The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Stevenage Borough 2 - 0 York City
Attendance: 27,102
Stevenage Borough lifted The FA Calrsberg Trophy for the second time in three seasons, with Steve Morison again the man to fire the Hertfordshire outfit to glory.
In a game they dminated for long periods, Morison grabbed the crucial goal on 69 minutes toput Stevenage in the driving seat and Lee Boylan made sure in injury time to bring the Trophy back to Broadhall Way.
York could have taken the lead within a minute as they found space on the right flank, before Simon Rusk found Darren McBreen unmarked eight yards from goal. McBreen dragged his shot wide as a sleeping Stevenage defence breathed again.
Having come from two goals down two years ago Stevenage had not learned from the low start on their last Wembley outing, but did not pay the price on this occassion.
Six minutes later and Stevenage conjured the first effort on target as Darren Murphy turned quickly on the penalty shot but shot straight into the arms of Michael Ingham to the relief of the York City fans behind the goal.
Steve Morison drove his way past York captain Danny Parslow but with just the 'keeper to beat failed to hit the target and the Minstermen cleared the lines when it seemed a goal was the only outcome.
Stevenage then showed their intentions to trouble Ingham in the York goal with a series of shot from distance. Morison then showed his tenacity on the half hour mark as he hustled through the York back line before diving a low effort into Ingham's arms.
Five minutes before the interval Adam Boyes had a golden chance to open the scoring and while he struck the ball firmly it was right down the throat of Chris Day in the Stevenage goal. Played clear by Levi Mackin, Boyes skipped past Michael Bostwick but drove the ball straight into Day's grateful arms.
Neither side made any changes at the interval but both sets of fans raised the tempo as the teams attacked towards their own supporters.
Shortly after the hour mark Peter Vincenti hit a fierce half volley that seemed bound for the bottom corner, but Ingham palmed the ball firmly wide for a corner. It would be another sign of Stevenage's increasing dominance and they were the side that seemed most likely to score.
Sure enough Steve Morison, the hero from 2007, came up with the finish after Mark Roberts climbed highest to head down from a corner. It was just what they deserved for a positive and persistant approach and the fans behind the goal were understandably elated.
Andy Drury showed deft control within eleven minutes relaimin to take a dropping ball on his toe and then hit a superb cross that Parslow almost headed into his own net.
Martin Foyle made changes to try and claw his way back into the final, but it was ultimately in vain as Stevenage won The FA Trophy for the second time in three years at Wembley with Lee Boylan making the game safe in the 94th minute with a fine lob over Ingham and into the roof of the net.
Stevenage Borough
16 Chris Day, 2 Lawrie Wilson, 7 Darren Murphy, 8 Gary Mills, 10 Lee Boylan, 14 Mark Roberts, 20 Steve Morison (C), 23 Andy Drury, 24 Michael Bostwick, 25 Ronnie Henry, 30 Peter Vincenti (4 Eddie Anaclet, 86)
Subs not used: 1 Ashley Bayles, 6 Mark Albrighton, 9 Dino Maamria, 19 Calum Willock
York City
24 Michael Ingham, 25 Shaun Pejic, 6 Danny Parslow (C), 17 Levi Mackin, 16 Richard Brodie, 9 Daniel McBreen (7 Onome Sodje, 60), 8 Mark Greaves (20 Andrew McWilliams, 72), 18 Adam Boyes, 2 Ben Purkiss, 15 Simon Rusk (11 Simon Russell, 77), 5 David McGurk
Subs not used: 13 Josh Mimms, 3 Mark Robinson