Stevenage's Carabao Cup campaign comes to an end despite Jordan Roberts' leveller...
After knocking Watford out of the First Round of the Carabao Cup, Stevenage were met with a 450-mile round trip to Devon to face fellow League One side Exeter City in the Second Round. Steve Evans made six changes from Saturday’s draw with Pompey as Krisztian Hegyi, Nathan Thompson, Dan Sweeney, Elliott List, Harrison Neal and Theo Alexandrou coming into the side.
Sweeney and List were making their first starts after long periods out through injury, and 18-year-old Alexandrou was making his first professional start after signing a pro contract in the May of this year.
Boro were caught by surprise after just five minutes as Exeter took an early lead. A corner met the head of the unmarked Alex Hartridge whose initial header was blocked, but it fell straight back to him on the rebound as he volleyed it past the Hungarian stopper.
Stevenage began to grow into the game after the goal as they worked their way towards a potential equaliser. Theo Alexandrou tried his luck from the edge of the area after eighteen minutes, but his effort was blocked.
Overall, it was a slow first half with neither goalkeeper having much to deal with bar the early goal. Boro were enjoying some possession outside the eighteen-yard box but were unable to carve out many clear chances as they looked patient in their build-up.
However, they really livened up in the later stages of the half as they looked for an equaliser. Theo Alexandrou’s quick feet allowed him to lay the ball through to Elliott List whose effort stung the goalkeeper’s hands.
The Grecians did have a chance to double their lead though, just before the interval. A low ball was driven into the area as Sonny Cox looked to tap in, but Stevenage defended well and managed to clear the danger.
At half-time, Steve Evans made his first change as youngster Theo Alexandrou made way for Jamie Reid to come on against his boyhood club. Reid almost made an immediate impact as he struck the post within a minute of being on the field, but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside regardless.
Ten minutes into the half, there was a second change for Stevenage as Reece Hannam slotted into midfield in place of Harrison Neal. Then just after the hour mark, Harry Anderson was introduced for his Boro debut, replacing Alex MacDonald.
Within just minutes of being on the pitch, Anderson grabbed his first assist in a Stevenage shirt to give his side the equaliser they had been pushing for. His pinpoint cross into the area found the head of Jordan Roberts who calmly nodded the ball into the bottom left corner to level the scoring in front of the travelling support.
A third change was made soon after as skipper Carl Piergianni was brought on for Elliott List who had done himself proud in his first competitive start for over a year.
Ten minutes of the ninety remained when Finley Burns, playing in midfield, was fouled outside the Exeter area. Dan Butler’s ball into the area was headed down by Carl Piergianni who then received the ball back before forcing the goalkeeper into a save.
Stevenage defended well over the next ten minutes to see through to the end of the game, but the fourth official held up six minutes of additional time, giving the sides an opportunity for any final chances.
Neither goalkeeper was really tested in injury time as the referee blew his whistle to send the game into a penalty shootout.
It was Exeter’s Ryan Trevitt to step up first in front of a large terrace of Grecian fans before slotting it into the back of the net. Jamie Reid then took for Boro in front of his former supporters as he fired it past the keeper.
Tom Carroll netted his penalty before Jordan Roberts levelled the scoring.
Exeter’s Will Aimson superbly fired his penalty into the top right corner before Dan Butler stepped up for Stevenage. Unfortunately, the left back’s penalty was saved by Vil Sinsalo as Exeter got the advantage.
Dan Sweeney grabbed one back in the shootout, but it was all on Exeter’s Pierce Sweeney to give his side the victory as he fired into the bottom corner to knock Boro out of this campaign’s Carabao Cup.
Stevenage can now turn their attention back to league football with an important trip to Leyton Orient this Saturday.
Attendance: 4006 including 91 away supporters.