Stevenage go on their travels to the West Midlands this Saturday for a crucial Sky Bet League Two clash with league leaders Walsall…
Following on from Tuesday’s Carabao Cup Round One victory against Championship side Reading, Steve Evans’ men return to Sky Bet League Two action.
Both sides will be looking to build on their opening two wins in the league, with Walsall currently topping the table thanks to their 4-0 win against Hartlepool on the opening day.
After finishing 16th in Sky Bet League Two last campaign, The Saddlers were hoping for an improved season in order to return to Sky Bet League One. So far, there has been plenty of positives for Michael Flynn’s side, with their 4-0 win at home to Hartlepool being followed by a 1-0 away victory against Newport County.
Walsall boss Michael Flynn joined the West Midlands side in February 2022 after previously resigning from his job at Newport County. Flynn’s 4-year managerial stint at Newport was his first taste of management in which he led the Exiles to two play-off finals, coming short on both occasions. In his first full season as Walsall boss, there is no doubt that Flynn will be hoping to guide his team to success.
Stevenage and Walsall have met on eleven occasions over the last decade, with the results being neck and neck so far. Both sides have picked up three victories against the other, whilst the remaining five contests ended in a draw. The first competitive meeting between the two clubs had nothing to write home about, as The Lamex Stadium witnessed a 0-0 draw in 2011.
Boro’s first victory over the Saddlers came in the 2012/13 campaign as goals from Lucas Akins, Greg Tansey and Robin Shroot contributed to a 3-1 win in Hertfordshire. Last season, it was a mixed bag of results between the two sides. Walsall’s home fixture against Boro ended 1-0 to the Saddlers towards the start of the season. The reverse fixture at The Lamex would be in January 2022 with Stevenage picking up a 3-1 victory, as an early own goal was followed by goals from Jake Taylor and Chris Lines to award Boro the three points.
Since it’s opening in 1990, The Poundland Bescot Stadium has been home to Walsall Football Club. The ground holds a capacity of 11,300 with it’s record attendance of 11,049 being set in 2004. It is situated less than a mile from junction 9 of the M6 motorway and has a mainline railway station within easy walking distance. In 2015, the stadium played host to an Elton John concert in front of 14,000 fans.
Charles Breakspear has been appointed as Match Referee for this fixture, alongside Assistants Christopher Wade and Declan O’Shea with Robert Lewis as Fourth Official. The last time Breakspear overlooked a Stevenage fixture was when Steve Evans’ men earned a 2-0 victory in Colchester towards the end of last season, with Luke Norris receiving a red card.
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