Stevenage returned to winning ways on Saturday as Alex Revell’s second half proved the difference in a dominant display at home to Yeovil...
It may have took until the 70th minute for the winning goal to come but the introduction of new signings saw a dynamic display to please the home supporters.
The result leaves Boro just three points outside of the play-offs as the points were vital in keeping-pace with those ahead in the pack.
Dino Maamria named two changes to the side that lost to Forest Green Rovers at home seven days prior, bringing back Kurtis Guthrie following his four game suspension and starting new signing Ilias Chair. The other new Deadline Day loanees – Adebayo, Dyson & Gibson – all with a place on the bench.
The first real chance of the game fell to Yeovil’s Alex Dobre after he was found in space on the left hand side of the Boro box. After a taking a quick first touch, the Glovers attacker dragged his shot wide much to the relief of all Stevenage supporters in the ground. It was to be a rare foray forward for the Glovers inside the first 45 minutes.
After the side got off to a rather pedestrian start the previous week– which they never really recovered from – today’s game was a much-improved change. Guthrie came close to scoring upon his return after just 10 minutes, flicking a Timlin shot towards goal which Chelsea loanee Baxter did well to react to.
Ilias Chair was extremely lively throughout the first half, making things happen for Stevenage down the left hand side and swinging in dangerous deliveries for the Yeovil Town defence to deal with. Revell and Cuthbert both coming close in the air from his crosses as the youngster impressed the Stevenage crowd with his close control and speed across the ground.
Johnny Hunt was also enjoying a good start to the game and cracked the post on 24 minutes after a well-worked one-two with Timlin allowed the full-back to roam into the box. Timlin himself came close on the half hour mark as he ghosted into the box before skewing his shot wide from 18 yards out.
With less than 10 minutes to go until half time, arguably the chance of the half came after Chair forced Baxter to parry away his free-kick from 30 yards, which fell to the feet of James-Wildin whose cross/shot floated up for Revell, who couldn’t force the ball home. All-in-all, it was a positive first half even if there weren’t any goals to show for it.
The second half started in much the same vein. Stevenage applying continuous pressure and playing good football whilst doing so. Ilias Chair at the heart of it once again, firing a powerful low shot towards the bottom corner after 55 minutes which had Baxter scrambling before palming away.
As the game approached the hour mark, Yeovil had the ball in Farman’s net after a well-taken free-kick was nodded in by Browne. Thankfully the Assistant’s flag was raised though and Stevenage could continue their push for all three points.
With 60 minutes on the clock, Maamria brought on Jordan Gibson for Moses Makasi, another Deadline Day signing. Now with Gibson on one side and Chair on the other, Stevenage had a dynamic wide pairing that would go on to cause the Glovers many issues for the remainder of the game.
Midway through the second half, Yeovil were having their best spell of the game, punctuated by a moving shot from Browne that had Farman briefly scrambling.
Stevenage soon got back on top though and on the 70th minute, finally found the breakthrough. Alex Revell with the near-post finish inside the box after Gibson found the striker from the right wing, lurking with intent from just a few yards out.
Defensively, Boro gave nothing away as Revell and Byrom soon made way for Iontton and Henry. The team were able to lock the game down throughout the remaining minutes to post an important three points in the race for the play-offs.