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We highlight many of these businesses, organisations and individuals regularly in a feature called 'Up Close in Hitchin' - as well as fascinating opinion pieces from our trusted cohort of Nub News contributors.

So, read on for the popular Jay Drackford back with his regular Stevenage FC column for us.

This week saw the draw of the second round of the FA Cup.

Watching the FA cup draw always gives me goose bumps and great memories of draws in the past.

I sat down in front of the TV with my son who is also a huge Boro fan just likes years gone by when I would sit with my dad.

As a child you always dreamed of the big draw, but without fans it's difficult to get excited.

Lots of Boro supporters were on social media ahead of the draw hoping for another lower league tie, but it wasn't to be.

Stevenage were drawn first ball, so we didn't have to wait to find out our fate. To put it bluntly we simply need to beat what's in front of us. I mean, its ok to dream of a third round draw at home with our fans actually in the ground isn't it?

Hull City will be our next opponent in two week's time at the Lamex Stadium and we couldn't have got a harder draw with the Tigers.

Grant McCann has turned last season form around and sees his side sat sixth in the table just below Lincoln City - but if we show what we're capable of while giving our all, who knows what could happen.

Boro vs Concord

Speaking of the FA Cup, last week's cup win over Concord on penalties after two hours of hard-fought football was tough to watch and commentate on, but we must remain positive and hope that sooner rather than later it will click for the boys in front of goal.

Before kick-off I was lucky enough to interview Scott Cuthbert and Alex Revell.

They both bought up their own memories of the FA Cup clashes they had been involved in over the years.

We have some great memories at the club such as the Newcastle and Tottenham clashes in the past - here's to making more cup memories this season.

In the meantime, let's just be thankful we weren't on the end of a giant-killing.

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Morecambe preview

Eleven games into the season - a quarter of the way through - and we are where we are.

Just one victory in the bank for Alex Revell's men in the league and 21st position doesn't lie.

This weekend we travel to the Mazuma Stadium to play Morecambe FC.

They are currently sat in 9th place with five wins from 11. That said Stevenage's record against the 'Shrimps' is good. Winning 20, drawing 12 and losing on nine occasions.

This game will be a tough as they come, but we must remain hopeful that sooner rather than later the lads find form.

We've seen a number of shots from the boys - but it is the goals that we so desperately crave.

Tom Pett

In last week's game we saw the return of Tom Pett.

This news was well received amongst fans as Tom had a great first spell with us, which ended up catching the eye of Lincoln City in 2018.

Tom comes back after missing a large amount of football due to injury.

His man of the match performance and lots of minutes in the tank against Concorde Rangers gives us hope that will be more creative in midfield to feed that front line.

Alex needs time but his players know they must step up

What we need is the players who were 'plucked' from the Conference in the transfer window to adapt quicker to League 2 football.

Alex and the coaching staff know how they want the game to be played but sometimes I feel that some of the players are two yards off understanding what is being asked.

This current squad is a project

I think fans understand that wins won't come straight away but obviously want points as soon as possible under our belt to be away from the bottom cluster of teams.

That may be a hard pill to swallow after last year but I feel that it needs time to mature.

Alex is new to management and is trying as hard as he can to get them playing as we all want.

Let's hope the game at Morecambe sees us gather momentum and some points on the board.

Up the Boro!

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