In the second part of our look at next season's opposition we assess about Colchester United, Coventry City, Crawley Town and Crewe Alexandra.
Colchester United
Weston Homes Community Stadium – Capacity: 10,105
Boro have indifferent memories of visits to Colchester United in the past two seasons, with the first producing a stunning performance and 6-1 victory on Boxing Day 2011, and the second ending in defeat – and the end of an unbeaten run that had stretched from the beginning of the 12/13 campaign to mid-October. At the Lamex, Boro are yet to beat the Us. Last season we were beaten by two goals and the year before it was a scoreless draw.
United finished three points ahead of the relegation places last season, and in the end just three points behind Stevenage.
P: 4 W: 1 D: 1 L: 2 GF: 6 GA: 4
Head to Head record in Football League:
Coventry City
There is some uncertainty over the stadium in which Coventry City will play in next season. At present, they play at the Ricoh Arena – capacity 32,500.
The two clubs met twice last season and shared a win apiece. Strangely, both teams won their away fixture – Robin Shroot and Marcus Haber helping Stevenage come from behind to win at the Ricoh but three goals against in the final 11 minutes at the Lamex Stadium left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Stevenage players after Lucas Akins had given them the lead.
Head to Head record in Football League:
P: 2 W: 1 D: 0 L: 1 GF: 3 GA: 4
Crawley Town
Broadfield Stadium – Capacity 5,500
Crawley are a side who have a longer history with the Boro than most sides in the division, with non-league days taken into account. The Red Devils were promoted to the Football League a year after Boro’s Championship winning season, and like Boro they secured back-to-back promotions to League One.
Boro were unable to get one over on Crawley last season, with a draw and a defeat in the two games, but the away fixture will live long in the memory of Stevenage fans. The game took place a day before the re-appointment of Graham Westley, proving to be Mark Roberts’ last game in charge of the side. After going down to ten men early on it was Robbo himself that gave Boro the lead and even after being pegged back to level terms there was spirit in abundance and a point was earned.
In their maiden League One season last year, Crawley achieved a tenth-placed finish with 68 points from the 46 games. They ended the season 6 points off the Play-off places.
Head to Head record in Football League:
P: 2 W:0 D:1 L:1 GF:2 GA:3
Crewe Alexandra
Alexandra Stadium (Gresty Road) – Capacity 10,066
Stevenage faced Crewe twice in our promotion winning League Two campaign and the away game in February 2011 could be looked at as a huge turning point in the surge for the Play-offs. Scott Laird scored late on in a single goal victory to move Graham Westley’s side eight points adrift of seventh place.
Boro are yet to taste defeat against the Alex, and after their promotion to League One last season Boro took four points from a possible six. Again, it was on the road that we gained victory in a 2-1 win that showed promising signs at the time.
Head to Head record in Football League:
P:4 W:2 D:2 L:0 GF:6 GA:4
Next up tomorrow we will have a look at Gillingham, Leyton Orient, MK Dons and Notts County.