Jamie Reid's second half brace awards Stevenage all three points in Crewe to get back to winning ways in Sky Bet League Two...
After victory on Tuesday in the Papa John’s Trophy, Stevenage returned to Sky Bet League Two action, looking to move on from the 1-0 defeat to Salford last weekend.
Steve Evans opted for his usual back three of Dan Sweeney, Terrence Vancooten and Carl Piergianni in front of Fulham loanee Taye Ashby-Hammond in goal. Luther Wildin and Saxon Earley occupied the wing-back roles either side a midfield three of Jake Reeves, Jake Taylor and debutant Alex Gilbey, who signed on deadline day. Jamie Reid and Luke Norris was the partnership in attack.
Neither side had much to get excited about in the opening ten minutes despite Stevenage having a lot of the ball. Crewe’s Tariq Uwakwe delivered a dangerous ball into the Boro box, but the ball was deflected over the bar and out for a corner.
Just under twenty minutes had been played and Crewe were awarded a penalty after Terence Vancooten’s misjudged challenge. Conor Thomas stepped up and was superbly denied by Taye Ashby-Hammond who flew down to his right to keep the score level.
Since the missed penalty, The Railwaymen continued to threaten and eventually found the back of the net. A pinpoint corner was sent into the area with Rodney McDonald rising highest and heading the ball past Ashby-Hammond to open the scoring for Crewe.
With five minutes to go until the break, Stevenage tried to claw back into the game. New signing, Alex Gilbey took aim from the edge of the area, but his deflected effort fell into the arms of Arthur Okonkwo. The remainder of the half was quiet as Stevenage went into half-time a goal down.
As the second half got underway, Boro immediately looked a better outfit as Evans’ men grabbed an equaliser. Luke Norris’ initial shot was parried out by Okonkwo and fell into the path of Jamie Reid who tapped home to level the scoring.
Crewe were affected by this equaliser and were determined to go back in front. ‘The Alex’ found themselves through on goal on a couple of occasions with Dan Sweeney and Saxon Earley both having to make last-ditch tackles.
After sixty-seven minutes, Boro miraculously took the lead. Saxon Earley’s cross into the box was fumbled by Arthur Okonkwo and once again into the path of Jamie Reid who slotted home to grab his fourth of the season.
Jordan Roberts, who was introduced in the second half in place of Alex Gilbey, looked a real threat and was causing the Crewe defence some problems. His cross fell to Luke Norris who attempted the volley but fired wide.
Tension was beginning to grow in the final ten minutes as Crewe were frustrated and Stevenage were looking to wind down the clock. Five minutes of additional time were held up by the fourth official.
Those five added minutes were extremely tense but Boro saw the game out to perfection as the referee blew his final whistle, concluding a superb win for Steve Evans’ side. Onto next Saturday as Stevenage welcome Sutton United to The Lamex.
Attendance: 3,669 with 167 supporters.
---