In their second friendly in two days Stevenage made it consecutive wins, and in a fixture aimed more towards the first XI the defeat of QPR Under 21s gave many positives.
In terms of the football it was an important chance for Gary Smith’s side to play together after so long without a fixture and a strong side enjoyed good spells of possession in a goalless first half.
Fitness was also key, but winning momentum is priceless in any form of the game and a morale-boosting victory was set on its way by an exquisite chip from James Dunne.
The central midfielder burst through from midfield and was calm as the opposition ‘keeper strode off his line before dinking the ball over him and into the back of the net.
After the break Sam Hoskins doubled the lead, picking the ball up with his back to goal in the area the on-loan Southampton striker showed that he can find the back of the net with a lovely turn and finish, the ball cushioning off the bottom of the post as is nestled perfectly in the bottom far corner.
QPR got back into the game with a Troy Hewitt strike from range that left ‘keeper Steve Arnold helpless but Steve Beleck was the man to finish the scoring with the simple task of poking home after Hoskins and Greg Tansey’s link up.
The two showed a strong understanding of each other’s game throughout and it paid off in the dying embers when their combination, along with Hoskin’s awareness of his strike partner’s position, allowed Beleck to get on the end of a squared ball in the box and routinely finish.