Odubade and Laird on target

Histon 0

Boro 2

BORO continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 win over a young Histon side at the Glassworld Stadium.

Goals from Yemi Odubade and Scott Laird sealed the victory for Boro in a competitive game which saw Boro boss Graham Westley run the rule over a number of trialists.

Among those hoping to impress Westley was former Arsenal and Cambridge striker Omar Riza, who caught the eye with an energetic performance and had a hand in Odubade’s opener.

Following a behind-closed-doors friendly with Yeovil the previous evening, which Boro won 1-0 courtesy of a Tim Sills goal, the Football League new boys travelled without a number of first team regulars. The game did however give Boro fans their first glimpse of summer arrivals Darius Charles and Luke Foster who started at the heart of the defence while Darren Murphy took the captain’s armband.

Boro, playing in their new gold change strip, made a sluggish start to the game and they were nearly caught out early on when a long throw was allowed to find Mamadou Gomaz at the far post but thankfully Lawrie Wilson was on hand to fling himself in the way and clear the danger.

At the other end, Odubade fired in a low free kick which found Tim Sills and his first time half-volley was well saved by George Lawton. From this Histon picked up the loose ball and launched a counter attack through Daniel Sparkes. His cross found Lee Smith but he fired wide of Ashley Bayes’ goal.

Riza’s pace and movement was impressive and he kept the Histon backline on their toes. A clever run from the forward saw him get in behind the Stutes’ defence and cross for Sills but his shot was deflected for a corner.

The pair linked up once more in the build up to Boro’s opener with Sills flicking the ball down the line to Riza who picked out Odubade and Boro’s top scorer last season swept the ball past Lawton to open the scoring.

Summer recruit Peter Winn and trialist Chris Dickson were introduced at the break in place of Peter Vincenti and Sills but it was Riza who continued to catch the eye after the break.

First the striker got on the end of an Odubade cross but saw his header saved by Lawton and then he wriggled his way into the box only to be foiled by the Stutes goalkeeper.

The 30-year-old made way just before the hour mark to be replaced by another trialist, former Bromley and Chelmsford City striker Warren McBean. McBean immediately got in on the action when he linked up with Dickson whose shot was well gathered by Lawton.

With tiredness starting to creep in, Histon began to forge a few more half chances but the closest they came was when Zac Attwood picked up a loose ball and fired over from 20 yards.

Boro could have doubled their lead with about 20 minutes remaining when a Wilson corner was knocked down by Foster and Dickson’s volley crashed off the top of the bar.

Westley’s men did double their lead soon after though after being awarded a penalty. Laird won the penalty after being upended in the box and the left back stepped up to convert the spot kick.

Boro continued to make changes and one of the substitutes, Charlie Griffin, engineered a couple of half chances. First the striker saw his 25-yard effort gathered by Lawton at the second attempt and then he was denied by the goalkeeper from a tight angle after a run down the right flank.

As it was there was to be no further action of note as Boro saw out their second pre-season win and their second clean sheet.

Boro: Bayes; Wilson, Foster, Charles, Laird (Cornhill 78); Bridges (Ulor 75), Murphy �, Vincenti (Winn 46); Odubade (Griffin 72), Sills (Dickson 46), Riza (McBean 60).

Subs not used: Day, Pavitt, Jack.