A confident Stevenage beat MK Dons 4-1 this afternoon thanks a comprehensive performance at The Lamex Stadium.
Matt Godden struck twice and there were also goals for Jake Hyde and Tom Conlon as Boro dominated large parts of this game, created numerous chances and finished clinically.
Just a week before the start of the new Sky Bet League 2 season, Darren Sarll named a strong starting XI with Fraser Franks slotting into a back four with Dean Wells, Luke Wilkinson and Ronnie Henry. Charlie Lee and Michael Tonge occupied the middle of the park with Tom Conlon and Jobi McAnuff out wide, whilst Jake Hyde partnered Matt Godden up front.
Stevenage got off to the perfect start in the sunshine with a goal inside a minute. Matt Godden, who has impressed many in pre-season, latched onto a poor pass, took the ball into the box, feinted past a defender and finished coolly into the bottom corner.
Jobi McAnuff is another to have arrived at The Lamex this summer and he had two chances to double the lead around the 10 minute mark. The first saw the winger nearly latch onto a Hyde pass only to be denied by a last-gasp tackle, whilst seconds later he ran onto a great ball through the middle from Charlie Lee and rounded the ‘keeper but saw his shot blocked.
Stevenage were looking good against their League 1 visitors and still chances continued to come. On 17 minutes a poor kick by ‘keeper Charlie Burns – called into the Dons’ starting XI at the last minute due to an injury to David Martin – saw Godden collect possession out wide and try to float one over into the far corner, but it landed on the roof of the net.
Out of nowhere MK Dons equalised a minute later with one of few chances in the game. The ball fell to Ed Upson on the edge of the box and he fired home spectacularly to cue applause from all sides of the ground.
However despite drawing level the Dons continued to look shaky at the back and Boro were always ready and willing to pounce. On 25 minutes yet more excellent work by Godden saw the striker rob Walsh and nearly setup a chance for Hyde.
But eight minutes later the duo combined again to deadly effect. Godden again won the ball high up the pitch and played the ball across for Hyde to smash home for 2-1.
Ben Kennedy and Andrew Fox both came on at the start of the second half and the game continued with Boro on top.
The hosts forced a couple of corners in quick succession around the hour mark, the second of which from Boro extended their lead. The initial delivery was cleared but only to Charlie Lee who headed the ball back and there was Godden reacting quickest to head home his second.
3-1 became 4-1 within 10 minutes as Kennedy was fouled outside the box and Tom Conlon curled home a 70th minute free-kick.
From that point the visitors threw on numerous subs with Boro also making a number of changes. Still though Darren Sarll’s men dominated and could have gone further ahead when Pett dragged a close-range shot wide of the far post.
A final week of pre-season training is now coming up ahead of next Saturday's opening Sky Bet League 2 game at home to Crewe Alexandra. "In Advance" tickets for this Category B game range from £3 to £20 and can be purchased at www.borotickets.co.uk or from the club shop.
Stevenage: Jones, Henry (Kerr 89), Wells (Donnellan 81), Wilkinson, Franks (Fox 46), Conlon, Tonge (Gorman 76), Lee (McKee 81), McAnuff, Godden (Pett), Hyde (Kennedy 46)
Subs not used: Day, Akinyemi, Johnson
MK Dons: Burns, Baldock (Tilney 81), Lewington (Williams 73), Walsh, Upson (Furlong 73), Carruthers (Brittain 73), Potter (Jackson 73), Williams (Trialist 73), Rasulo, Downing, Maynard (Tshimanga 81)
Referee: Charles Breakspeare