stevenage secured their first win in the football league with a comfortable 3-1 victory against
Stockport County. Two goals from Charlie Griffin, plus a stunning strike from Michael Bostwick gave
Boro a 3-0 lead before Stockport sneaked a consolation at the end when George Donnelly headed
home.
Boro are back in action tomorrow night as Brentford visit Broadhall Way in the Johnstone's Paint
Trophy. Stevenage's last action in this competition came back in the 2005/2006 season when Graham
Westley's side lost 2-0 at Swindon Town. This was back in the days when the Football League
Trophy, to give it its full title, allowed the top teams from the Conference to enter, but Boro
never did that well in it in the four seasons they participated in it.
Chris Beardsley has been ruled out for the next six weeks after dislocating his shoulder in the
Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat to Brentford last week. It looked like a fairly innocuous
challenge at first, but the Boro striker will now miss a crucial period of the season including
games against Cheltenham, Lincoln and Wycombe.
Tim Sills: Rushden bound
It's been a busy day at Broadhall Way. It's almost like they've just found out how to put news
on the new site and it's all come at once. First came the confirmation of Chris Holroyd's loan
move that broke yesterday afternoon via Brighton's local paper. Holroyd has signed a 3 month deal
until Boxing Day and is in line to make his debut at Lincoln tomorrow.
Griffin: Not in favour at the moment
Charlie Griffin hasn't played for Boro since the 2nd October when Wycombe beat us 2-0 at
Broadhall Way. Amazing to think really considering he was our main goal threat in the opening weeks
of the season. Griffin netted the equaliser in the club's first league game against Macclesfield
back in August and then hit two more against Stockport a few weeks later.
