Good afternoon and welcome to all supporters to Kenilworth Road for today's hugely significant game with York City for what promises to be an exciting and no doubt tense second leg.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to our visitors from Bootham Crescent, manager Martin Foyle, his players and staff, the directors and supporters of the Minstermen.
We go into this afternoon's Bank Holiday fixture a goal behind at what is 'half-time' in this two-legged semi-final with a place at Wembley at stake.
Play-Off fixtures are always tense, nervy affairs and I am sure you will all be experiencing plenty of nerves on your way to the ground and that is to be expected.
However, those supporters who made the long journey on Thursday night can reassure those sitting around you that weren't there that night, of how well we played in spite of the fact we came away losing to a late goal.
I said after the game, and have admitted recently too, that I am really proud of the players' effort. Not only in making Stevenage sweat for the Championship, not only for going on a 14-match unbeaten run but for Thursday's performance too.
It was extremely disappointing to lose to such a goal at that time when it looked like we have done enough to at the very least earn a goalless draw to take back to Kenilworth Road.
The way in which we passed the ball and created chances was very, very encouraging but, as I said to the players in the dressing after the game, if we played to a similar standard this afternoon then we'll be very happy.
Had Thursday's game ended goalless it would have been the best 0-0 draw I have ever seen. It was far from the expected cagey match many people expected.
Both sides really went for it, slogged it out when they had to and played some good football on a wet surface ideal for opening, attacking football and as a result it meant for an exciting, end-to-end match which would have been a fantastic spectacle for the neutral.
The goal was unfortunate to concede and the result harsh on us given the amount of chances we have created, however, the amount of positives taken from the game stands us in good stead this afternoon.
There's no doubting it will be another huge test for us today but over the past few months the character, attitude and performances of the players have been magnificent which gives us every reason to be confident.
With the way the tie is currently poised, and with a full-house inside the ground expected today, your support has never been so important.
It has been phenomenal ever since I took over and your loyalty and passion was once again evident on Thursday night where your backing was tremendous - it can't have been easy standing out in the rain.
The atmosphere at home games has been exceptional too, and today we need you to turn the place into a cauldron and really crank up the noise.
Keep with us, embrace the moment and enjoy the game.
Richard.
