Stevenage take home a point after an end-to-end contest at The Suit Direct Stadium...
Stevenage’s impressive 2022/23 campaign was quickly reaching completion with just seven games to go. The first of which involved a long journey to the North east of England to face John Askey’s Hartlepool, who were on a run of seven games unbeaten despite being involved in a relegation battle.
For Boro, any points earned would potentially mean a return to the top three after being held to a draw against Colchester on Good Friday. Steve Evans made just one change from that afternoon at The Lamex Stadium as Michael Bostwick came in for Jake Forster-Caskey.
Stevenage created the game’s first real chance inside just three minutes as Luther James-Wildin picked out Jamie Reid with a sublime ball into the box. Reid turned neatly before taking aim, but his left-footed shot deflected past the post for a corner.
The next twenty minutes were open with both sides creating half chances, but neither goalkeeper was tested. At this stage, the rain began to pour and did not look like stopping any time soon.
Eventually Stevenage, perhaps deservedly, broke the deadlock. Luther James-Wildin’s cross perfectly met the head of Danny Rose inside the box who flicked it past the goalkeeper to give his side the lead.
In the final stages of the first half, the atmosphere inside the Suit Direct Stadium picked up as the action on the pitch began to heat up.
There were strong appeals for a handball as Hartlepool’s Jakub Stolarczyk rushed out of his box to make a clearance, but the referee denied the claims. Then, moments later Terence Vancooten found his name in the referee’s book for a late challenge.
The half-time whistle was then blown as Stevenage went into the break with a one goal advantage after a hard-fought battle.
Just one minute into the second half though, the hosts grabbed an equaliser. A defensive mishap was capitalised on, as Dan Kemp turned inside the box before laying it off to Nicky Featherstone who picked out the bottom corner.
Shortly after, Terence Vancooten’s time was up as he was replaced by Jake Taylor in midfield.
Just after the hour mark, Boro found themselves attacking the Hartlepool area once again as they looked to regain their lead. Jamie Reid turned inside the area, but his effort was blocked.
The visitors conceded a corner minutes later which caused problems. The ball trickled on the line before finding its way to Euan Murray who fired high over the bar from point blank range.
With over fifteen minutes to play plus additional time, Evans made his second substitute of the afternoon as Michael Bostwick was replaced by the creative Jake Forster-Caskey.
Five minutes remained now, and both sides were searching for an all-important winner, which meant the game’s pace drastically increased. Jake Forster-Caskey’s corner was caught by the goalkeeper and Hartlepool broke on the counter. Through Luther James-Wildin’s formidable defending, the score somehow remained level.
Down the other end, it was Stevenage’s turn to try and find a winner. Jake Taylor’s tame effort inside the area found James-Wildin at the back post who slid in to try and tap in, but his effort fell wide.
Daryl Horgan then replaced Jamie Reid as the fourth official held up an additional six minutes to be played.
The weather conditions were simply horrid in the closing stages of the game, which increased the pace of the game. Tom Crawford tried his luck from the edge of the area, but Thimothee Lo-Tutala got down quickly to deny and keep the score level.
The final minute of the game was as end-to-end as a football match will ever be. For Hartlepool the ball was squared to an open attacker who failed to get the ball from under his feet as Stevenage cleared the ball and breathed a sigh of relief.
Up the other end, Boro looked destined to take all three points in extraordinary fashion. Jordan Roberts had acres of space to run into down the left-hand side, before playing it into Daryl Horgan who took a touch, and witnessed his shot get blocked on the line as the referee blew for full-time.
Somehow, a thrilling end to the game had no difference-maker as both sides took home a point. Stevenage return to The Lamex Stadium next Saturday as they welcome AFC Wimbledon.
Attendance: 5687 including 171 away supporters.