Stevenage manager Graham Westley said yesterday’s 3-1 win against Tonbridge Angels was a game they had to win.
The Hertfordshire club have already drawn against West Ham and Millwall despite leading in both games, however goals from Bira Demebele, Adam Marriott and a trialist secured the win.
“It was a chance to give the full squad a run out tonight. I said to them beforehand, you don’t get any ‘gimmes’ at a club like Tonbridge. With respect it was going to a big fixture, a game they were going to try and win, they were going to give heart and soul and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy,”said Westley, talking to the club’s website.
“At this stage we haven’t had the chance to really get your fitness together to dominate the physical side of it. It was a tough encounter which needed winning.”
“Pre-season is all about facing the next challenge, not taking it for granted and respecting the opposition. I’d have taken 3-1 at the start of the night tonight.
Westley has already said he is struggling to build a side for the new season but has seen pick up two wins, two draws and just a single defeat in pre-season.
“We came here to win the football match, in the end that’s our job to be able to win football matches one way or another.”
Stevenage’s next pre-season match is away to Chesham United on Saturday.
