Stevenage began their pre-season campaign with a win after a 3-2 victory at St Albans City this afternoon.
Jake Hyde scored twice and Andrew Fox also netted as Boro fought back from an early goal down against their Vanarama National League South hosts to secure a winning start to the summer.
Both sides enjoyed early spells of possession in an open start to the game which also saw several chances. For Boro, second year scholar Jamie Gray pounced upon a defensive mistake on 10 minutes to fire in a low shot which was saved, whilst the visitors' sole trialist of the day cut inside from the left flank and flashed a shot inches wide of the far post. St Albans twice went close through Louie Theophanous and the striker made it third time lucky on 15 minutes, powering a header back across Chris Day into the far corner to give the Saints the lead.
Tom Pett was looking like Stevenage's most likely outlet in the opening 45 minutes, constantly looking to run at his defender with a number of decent crosses from the right and the winger also saw a 30th minute shot blocked.
A goal down at the break, Stevenage's second half XI took just minutes to draw level and in some style. Excellent work by Tom Conlon saw the youngster drive into the box, evade a number of challenges and lay the ball back for Andrew Fox who smashed a curling effort inside the far post to equalise.
Buoyed with that goal, Boro flooded forward and had two chances in quick succession on 51 minutes. Dipo Akinyemi - who impressed on the right flank - saw a fierce shot from inside the box parried by Russell, with Matt Godden then spinning and firing just wide.
Despite the second half improvement, Stevenage fell behind again on the hour when Josh Hill headed St Albans back into the lead. However six minutes later Jake Hyde marked his debut with a goal, heading home Akinyemi's cross with the ball flying in off the far post.
Second year scholar Mark McKee was looking bright in the middle of the pitch and one run on 74 minutes set-up another Boro chance. His pass to Godden saw the lively striker find Tonge, who turned neatly before seeing a fierce shot saved from 18 yards.
Stevenage didn't have to wait long to take the lead though and again it was Hyde who doubled his own tally with 14 minutes remaining. His well-timed run was spotted by Tom Conlon whose sumptuous pass behind the defence allowed Hyde to advance on the 'keeper and coolly finish high into the net.
A win is a positive start to the pre-season campaign and will no doubt boost confidence ahead of Thursday's visit to The Lamex Stadium of Premier League Watford. Tickets for this game can be purchased at www.borotickets.co.uk.
Stevenage (first half): Day, Donnellan, Wilkinson, Wells, Kerr, Pett, Gorman, Lee, Trialist, Liburd, Gray
Stevenage (second half): Jones, Henry, Franks, Johnson, Fox, Akinyemi, Tonge, McKee, Conlon, Hyde, Godden
Subs (not used): Brady, Slater, Cregan
Attendance: 420
Referee: Mick Russell