[Div3North]

Accrington Stanley

V

Stevenage FC

Prediction League – Game 17; v Stevenage (home)

Otherwise known as Ebbsfleet Old Boys, as those who – like me – dreamed the dream (Pick the team? In your dreams!) will realise; ex Fleet stalwarts Stacy Long and Michael Bostwick already there, and now Darius Charles, who signed in the summer; also joining were midfielder John Mousinho (ex Brentford, Wycombe and Notre Dame Fighting Irish (?!)), who averaged one goal per season in the last five; 3 month loan signing striker Chris Holroyd from Brighton; striker/winger Peter Winn, released by Scunthorpe (trying saying “winger Peter Winn” after a couple in the By the House!), who wrote to manager Graham Westley and was given a trial and then a contract, having played out on loan in the Places God Forgot (Gateshead, to name but one); 21 year-old striker (7 goals in 68 games!) Rob Sinclair from Salisbury (who played against us in the FA Cup game last season, although I don’t remember him – not that you would, when he scores every tenth game); and much-travelled defender Luke Foster from Mansfield. Birmingham midfielder James O’Shea (ex Galway) joined on a month’s loan at the end of October; their squad also includes 39 year old Dino Maamria – ex Doncaster, Southport and all stations west ……..

They won the Conference last season, and dropped the ‘Borough’ from their name (fishy please note!); you’ll all know the story about the 95/96 season Conference title which resulted in them being refused entry to the League because their ground wasn’t up to scratch. You’ll also remember that they won the FA Trophy in 2007 (3-2 over Kidderminster) and 2009 (2-0 over York), as well as losing to Barrow in this year’s final 2-1 in extra time, having had a man sent off early on by Lee Probert (whatever happened to him?). Ironically, the year Stevenage weren’t there (2007/8), it was won by Ebbsfleet, whose team included Stacy Long and Michael Bostwick (see above) plus Lance Cronin, Gillingham’s keeper in the recent Match Of Living Memory (7-4, lest we forget ……..) They won the Conference at a canter, by 11 points and with a goal difference of +55 (despite Chester’s record being expunged, and only 44 games counting).

Their League record so far is P16 W5 D8 L3 F19 A13 Pts23 for 8th place, one place and one point outside the playoffs; at the Lamex, it’s 2-5-1; away, it’s 3-3-2; they lost 4 of their first 8 in all competitions, but have only lost one of their last 11; out of the Carling 2-1 at home to Pompey (hiya Chimer!) and out of the JPT 1-0 at home to Brentford, both in the First Round and both before August was over; still in the FA Cup, with a replay at MK Dons following the goalless draw at the Lamex back on the 6th November; their League away form comprises wins at Lincoln 1-0, Hereford 4-1 (both before their revivals started) and 3-0 at Barnet; they’ve drawn at Aldershot and Rotherham (1-1) and Morecambe (0-0) and lost at Bradford and Cheltenham, both by the odd goal in one. So no thrashings, then; not lost 3-0, 3-2, 4-2 or 5-2. Yet!

We’ve not met in the League; the last three seasons before we came up resulted in 22 goals over the 6 games (no season’s matches had less than 6 goals in all), and included a 5-0 drubbing away and a 4-1 revenge victory (in the same season). Their leading scorers so far are Chris Holroyd with 6, Mousinho and Charlie Griffin with three each, and eight others with one each

And I promise not to mention that we’re two points above the drop zone; but then, Stevenage are only 8 points clear ……….

The deadline for entries is, as ever, scheduled kick-off time, which is 3pm on Saturday 20th November. Surely not another draw? The big win we’re due? (we’ve drawn 2 and lost 4 of the 6 games since we murdered Gillingham). 3 points and a boring game, or a losing thriller? Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen; losing bets refunded ……….

Good luck to everyone ………… and thanks for playing!