Stevenage seek to make most of grand stage
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Your support makes all the difference.Four years ago Stevenage Borough were the toast of every small club in the land when they forced Newcastle United into a replay following a hugely entertaining 1-1 draw in a David versus Goliath fourth-round FA Cup tie.
After refusing to concede home advantage at their tiny Broadhall Way ground, they travelled to the North-east and lost to the odd goal in three as they showed the best of what Conference football has to offer.
Today, more than 6,000 supporters will leave their homes in leafy Hertfordshire for another trip north as Borough take on perennial giant-killers Yeovil Town in the FA Trophy final at Villa Park and once again return to the spotlight. Forget Arsenal and Chelsea, this remains the "big 'un" in non-League terms.
For the Stevenage manager Wayne Turner, the match provides him with the opportunity to make inroads in his quest to propel his new club towards the Nation-wide League. Some early success to his tenure in office would be just rewards for a man who gave up his job as Barry Fry's assistant at Peter-borough for a more "hands-on" role in management.
When Turner was brought in by chairman Phil Wallace in late February, Stevenage were struggling in the Conference and in danger of dropping into non-League obscurity. But after opening with a home win against Margate, the former Luton Town coach used his know-how and considerable contacts to freshen up his side and take them to an 11th-placed finish.
Although today's Trophy clash has no direct bearing on their hopes of League football, Stevenage's cup run of six straight wins gives a strong indication of what could lie ahead. After hosting Tottenham Hotspur's reserves throughout this season, the ambitious Turner took the opportunity to call in the favour.
"We trained at Tottenham last week and their facilities were first class," Turner said. "The boys saw where all the Spurs players go every day and it gave them a massive buzz. It gave them something to think about. We are really looking forward to the game.
"This is the first time the club have been to the final so we have already made history but it will be better if we win."
For many of the Stevenage clan, the opportunity to play at Villa Park will give them the chance to make up for lost time. Midfielder Sean Evers was tipped for the big stage after benefiting from Turner's coaching at Luton but a £500,000 move to Reading turned sour. A subsequent switch to Plymouth failed to kick-start his career but a loan move has allowed him to link up with his old mentor.
Evers said: "There is a great atmosphere in this team; all the players Wayne has brought in have gelled well. This is a great chance for us to show a big audience what we can do, and I think Stevenage can become a big club. I'm enjoying myself and, although Yeovil are a well-organised, full-time outfit, we've got every chance of winning."
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