After a 6 year stay in the Isthmian Premier Boro began life back at Step 4 away to Basildon United.
After an encouraging pre-season, which saw Boro seemingly overcome the goal shy nature of the previous campaign, hopes were high, with the squad showing a nice blend of familiar faces, new blood and the odd old boy returning.
Boro lined up:
Reuben Rabstein; Ebenzer Addo Kuffour; Alla Oujdi; Dan Carey-Evans; J’Ardell Stirling; Tosin Olufemi; Manny Yeboah; Derek Asamoah; Richard Ennin, Akiljo Balliu, Demmy Nicolaou
Subs: Stephane Mgbada; George Aresti; Jorge Djassi-Sambu; Louis Maffia; Fred Agyemang
Early on it was clear this was not going to be a pretty game. A dry, and somewhat bobbly pitch made it difficult for both sides to settle and hold on to possession, but the home side were looking more threatening, without causing Rabstein much trouble in goal. For Boro’s part, only a couple of tame efforts interrupted a very stop start game.
The first real opportunity after 20 minutes was presented to the home side. Carey-Evans sliced a clearance high, which Rabstein caught. The ref immediately deemed it a backpass and awarded an indirect free kick. Boro’s wall held firm to snuff out the chance, but the passage of play that followed led to the opener.
The ball was recycled down the Basildon right, where they threatened for much of the afternoon. A low cross caught the Boro defence flat footed for ex-Boro striker Ramiah Mills to tap in at the far post.
The remainder of the half reverted to the bitty nature of the first 25 minutes, but the one piece of Boro quality really should have been rewarded. Olufemi and Addo exchanged passes on the right and as Ebs ran into the area and poked the ball round a defender he was unceremoniously clattered. To the disbelief of the Boro contingent behind the goal the referee waved away the penalty shouts.
Half-time, and with Boro struggling to create Tom brought on Sambu and Agyemang to give Boro a bit more physicality and presence high up the pitch. Boro had a bit more control through the half, but still struggled to create clear cut chances. Basildon were similarly restricted, but still kept Rabstein the busier of the keepers.
It was only in the final 15 minutes, as the game stretched, along with the introduction of Aresti and Mgbada, that Boro started to get the ball in better positions. But it wasn’t to be. The best chance turned out to be the final kick of the game. A Boro corner fell to Oujdi at the far post but, under pressure, he couldn’t get his knee over the shot and it whistled past the angle of bar and post.
A frustrating start.
Att: 91
