Steve Evans’ Boro kick off their Papa John’s Trophy campaign tonight at the Weston Homes Stadium in the first of three group stage fixtures…
Exactly a week on from a memorable evening at The Lamex Stadium, Stevenage are met with familiar opposition Peterborough United. The Posh will look to get revenge over Boro after falling to a 1-0 defeat in the Carabao Cup Round Two through Jamie Reid’s last-minute winner.
The memorable evening for Boro put an end to The Posh’s Carabao Cup campaign last Tuesday, but they appear to be a strong force when it comes to league football. Grant McCann’s side sit in fourth place in Sky Bet League One, after picking up four wins and two losses in the opening six fixtures. Peterborough’s most recent game was against fellow promotion hopefuls, Derby County. Despite Posh taking the lead, Derby’s two late goals made the difference as they fell to a 2-1 defeat.
The Posh are no strangers to the Papa John’s Trophy, having won the competition in the 2013/14 campaign. Peterborough United came up against Chesterfield in the final at Wembley Stadium in front of a crowd of 35,663. The Posh won 3-1 on the day, with familiar name Michael Bostwick playing all ninety minutes.
Boro and Posh have met on six competitive occasions in the past, despite meeting several times in pre-season friendlies. The first meeting between the sides was in the League Cup at The Lamex in 2011. Seven goals were scored with Peterborough walking away with a 4-3 victory.
Last Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory was Boro’s second win over the Cambridgeshire side, with the first coming in Sky Bet League One back in 2013. Stevenage travelled to the Weston Homes Stadium and picked up a 1-0 win thanks to Lucas Akins’ first-half winner.
Peterborough United have been playing their football at the Weston Homes Stadium since the club’s formation in 1934. The stadium holds a capacity of 15,314 with a record attendance of 30,096 being set in a 1965 FA Cup clash with Swansea. This record was set when the ground mostly consisted of terracing, therefore it is unlikely to be beaten any time soon.
The Weston Homes stadium was initially listed as a host venue for the recent Women’s European Championships, but the ground did not meet UEFA regulations.
Robert Lewis has been appointed Match Referee for this fixture with Samuel Ogles and Stephen Brown as Assistants alongside Greg Rollason as Fourth Official. Mr Lewis is one of the longest-serving officials in the English Football League and was a referee in the first ever Premier League campaign in 1992/93.
Match tickets for tonight’s game are available from the Stevenage FC Club Shop until 2.30pm today and from the Weston Homes Stadium Ticket Office.
Alternatively, stream tonight’s game live with an iFollow Video Match Pass for just £10 by clicking here.
---