STEVENAGE v PORTSMOUTH League One â 23 October 2012 Link to BBC Preview: Last meeting at Broadhall Way 10 August 2010 â League Cup Round One Stevenage 1-2 Pompey This was Stevenageâs first ever League Cup tie, having just been promoted from the Conference. It was also Pompeyâs fist Round One tie since 2002. Who are Ya? The Boro were founded in 1976, after the demise of Stevenage Athletic. They joined the United Counties League in 1980 and reached the Isthmian League in 1984, gaining promotion to the Conference 10 years later. Having won the Conference in 1996 they were denied promotion to the Football League as their ground didnât meet league criteria; thus saving Torquay Utd from being relegated. They also reached the First Round proper of the FA Cup for the first time that season, losing 2-1 at Hereford. In 1998 they reached the Fourth Round, holding Premier League side Newcastle Utd to a draw, before going out 2-1 in the relay. They were unfortunate at St James Park, as computer technology later proved that for Newcastleâs first goal, the ball didnât cross the line. They reached the Playoff final in 2005, losing to Carlisle. Five years on, in 2010, they finally won the title again and, this time, they were promoted. They secured back-to-back promotions courtesy of the playoffs. It is perhaps poetic justice that the side they beat in the playoff final was none other than Torquay, the side reprieved when they were refused promotion into the Football league in 1996. Highest League Finish: 6th in League One 2012 â playoff semi-finals Lowest Finish*: 15th in the Conference 1998 Honours: 4th Tier [League Two] playoff winners 2011 5th Tier [Conference] winners 1996, 2010 FA Trophy winners 2007, 2009; runners up 2002, 2010 Isthmian League winners 1994 *since reaching the Conference in 1994. Yesteryear The above match is the only previous competitive meeting between the two clubs Silver Stats - Stevenage 5 seasons ago [2008] â 6th in Conference 10 seasons ago [2003] â 12th in Conference 15 seasons ago [1998] â 15th in Conference 20 seasons ago [1993] â 7th in Isthmian League Premier Division 25 seasons ago [1988] â 21st in Isthmian League Division 1 - relegated Random Fact: Their 21st place finish in the Isthmian League Division 1 in 1988 is the only time Stevenage have suffered relegation. Match Odds (at Skybet) Stevenage: 4/5 Pompey: 13/5 Draw: 5/2 Mystic Devo Stevenage are unbeaten at home in the league. They have drawn 4 of their 6 games, but have won 2 of the last 3. Pompey have picked up 13 points from the last 5 games, with a draw at MK Dons and a win at Yeovil since they last tasted defeat, at Notts County on 22nd September. I think Pompey have to go for it on Tuesday as I fear, if they go looking for a draw, Stevenage will make them pay. Devo reckons: Stevenage 2-2 Pompey
Agree Devo, we must attack from the start and hopefully catch them off guard. I reckon/hope for a 2-1 win (another goal for Izzy and one from Gabor, who seems to have lost his goal scoring touch the last couple of games )
For g-d's sake- we've had 10 shots on target, they've had three, yet we're losing 2-1 .. Come on Pompey, fix up!
Dickinson collected his first yellow for us - he does like collecting cards!!!!! Also Howard got booked although BBC not showing that so he misses the next game.
15 shots on goal - 10 on target with Stevenage 7 shots on goal with just 3 on target, 2 of those in the back of the net. Just not our day.
Oh well, you can't win them all. If Howard is suspended, I don't think that is too bad a loss, as he has not been playing particularly well lately. Put Williamson into central midfield, and Dumbya at right back.
We are doing really well at the moment, Stevenage are flying so we mustn't lose heart. I think mid table will be a good finish for us and move on that next year.
