Boro striker content with comfortable win at Stourbridge

Chris Beardsley said he thought his hat-trick goal that never was had in fact crossed the line in Saturday’s win at Stourbridge.

The striker had a goal rightfully chalked out for handball before he scored himself a second half brace, but the third goal remained elusive despite one shot which appeared to cross the line before Paul McCone cleared the ball to safety.

It was that chance which would have seen Boro’s top scorer claim his hat-trick, but although it did not come the 27-year-old said he was pleased with his instinct for the first goal following a recent word in his ear by coach Dino Maamria.

“The shot from distance has taken a little deflection,” Beardsley said.

“It looked liked it crossed the line but [the assistant referee] didn’t give it. I had a quiet word but he wasn’t responsive.

“Dino had a pop at me two weeks ago saying ‘make sure you’re following in’ and I’m glad today that I kept myself onside [for the first goal] and hit the back of the net.

“Ben’s [Ben May] had one cleared off the line and their goalkeeper has pulled off very good saves from Luke Freeman, two low to his right and one high to his right, but we kept plugging away, playing our game, were pretty solid at the back, and I think once we got 1-0 up we were pretty comfortable.”