Stevenage Borough Football Club

Borough gave their play-off aspirations a much needed shot in the arm with a comfortable victory on a balmy Spring evening in Yorkshire. Kik-Kat Crescent has been a happy hunting ground for Stevenage in recent years and so it proved on this occasion.

After a tight first half Borough opened up after the interval and a goal apiece for the strike force set them on their way to a valuable three points. A far post header from Lee Boylan and close-range effort from Steve Morison were always going to be enough to win this encounter.

There were two changes from Saturday’s draw with Oxford United, one was enforced with David Bridges sidelined with a knee injury, and manager Graham Westley opting to drop Junior Mendes to the bench. In came Gary Mills and Darren Murphy to forge a new central midfield partnership, with Michael Bostwick moving to an unfamiliar berth on the right side of midfield.

Borough began with the confidence of a side that has enjoyed an extended unbeaten run, but despite holding sway in all departments, chances were few and far between. The best early opportunity was set up by the influential Gary Mills, who picked out Steve Morison with a delightful through ball, but Borough’s top marksman failed to outmuscle the York centre back.

Despite Stevenage’s early control it was York who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening half an hour when Daniel McBreen met a cross with a powerful near post header that Chris Day did well to bundle round the post.

With the half drifting to a tame conclusion, Morison almost edged Borough in front when he met a corner by Ronnie Henry with a powerful header that was deflected inches wide of the post.

Stevenage began the second period in sprightly fashion with Bostwick testing Michael Ingham in the York goal with a dipping drive from 25 yards, but that was soon bettered. After good interchange with Mitchell Cole, Scot Laird swung in a delightful deep cross and Lee Boylan rose at the far post to beat Ingham from close range.

Borough continued to apply the pressure. Morison tested the goalkeeper from a tight angle and then fired a cross low across the six yard area that somehow eluded the onrushing ensemble of white shirts. It was Morison again who carved York apart, sending in a low ball to Murphy ten yards from goal. The midfielder controlled the ball, spun his marker but screwed his shot horribly wide with the goal gaping.

York briefly roused themselves and forced a series of corners, but these were comfortably dealt with by the two centre backs, ably assisted by Morison. Borough were soon back on the attack with Bostwick again testing Ingham from long range, this time 30 yards.

The home side were restricted to playing on the break and on one of these rare forays forward, Brodie almost earned his side a reprieve when he was tackled by Jon Ashton right on the edge of the area. Fortunately for Stevenage the referee deemed the offence to have taken place outside the area, and Ben Purkiss fired the freekick over the bar.

Stung into action, Borough sprung forward and Morison earned them some breathing space when he sidefooted home from close range. The striker came close to adding to his tally moments later when he drove across the York defence before slamming his effort against the crossbar.

Brodie forced a smart save from Day at the foot of his left post as York strove for a fingerhold in the match, but Borough always had plenty in hand to blunt the home side’s best efforts..

The victory sets Stevenage up nicely for Saturday’s vital trip to Agborough with renewed belief that the dream of a double trip to Wembley is within their grasp.

STEVENAGE BOROUGH (4-4-2) C Day – R Henry, M Roberts, J Ashton, S Laird – M Bostwick, G Mills, D Murphy (Sub: M Albrighton,89), M Cole (Sub: J Mendes, 90) – L Boylan (Sub: P Vincenti, 80) S Morison. Substitutes not used: A Bayes, C Willock, Booked: Bostwick,Murphy, Day,