FL2: Stevenage v Torquay Utd 18th Sept 2010

Oh well I do one for a change. I've seen all our away games this season and I'd say this was up there with the performance at Lincoln, just lacking the clincalness of that particular victory. We played an adapted 4-5-1, which could be described as a 4-2-3-1 with Gritton supported by Zebroski and Stevens and O'Kane given more of a "free-role" ahead of Mansell and Wroe. This was pleasing as I wanted to get a good look at Eunan O'Kane.

We started brightly with Zebroski continuing his fine form and O'Kane making immediate impact with direct running and clever passing. Most impressive, though, was Danny Stevens who beat a couple of players with neat skill before picking out Gritton whose shot went just over. While Stevenage looked menacing on the counter, much of their attacking threat came from balls over the top which Ellis and Branston gobbled up effectively as ever. At times it felt like we were in control but played one too many passes. After some industrious work by Zebroski (who had Darius Charles in a scramble on a few occasions in the first half) we got a thrown-in which ultimately led to a Nicholson cross that Robertson rose highest for, only for his header to come back off the top of the post/bar and frustratingly stay out. Quickly after that, Stevens again found himself in good space after good work from O'Kane, and after beating one player, he cut in and lashed a low shot at the near post which smashed the foot of the post and ricocheted off the beaten keeper for a corner. It was a shame to go in at half time at 0-0 as it was a very positive first forty-five minutes. Also note worthy was the disappointingly inconsistent referee who booked several of our players for fairly innocuous fouls, while failing to show the yellow card for similar offences to home players!

In the second half, we picked up where we left off with Eunan O'Kane finding himself a bit of room and winding up a terrific looking shot that beat the goalkeeper but flew just off target. Moments later and Zebroski ran through two defenders before being hauled down right outside the box. A well worked free-kick with Wroe and I think Mansell both looking favourites to take bamboozled the Stevenage defenders and the ball instead rolled its way to the left foot of Nicholson who smashed a crisp looking drive at a gaping goal - sadly it met the full face of the far upright and at this point it seemed like it just wasn't going to be our day. Stevenage grew a bit towards the last twenty minutes with Charlie Griffin beginning to win a few aerial battles with Branston, but pretty woeful finishing and general calmness from Bevan meant that overall there was little threat from our opposition. A few loose passes and a worrying injury to Mark Ellis characterised a limp last ten minutes. I reckon on another day we would have won that by a couple of clear goals, but it wasn't to be.

In my opinion, we were unlucky not to win and there are plenty of positives to take from the game. I shall ratings from 1 to 10 with 5 being just below average and 6 being just above average.

Bevan - 7 - did what he had to do, which was a lot of goal kicks and a handful of comfortable catches.
Nicholson - 7 - slow start but got going in the second half.
Branston - 7 - won all his battles in the first half, won most of them in the second.
Ellis - 7 - see Branston.
Robertston - 6 - solid.
Wroe - 5 - made some sloppy passes and lost the battle in midfield (although it was 2 on 3, to be fair)
Mansell - 6 - solid.
Stevens - 9 - very strong first-half, skilful and threatening, perhaps run out of steam towards the end of the game.
Zebroski - 8 - see Stevens, although made some sloppy passes towards the end.
O'Kane - 8 - he's going to be a star, this one, had a bright game and full of running, passing and skill.
Gritton - 7 - lead the line well, held the ball up effectively until he tired, Kee did alright for what little time he had.