Stevenage Borough

Stevenage Borough
Stevenage complete Gore signing Conference side Stevenage Borough have completed the signing of goalkeeper Shane Gore after he passed his medical. The 24-year-old played seven games last season for Conference champions Barnet, but boss Paul Fairclough has decided he no longer needs him at Underhill. The keeper signed for the Bees at the start of last season, but Scott Tynan and Ricky Millard left his opportunities limited. Gore has also been on the books at Peterborough United and Wimbledon.

Westley unhappy with Conference
Stevenage boss Graham Westley has hit out at Conference officials after he was fined £500 for wearing his club tracksuit in the play-off final. Conference rules require managers to wear the official Umbro top during matches and Westley was punished. He was quoted in the Hertfordshire Mercury: "It's unbelievable. I see managers in the dugouts every week wearing suits and nothing is said. "I just cannot understand the petty-mindedness of it."

Stevenage line up striker Brayson
Stevenage are close to a deal to sign experienced striker Paul Brayson following his departure from Northwich. Brayson, 27, scored 13 Conference goals last season, including seven in the last nine games to keep Vics out of the bottom three. Northwich's relegation over ground issues prompted Brayson's departure and a prospective deal with last season's beaten play-off finalists. Brayson has also played for Cardiff, Reading, Cheltenham and Swansea.

Ford named as Stevenage assistant
Stevenage Borough have appointed former Gravesend manager Andy Ford as their new assistant boss. He joined Boro on an initial short-term basis towards the end of last season and has now been confirmed as Graham Westley's number two. "Fordy is an experienced man and I particularly like his managerial background," Westley told his club's official website. "I believe we forged a strong partnership last year."

Brayson rejects Stevenage offer
Striker Paul Brayson has rejected a move to Stevenage Borough to stay with Conference North side Northwich. Brayson, 27, was wanted by Boro boss Graham Westley after scoring 13 times last season but has instead signed a new contract with the relegated Vics. The former Reading and Cardiff striker will now spearhead Northwich's attempt to bounce straight back up along with Jonny Allan, who has also agreed terms. Vics have also signed ex-Oldham and Carlisle midfielder Carlos Roca, 20.

Woking 3-2 Stevenage
Steve Ferguson's strike two minutes from time ensured Woking got their home campaign off to a winning start. Woking's Ian Selley scored from the spot in the 10th minute after Shane Gore fouled, before George Boyd equalised in the 36th minute. Boro's Dino Maamria and Woking's Karl Murray were both sent off just before the break and in stoppage time Boyd scored again. Gary MacDonald equalised for the Cards before Ferguson curled home a winner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Woking: Jalal, Jackson, El-Salahi, MacDonald, Reed, Evans, Selley, Murray, Sharpling (Blackman 6), Ferguson (Smith 90), Richards. Subs Not Used: McAllister, Davies, Ruby. Sent Off: Murray (42). Booked: Murray, Ferguson. Goals: Selley 10 pen, MacDonald 51, Ferguson 88. Stevenage: Gore, Warner, Goodliffe (Williams 90), Henry, Gregory, Berquez, Maamria, Bulman, Boyd, Stamp (Nurse 74), Elding. Subs Not Used: Farrow, Quinn, Hocking. Sent Off: Maamria (17). Booked: Elding, Berquez, Nurse. Goals: Boyd 37, 45. Att: 2,592. Ref: B Malone (Wiltshire).

Southport 3-2 Stevenage
Neil Robinson inspired Southport to victory with a clinical double, but the hosts had to survive a late fightback. Southport upped the pace after a sluggish start and Carl Baker netted from the spot after Robinson's charge on goal was halted by Justin Gregory. Then, after Steve Pickford had hit the woodwork, Robinson drilled into the top corner before thrashing in the third. Anthony Elding finished smartly and Darryn Stamp converted from the spot after a handball but Southport held on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southport: Dickinson, Lane, Fitzgerald, Kilbane, Davis, Baker, Krief, Pickford, Leadbetter (McGinn 81), Daly, Robinson. Subs Not Used: Speare, Fearns, Lynch, Booth. Booked: Davis, Robinson, Kilbane, Pickford, Leadbetter. Goals: Baker 24 pen, Robinson 35, 48. Stevenage: Julian, Warner, Gregory, Goodliffe (Nurse 45), Henry (Hocking 34), Weatherstone, Bulman, Berquez (Quinn 72), Boyd, Elding, Stamp. Subs Not Used: Gore, Perpetuini. Booked: Gregory, Elding, Hocking, Nurse. Goals: Elding 54, Stamp 56 pen. Att: 1,007 Ref: A Taylor (Manchester).

Crawley 1-2 Stevenage
Stevenage maintained their free-scoring start to the season with this victory. They struggled to create an opening in a lacklustre first half and Crawley went ahead when Stuart Douglas tapped in from a Ben Judge cross. But that sparked the visitors into life and they were on level terms through a penalty from Darryn Stamp after Ian Simpemba had handled the ball. And Daniel Williams completed the turnaround when he fired in the winner from a free-kick 11 minutes from time.

Wallace hails Stevenage finances
Stevenage Borough chairman Phil Wallace is pleased with the progress the club are making off the pitch. Boro made an operating loss of £9,410 in the year to May 2005 - compared to a loss of £110,791 the previous year. Wallace said: "We are in good shape. Gate income now accounts for less than 25% of our £2m-plus annual income. "When success on the field brings higher crowds through the turnstiles, the club will be well placed to finance a climb through the football pyramid."

Canvey Island 1-1 Stevenage
Kezie Ibe quickly levelled after Stevenage had taken the lead to earn Canvey Island a point. The visitors took the lead after 62 minutes when Ollie Berquez headed home from close range after George Boyd supplied the cross. The equaliser arrived five minutes later when Ibe fired home from outside the penalty area after a cross from Jeff Minton. Minton almost won it for Canvey, but his free-kick was saved by Alan Julian. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canvey Island: McKinney, Chenery, Ward (Duffy 21), Sterling, Bimson (McGhee 88), Kennedy, Sedgemore, Minton, Clarke, Ibe, Hallett (Tait 83). Subs Not Used: Gregory, Potter. Booked: Minton. Goals: Ibe 68. Stevenage: Julian, Warner, Goodliffe (Berquez 21), Hocking, Laker, Weatherstone, Bulman, Henry, Boyd, Nurse, Elding (Maamria 77). Subs Not Used: Gore, Quinn, Williams. Booked: Goodliffe, Hocking, Henry, Weatherstone. Goals: Berquez 63. Att: 832 Ref: D Whitestone (Northamptonshire).

Inglethorpe cautious on Cup tie
Exeter boss Alex Inglethorpe will stay cautious after being paired with fellow Conference high-fliers Stevenage in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round. The all-Conference clash has been seen as the tie of the round. "The one advantage we have is that we are at St James Park. Stevenage were the first side to beat us this season, so we owe them one," Inglethorpe said. "It'll be tough, but we can't forget our Cup run last season, and it would be nice to repeat that this year." Exeter made national headlines last season when they held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw in the third round, and were only beaten 2-0 by the Premiership giants in a replay.

Stevenage swoop for QPR's Miller
Stevenage have signed midfielder Adam Miller on a free transfer from QPR, although Rangers have included a sell-on clause in the deal. Miller, who had also interested Oxford United and played in a reserve game for the U's last week, has agreed an 18-month contract at Broadhall Way. The 23-year-old joined QPR from Aldershot in November 2004, and started 11 games for the Hoops. He also spent a spell on loan at Peterborough earlier this season.

Nuneaton Borough win Darby race
Conference North promotion hopefuls Nuneaton have won the race to sign experienced striker Duane Darby. Darby has agreed an 18-month deal at Manor Park after rejecting rival offers from Cambridge and Stevenage. The 32-year-old was released by Shrewsbury last month and will also take on a coaching role in Boro's community scheme. Darby has scored 150 league goals in a career which included spells at Hull, Notts County and Rushden & Diamonds.

Westley sees play-off bid fading
Stevenage Borough boss Graham Westley admits his side still has plenty to do to make sure of a play-off place. Boro are currently in the top five of the Conference table but Westley is targeting at least a further 20 points to be certain of staying there. He said: "We have it all to do after losing 2-0 to Hereford on Monday night. "We must now win at least six and probably seven of the last ten games to make sure of a play-off slot," Westley told his club's website.

Second spot is goal for Stevenage
Stevenage boss Graham Westley is eyeing second spot in the Conference. Westley recently claimed his side may need to win seven of their last ten games to secure a play-off berth, and is backing his players to do it. He told his club's website: "If we play like we can, which we will, over the course of the next ten games, then we will be contesting the play-offs again. "If we find our level of consistency then we can still become runners-up, which will be fabulous."

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