Our review of 2013 continues with August....
On the pitch
The Sky Bet League 1 season began with a home game against Oldham but Boro lost to the odd goal in a seven goal thriller. Having pegged the Latics back to 3-3 late on a draw looked likely, but an 85th minute Jose Baxter penalty saw the hosts lose.
A 2-0 win over Ipswich at The Lamex in the Capital One Cup handed Boro a glamour tie at Premier League Everton in round two. In an entertaining night at Goodison Park Stevenage took the lead through Luke Freeman and matched their more illustrious opponents, forcing the game into extra time after the Toffees could only muster an equaliser in the regular 90. Marouane Fellaini broke Boro’s hearts as he smashed home the winner just minutes before penalties but the visitors could leave with their heads held high.
Elsewhere on the pitch defeats against Swindon and Leyton Orient handed Boro three successive blanks in the league, but James Dunne scored a late winner at Notts County for the first win of the season before a Greg Tansey penalty helped Stevenage to a draw against Bradford at home.
Off the pitch
Over 100 fans attended a fans forum in the Broadhall Suite with chairman Phil Wallace and manager Graham Westley just days before the start of the league campaign. The two hour session saw both men quizzed on a wide range of topics around the club, including the playing staff, the season ahead and training.
The club designated the Bradford City home fixture as a “Back to School with Boro” event which offered free entry to all U16s who were accompanied by a paying adult. Anyone who bought in advance was also granted access to a free family fun day at Shephalbury before the game, where youngsters enjoyed the STS Tyre Pros “Through the Tyre Challenge”, meeting Boro Bear, face painting and much more before marching down to The Lamex with drummers.
Photos of the Month:
Darius Charles scores Boro's first league goal of the season
Jon Ashton and James Dunne congratulate Luke Freeman on his goal at Goodison Park in the Capital One Cup