We’re almost there. Out of the post-Christmas gloom that is January. The weather might still be a bit rubbish, but at least there is cash to splash once again. Well, that is unless you haven’t been waiting six long weeks for the latest pay check to bounce land in the bank account. Here at BoroGuide HQ, we are treating ourselves to a couple of well-earned lager shandies being the party fiends we are. Anyway, let’s get past our social plans and onto more pressing matters: the latest exciting, thrilling chapter in the Stevenage Do League Two 2017 series.
It feels like the task of keeping the ball out of our net hasn’t been going to plan this month. Not since Newport away have Boro’ recorded a shut-out. Now, we’re only eight games down the line from that and we’re at no risk of setting any undesired records just yet. In conceding eight goals in four games this month, however, we’ve fallen well behind the mid-table cool kids. And the nerds at Barnet, too. We also lost to Hartlepool United for the first time ever. So, there could be a better time to be taking on a team who put five past us last time out.
Stevenage v Grimsby Town: For Cod’s Sake…
Yes, it’s Grimsby Town indoors. Call them The Mariners, the Mighty Mariners, Town or David Grimblesby if you will. But it’s a slightly underwhelming one as far as historic occasions go – the first time we’ve entertained the Lincolnshire side at the Lamex Stadium. That’s because, as we came up to the League in 2010, Grimsby were tumbling out for the first time in nearly 100 years. It took ’em six years to return but, to their credit, they’ve been making up for lost time this season. Going into this game, they’re just a point outside the playoff spots.
Like every feckin’ team this season it seems, the Mariners are a better bet on the road. The club has won six of their 13 games on their travels. It compares with a return of five wins from 14 at Blundell Park. One of them, of course, being us. Emphatically. An iffy sign for us, perhaps, is their mean defensive record away from home. It’s the fourth best in League Two, with just 13 goals in the Against column. And five of those goals came in their first two away games of the season. Not great when you’re tending to rely on scoring more than you concede.
If Boro’ can pull it together, we *could* finish the weekend in 15th position. That’s if we win and Crawley Town – coincidentally our opponents next week – don’t. The league position, however, isn’t what matters most – is it. No, we’d settle for a big upgrade on last week’s one-star showing at Hartlepool. It’s now over two months since we beat a side that wasn’t Newport County. That’s a stretch that could do with changing too. Hell, we’ll take anything that doesn’t leave us staring at the dregs in a pint glass on Saturday evening feeling grim…
Stevenage v Grimsby Town:
The Rowan Liburd FIFA 17 Verdict
As shit nil-nil draws go, this one was right on track after the regulation 45 minutes. Somehow, and we’re still at a loss to explain it, Matt Godden popped up in stoppage time to give Boro’ a priceless lead. It made a change from having four men swarming round Omar Bogle, desperately trying to get the ball. That desperation cost Fraser Franks his freedom place on the pitch on the hour mark. It seemed to liven us up though. On came Rowan Liburd (obvs!), but it was Godden and another stoppage time goal that sealed the deal. And the win.
BoroGuide’s Grimsby Town club profile – there’s nothing fishy about it…
