Morison 32, 61

Cole 53

Bridges 90

Stevenage Borough eased into the last eight of the FA Trophy as they comfortable despatched runaway league leaders Burton Albion at the Lamex Stadium on Saturday afternoon. A brace from Steve Morison was complemented with goals from an in form Mitchell Cole and a stupendous strike from David Bridges as Borough once again hit Albion for four.

 

There was only one change from the team that eventually saw off Kettering on Tuesday evening, with a surprise return for Lee Boylan to the starting line up, replacing Lawrie Wilson who was relegated to the bench.

 

Andy Drury and Darren Murphy both had efforts early on but it was John McGrath for Burton who looked closest to finding the net. His first effort was deflected wide from 20 yards. His second should have hit the target at least. He burst into the box only to see his shot slice wide.

 

Borough had a frenetic period just before the goal. Boylan saw his shot saved well and Cole shot well wide from the rebound. The ball came back into the box for Morison to curl goalwards, Boylan struck from the clearance and Murphy claimed a handball with his strike before Morison blazed over.

 

The warning signs were there and so it was no surprise when Cole raced down the left hand side to deliver a wicked cross for Morison to control and fire past Poole. It was a deserved lead that became a challenged one as Albion attempted to strike back.

 

McGrath saw yet another shot turned wide well by Chris Day who flung himself acrobatically to his left. Marc Goodfellow saw a fortuitous effort clatter off the post as the wind turned his cross goalwards, but by far the save of the day came just before half time. Shaun Harrad was free in the area with only Day to beat, but the Borough number one turned the ball over from a venomous shot to preserve the lead.

 

Borough had held off the main charge and the second half was dominated by Stevenage. There were efforts galore most notably from Drury as he chased down Poole’s clearance only to see his block fly just wide of the post, Poole saved an embarrassing moment.

 

There was nothing Poole could do about the second goal when it came. Morison laid a lovely ball off to Cole whose left footed shot deflected off Stride and bounced dramatically over the line leaving Poole stranded.

 

Minutes later Morison had added to his tally for the season, Poole came rushing out of his goal making it easy for Morison to loft it over him and into the net. He searched for his hat trick but was denied by the post after a good save from Poole.

 

The day was rounded off with the strike of the afternoon. Bridges had come close all game but when he was set free on the right hand side his shot was true, evading the outstretched hand of Poole and dipping into the net.

 

It is an inspiring win for Borough who are now on a impressive run. Graham Westley could be in with a shout with the Manager of the Month award, Borough though should gain a lot of the credit as they continue to perform well in both league and cup competitions. With a result like this, it will send a message throughout the entire Blue Square Premier.

Stevenage Borough (4-4-2) C Day, R Henry, M Bostwick, M Roberts, S Laird – A Drury, D Murphy, D Bridges (Sub: G Mills, 90mins), M Cole (Sub: P Vincenti, 88mins) – L Boylan (Sub: L Wilson, 71mins), S Morison. Substitutes Not Used: A Bayes, P Vincenti, G Mills, C Willock