All you need to know ahead of the Town's game with Boro
Luton Town v Stevenage
Sky Bet League 2
Saturday 2nd May 2015, kick-off 3pm
Live commentary on Hatters Player, DiverseFM, BBC3CR and lutontown.co.uk
• Town eighth; three points off Play-Offs
• Hatters need to win and hope Plymouth lose
• Town then need to make up an eight-goal swing
• Stevenage already guaranteed Play-Off spot
EIGHT-GOAL SWING. If the Hatters are to finish in the top seven and reach the Play-Offs they will firstly need to beat Stevenage. They will then need title-chasing Shrewsbury to beat Plymouth. However the Town’s goal difference is worse than Argyle’s, so they will need to make-up an eight-goal swing. Therefore, 4-0, 5-1, and 6-2 wins for the Town and Shrewsbury would do it; as would a 3-0 Town win allied with a 5-0 Shrewsbury victory – and vice versa.
WHO? Stevenage Football Club, the team formerly known as Stevenage Borough, from the Lamex Stadium (or Broadhall Way to you and me), Herfordshire. They are managed by Graham Westley and last season they were relegated from League 1. They entered the Football League in 2010, after pipping the Hatters to the Conference title.
HOW THEY DOING? Very well. Boro arrive at Kenilworth Road already guaranteed a place in the top seven and will contest the Play-Offs. They are all but set to finish in sixth place (unless they beat us 5-0 and Wycombe lose 5-0). Stevenage are unbeaten in their last seven games (W4, D3) and have only lost once in their last 16 matches – a 1-0 home defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge. Their success has been built on very strong home form. Only the top two, Shrewsbury and Burton, have better records on their own patch this season than Boro.
AWAY THE LADS. On the road Boro’s form hasn’t been the greatest, with just five wins from their previous 22 matches away from Broadhall Way. However, Westley’s men haven’t tasted defeat in their last seven away from home, winning twice (at Cheltenham and Hartlepool) and drawing five. Their last defeat on their travels came at Mansfield in February.
TICKET NEWS. There are not many tickets remaining for Saturday’s game with only a handful left in the main stand areas of the ground. There will be no cash turnstiles available on the day and supporters are also reminded to make sure they bring their season tickets along – it might be the last game of the season but don’t forget them! If you do, you’ll face a long wait for the ticket office to check who you are!
HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? The two sides meet for only second time at Kenilworth Road but the sixth time overall. The Hatters hold sway in the head-to-head record in all competitions, winning four to Boro’s one. Stevenage have only visited Kenilworth Road once and it was a game they won. Scott Laird’s goal gave Boro all three points in the Conference meeting in 2009.
CLUB CONNECTIONS. The Town have former Boro midfielder Andy Drury in their midst, while Stevenage have former Hatters captain Ronnie Henry and winger Dave Martin in their squad. Boro also had another former Hatters favourite on their books this season in the shape of Keith Keane, who was on-loan at the Lamex from Preston. He has since returned to Deepdale after picking up an injury.
TOWN TEAM NEWS. Midfielder Cameron McGeehan has returned to training after sustaining an arm injury in last weekend’s defeat at Southend. He is in contention for a place in the squad but the Town will be without Ricky Miller, Shaun Whalley and Paul Benson. John Still confirmed at his Thursday press call that Elliot Justham will continue in goal.
REF WATCH. Nigel Miller takes charge of his third Town match this season. He oversaw the Hatters’ very first match this season, against Carlisle, and also the 1-1 FA Cup draw at Bury in December. This season the County Durham official has shown just one red card in 33 matches this term, and just sent one player off – Huddersfield’s James Vaughan.
LIVE AND ONLINE. Hatters Player is the only place to listen to online commentary of the Hatters this season and once again the DiverseFM team will be bringing subscribers all the action from Kenilworth Road. What’s more there will be a full report, reaction and photographs post-match and live text updates during the match itself.
GET SOCIAL. Remember to subscribe to our official YouTube channel for free, as well as checking out the official FACEBOOK, TWITTER and INSTRAGRAM accounts, too, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #COYH
WATCH THE GOALS. Last time we met, back in October, below.