Wonderful Wootton grabs the three points...
Deadline day signing Kyle Wootton made an immediate impact for Boro, scoring the winner just seconds after coming off the bench.
Matty Godden gave Boro the lead before Steven Old levelled things up for Morecambe before half time. Wootton replaced Newton just after the hour mark, and almost immediately scored the winner with a left-footed finish into the bottom corner.
Terence Vancooten made his first league start for Boro since joining in the summer. With Luke Wilkinson serving the last game of his suspension, and Jack King still side-lined, the ex-Reading defender was ready to fit into the back four.
The first real chance of the game came within five minutes for Stevenage. Ben Kennedy’s pressure on the Morecambe back four paid off, after hustling the ball from a defender and playing the ball through to Matt Godden. The forward couldn’t direct his effort on target, dragging the ball wide of the far post. A positive start as Boro looked to get the all important first goal.
In the opening few minutes, both sides enjoyed good spells of possession. Morecambe were looking to get the ball to the head of Kevin Ellison, while Stevenage were keeping it on the deck. Godden and Newton were continuously making runs in behind the Shrimps’ back line, trying to get the chance to put us in front.
15 minutes in, it was the same combination of Kennedy and Godden threatening the Morecambe back line once more. Almost a carbon copy of the first chance, Kennedy’s through pass meeting the run of Godden, who this time fired over.
It was third time lucky for Matty Godden, as he finally took his chance to put Boro in front. After some lovely touches out wide from Kennedy and Tom Pett, Godden found himself with the ball at his feet inside the box. Last season’s top goal scorer doubled his tally for this season, with a superb outside of the boot finish into the far corner. Stevenage were 1-0 up and looked in good stead for another.
Almost instantly after the opener, Danny Newton had a chance to make it two in two minutes. Godden this time found himself as creator, crossing the ball onto the penalty spot, only for Newton to crash against the post. The ball was eventually cleared, but Boro appeared to be on their way to a second.
Seemingly from nothing, Morecambe had a free kick inside the Boro half. Shrimps’ captain Michael Rose stood over the ball, and whipped in the perfect cross for Steven Old to head in. The game was now level as Morecambe were growing into the game.
Stevenage came out for the second half looking fired up and ready to grab the win. Ronnie Henry, of all people, had a great chance on goal just ten minutes since the restart. Kennedy slid the ball through to the skipper, who dragged his shot wide.
New signing Kyle Wootton was named on the bench for the first time since arriving on deadline day, and made an instant impact when he came on for Newton, on 65 minutes. The Scunthorpe loanee took a touch inside the box, spun on the spot, and with his left foot blasted past the keeper. What an introduction for the new striker.
Into the final ten minutes, Morecambe were starting to load the box and pile on the pressure. Big forward Vadaine Oliver was now partnering Ellison up front, two target men to aim for. Ronnie Henry and co. were putting their bodies on the line to keep us in front.
Morecambe threw everything into finding a late equaliser, including bringing the goalkeeper up for numerous set pieces, but Boro stood firm and picked up the win. A massive result for Stevenage as they collect three points for the first time in three games.
Starting XI: Fryer, Vancooten, Henry, Franks, Martin, Kennedy, Gorman, Smith, Pett, Newton (Wootton 64), Godden (Samuel 83).