Top-of-the-table Boro welcome Michael Appleton’s Charlton Athletic to The Lamex Stadium this Saturday for another huge battle in Sky Bet League One…
Last weekend, Stevenage added another point to their impressive league tally with a draw at home to Carlisle United. The side have lost just one of their first seven games in the league which sees them sit at the top the table, the highest the club has ever been in its 47-year history.
Boro meet with former Premier League outfit Charlton in league action for the first time in over a decade. The last time Stevenage hosted Saturday’s visitors in a league game was in 2011, as Graham Westley’s men picked up a 1-0 victory with Stacy Long grabbing the only goal of the game.
Opposition Lowdown
Charlton Athletic have had a disappointing start to their campaign as they sit seventeenth in the table after losing four of their first six league games. The Addicks have had a week and a half to prepare for this weekend’s fixture, having not played last Saturday due to international callups.
During that time, the club appointed a new manager in experienced gaffer Michael Appleton. The new boss has previously had spells at Blackpool, Lincoln City, Oxford United, Blackburn and Portsmouth. As a player, Appleton appeared over 120 times for Preston North End.
Charlton’s last league game was two weeks ago as they hosted Fleetwood in the English capital. Summer signing Alfie May netted a brace to ensure a 2-1 victory and increase his goal tally to four for the season.
Played for Both
Current Boro midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey could face his former club this Saturday, after making over 100 appearances for Charlton before moving to Hertfordshire. Alex Gilbey played alongside Forster-Caskey in midfield for both clubs, enjoying a successful loan spell at Stevenage last season from his parent club, Charlton.
Chuks Aneke is under contract at Charlton but has not featured for the club this season through injury. Aneke spent a period on loan at Stevenage back in the 2011/12 campaign, making only a handful of appearances.
Officials
Peter Wright has been appointed as Match Referee for Saturday’s fixture with Steven Plane and Ryan Williams as Assistants and Charles Breakspear as Fourth Official. Wright has dished out twenty-one yellow cards and one red in his first six matches this season.
Safety
Stevenage Football Club would like to remind supporters regarding the safety and security arrangements at The Lamex Stadium. A few keys points:
- No smoking or vaping anywhere within the stadium perimeter.
- Glass, cans, flasks and umbrellas are prohibited - a full list of prohibited items can be found here.
- Anti-social or disorderly behaviour of any sort will not be tolerated.
- Entering the field of play is a criminal offence.
Should any supporter require dispensation to bring in a prohibited item into the stadium, please contact info@stevenagefc.com in advance of the visit and your query will be resolved.
The Club will act swiftly and to its full powers to ban and prosecute individuals who break ground regulations.
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