Jamal Campbell-Ryce singled out for praise by Stevenage boss Dino Maamria

Posted Sunday, October 28, 2018 by PA

Dino Maamria hailed the influence of veteran winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce following Stevenage’s 2-0 victory at Cheltenham.

First-half goals from Kurtis Guthrie and Steve Seddon ensured Boro ended a run of three games without a win and lifted them to eighth in the table.

“I wouldn’t say it was comfortable, but we made it look comfortable and you never underestimate Cheltenham, who I think have been showing signs of turning the corner,” Maamria said.

“Jamal Campbell-Ryce has been fantastic for us. He brings experience, keeps the ball in the attacking third – which is important – and he doesn’t slash at things.

“He makes things happen with good crosses and he talks a lot to the young ones.

“I’m glad to have him here and he’s making a difference. Alex Revell was also fantastic and he didn’t score but we wouldn’t have won without him.

“We were on it today, we worked from the front to the back, pressed them and didn’t let them play the football they want to play.”

Robins boss Michael Duff is still looking for his first win eight games into his reign, and he said it was time for his players to “wake up”.

“The difference was both boxes and we’ve given two poor goals away,” Duff said. “We had so many opportunities to put the ball into the box but either the cross wasn’t good enough or the final ball wasn’t good enough.

“We got into the final third quite a lot, but both their goals came from throw-ins, which is disappointing from our point of view because it’s something we’ve worked on.

“The first goal was a good cross, but their centre-forwards looked like they wanted to head it more than our centre-halves today.

“We need to stop talking about what ifs and maybes. The players know that now and they have been told it’s time to wake up.”

Stevenage started strongly and Guthrie headed in the opener after 18 minutes from 35-year-old Campbell-Ryce’s cross on the right.

It was nearly 2-0 three minutes later when Revell blasted over the crossbar from a good position after a ball in from left-back Johnny Hunt.

Cheltenham were poor, but they were close to claiming an undeserved equaliser five minutes before half-time as Chris Hussey’s free-kick was brilliantly saved by Seny Dieng, diving to his left.

Stevenage doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage-time, with Seddon finishing well after Cheltenham gave the ball away in their own penalty area.

Campbell-Ryce shot wide after being set up by Guthrie in the 48th minute after another unforced error from the home side and Guthrie headed a chance just wide as Stevenage pressed for a third and Cheltenham rarely threatened.