Stevenage Boro boss Mark Stimson s monthly column for The Comet WE had two games at the start of November with disappointing results. In the Burton game, we were outstanding for the first 45 minutes and could have been three or four up. It was disappointi

Stevenage Boro boss Mark Stimson's monthly column for The Comet

WE had two games at the start of November with disappointing results.

In the Burton game, we were outstanding for the first 45 minutes and could have been three or four up.

It was disappointing to go out of the FA Cup at Wrexham on a day when our attacking players didn't perform to their potential.

Since then, in Saturday's second round, Wrexham won at League One high-fliers Scunthorpe and good luck to them now in the third round.

We then had a home game with Grays. We (myself and Scott) know most of their players and it was good to get back to winning ways and for us to keep a clean sheet.

We followed this up with a very good win at Kidderminster. In that game, we showed some different qualities but ones you need to win football matches. We had 100 per cent commitment and superb concentration throughout the team.

We then met the leaders, Oxford United, at home at the weekend. What a game, it had everything!

We made a fantastic start with a well-worked goal.

There was outstanding skill from George (Boyd) which was followed by some superb movement from Adam (Miller) to create an opening for Steve Guppy and eventually the goal for Steve Morison.

We were unfortunate to have a player sent off but still managed to take the game to Oxford and take a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, we had another one sent off and from that free-kick, they equalised.

With 30 minutes to go, some people might have been fearing the worst.

But full credit to the players, they gave a fantastic account of themselves and possibly created the best chances.

We kept the two players up front and it occupied them at the back.

At the end of 90 minutes, I told the players how the crowd appreciated their efforts. They got a standing ovation and deserved it.

We now look forward to the next few games over the next three or four weeks.

People start to enjoy themselves over the festive period but not footballers.

This is where we step the work-rate up and the training increases.

There are three games in a week over Christmas and New Year.

It was also nice that George and Steve played and scored for England. I've got good reports back from Paul Fairclough on both players.

We've also signed two lads from the EFCO scheme.

One is Jack Bradshaw, an attacking full-back, and the other is Tyron Sealey, a striker who has featured in the first team squad this season.

The youth system is something I wanted to get involved in when I joined the club.

I was impressed with the performances in the FA Youth Cup and some of the youngsters have been promoted to the reserves.

Both me and Scott and all the players would like to wish all the supporters a Happy Christmas and New Year.

Keep up your support. It's been absolutely fantastic and we appreciate that.