Up and away we go for the weekend – and Boro’ get on the board at last with two league goals. Back we come, however, and we’re back to losing to nil. At least, we hope, we can say it was only the Leasing.com Trophy. Now we’ve found out how to score league goals, some more would be just lovely Alan against the Robins. After all, there’s one more code for us to crack – and that’s to actually win a game of football. How hard can it ruddy be?
Cheltenham Town v Stevenage: The Preview…
Who are Cheltenham Town?
For a Boro’ side who could do with a leg up this season, a trip to Cheltenham is almost ideal. In recent years, the Robins have been most kind to us. Since a 1-0 defeat in our early days as a Football League club nine years ago, we’re undefeated against ’em. In fact, all eight wins we’ve clocked up against them have come in the nine meetings that followed. And we’ve normally been good for a goal against ’em too. No pressure, Dino.
Our Record vs Cheltenham Town: P 17 — W 8 — D 4 — L 5 — F 25 — A 13 — Pts 27
Last time out: Stevenage 2-0 Cheltenham Town, 04 May 2019
What’s their current form?
Two wins, two draws and two wrong ‘uns is their return from the start of the 2019-20 League Two season. Two wins, two draws and two wrong ‘uns is their return from their opening six. It starts to bode less well for us when you break it down into home and away.
Got a fun Cheltenham Town fact?
In winning the 2015-6 Conference title, the Robins became the first side since Darlington in 1990 to secure an immediate return to the Football League as champions. And, like us, they *can* legit tell us they’ve won the Conference twice.
Can you dig it?
We don’t own a spade.
What are the bookies saying?
The bookies are looking at a home win as being the most likely outcome. But they’re not totally convinced; 23/20 your best price at the moment. For us to win, you could get 11/4.
Who is Cheltenham Town’s danger mouse?
For experience, few players on the League Two circuit are likely to come close to striker Luke Varney. After picking him up on a free from Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion last year, the Robins saw the best of him; the forward chipping in 14 league goals as Cheltenham ended the season in a comfortable mid-table position.
Who is reffing this?
James Oldham. Not sure if he’s any relation to Scott Oldham, who reffed our last league outing. James is another new face in the Football League and, indeed, to us. It’s the first time we’ve stepped out together. So far this season, he’s reffed three and booked four in each of those – so he’s got a record to keep up for the sake of consistency in this one.
Our Record: P 0 — W 0 — D 0 — L 0 — F 0 — A 0
And finally, what do you reckon?
The MK match midweek didn’t do much to help our cause. After getting on the board (at last) against the Silkmen last week, a chance to build momentum would’ve gone down a treat. But we’re almost back to square one – even though our XI will look totally different. Our excellent record against them is also on the line – and it’s on shaky ground.
Cheltenham Town v Stevenage prediction: 1-1 – it won’t be pretty, but we’ll surely be good for a goal. Probably one of those days where we score early and concede late on.
