We’d love to get one over on them - Westley

BORO boss Graham Westley says Boro are looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Oxford United this evening (Tuesday).

The two sides last met in March when Scott Laird’s penalty gave Boro all three points as both sides were battling it out to finish top of the Blue Square Premier, and Westley said he would ‘love to get one over on them’ again.

The Boro manager said: “It’s a home game for us, and we all know the importance we place on home games, but moreover how much we enjoy playing at home (Boro have won four and drawn two of their last six home league games).

“We had a cracking fixture against them last year which we managed to win 1-0 and it was a decisive day, an important day.

“We’re very much looking forward to the game on Tuesday. They’ve had a terrific start to life in League 2 and we’d love to get one over on them.”

Despite seeing his side’s winless run extend to five games following their single goal loss to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday evening Westley said he is pleased with the progress his new strikers Craig Reid, Taiwo Atieno and Byron Harrison are making since they arrived at the club.

Westley was also pleased to see Joel Byrom return to the starting line-up after the midfielder made his first start for more than five months.

“Reid is stepping up to another level, and he’ll be a terrific player for us,” Westley said.

“He’s already shown in a couple of performances that he finds chances. They haven’t hit the back of the net for him yet but they will because that’s what he does.

“He’s getting less time now than at Conference level, just like he was getting less time at Conference level than at Conference South.

“He’ll step up no question. You can see that at the training ground and see that at games. He’s bedding in, the side’s learning how to play with him, and learning how to feed him and the same with Byron and the same with Tai.

“Some of the percentages that you’re looking for get lost as you’re bedding people in but we’ll soon find them.

“Joel did very well. He kept things ticking over. He does what Joel does.

“People don’t always appreciate what Joel does. People look at his lack of mobility and focus on that but he retains the ball, he wins the ball.

“He’s a brave lad. He shows a lot of courage in possession, he’s always probing, always looking for forward passes and I thought he did very well.”