Stevenage advance to the second round of The Carabao Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout with Championship opposition...
Competitive football returned to the Lamex Stadium for the first time since ‘promotion day’ in April as Watford arrived for a first-round Carabao Cup tie. Boro made six changes from their victory in Northampton as Krisztian Hegyi, Alex Macdonald, Jake Forster-Caskey, Nick Freeman, Kane Smith and Josh March made the starting eleven.
The Hornets made just the one change from their opening day victory with goalkeeper Ben Hamer relacing Daniel Bachmann.
Watford’s higher level of quality was on display from minute one as they took the lead after just five minutes. Striker Vakoun Bayo tapped home from close-range to open the scoring.
League One Boro grew into the game soon after as they looked to apply pressure on their Championship opponents. Quickfire passing and tough battling earned them a free-kick just outside the area, but Jake Forster-Caskey’s cross fell into the hands of Ben Hamer.
Watford failed to push on for a second goal in the twenty minutes after their opener as a large portion of the action was in their half. Alex Macdonald looked to bring the ball forward, unleashing a dangerous ball into the area with Aaron Pressley getting a tame header on it.
Stevenage came agonisingly close to equalising on the thirty-minute mark as Jake Forster-Caskey and Aaron Pressley saw efforts denied from point-blank range in quick succession.
After being on the front foot for a large portion of the half, Boro got their deserved leveller. Jake Forster-Caskey’s corner bounced around in the area before Josh March’s acrobatic effort flew into the back of the net.
The six minutes of added time went in favour of Stevenage who couldn’t quite find a chance worthy of taking the lead. The sides then went into the break with the score line level. Steve Evans made one change at half-time with midfielder Louis Thompson replacing centre back Finley Burns.
Boro aimed to stay on the front foot as the second half got underway as they earned a free kick from shooting range. It was Alex Macdonald who stood over it, with his low-driven effort sailing narrowly wide.
Stevenage really enjoyed themselves in the second half as Watford struggled to get out of their own half at times. There was a reasonably long stoppage in play before the hour mark as Aaron Pressley and Francisco Sierralta clashed heads, but both were able to continue. Jake Forster-Caskey came close to putting his side in front soon after as his effort from the edge of the box deflected out for a corner.
Two more substitutions were made for Boro with twenty minutes of regular time remaining. Aaron Pressley and Nick Freeman’s home debuts came to an end as they were replaced by Jordan Roberts and Ben Thompson.
Hungarian stopper Krisztian Hegyi was called into action mid-way through the second half as a quick counterattack by Watford ended up with Hegyi producing a sublime save to his lower right-hand side to keep the scoring level.
A like-for-like change was made in attack with ten minutes of the ninety to go as goalscorer Josh March made way for Jamie Reid with Boro looking for a winner.
Krisztian Hegyi was called upon for a second time just before injury time as he superbly parried away Rhys Healey’s close-range header. The fourth official then signalled nine minutes of additional time to be played.
The nine minutes were largely quiet as the game appeared to be going to penalties. Eventually the referee blew his whistle to confirm that the game would head to a shootout.
It was Watford to take first in front of the North Stand full of Boro fans, but Wesley Hoedt felt no pressure as he slotted it into the left-hand side of the net. Jamie Reid was first up for Stevenage, but couldn’t repeat his Villa Park heroics as his effort flew over the crossbar.
Francisco Sierralta was next for Watford and fired to Hegyi’s left despite him getting a fingertip to it. Then, it was Jordan Roberts to fire home for Boro.
Watford’s next taker was Ryan Porteous who fired high and wide to the delight of the Stevenage fans. Jake Forster-Caskey had the opportunity to level the scoring, and he did exactly that with his fine left-footed strike.
Krisztian Hegyi, who had had a fine evening all-round, was the hero for Boro as he saved Rhys Healey’s penalty to give Boro the upper hand. Alex Macdonald then scored to take the shootout into its fifth and final round.
Ismael Kone calmly slotted his penalty into the bottom corner to give the Hornets some hope, but up stepped temporary captain Nathan Thompson to fire home and complete yet another cup upset for Steve Evans’ Boro.
Stevenage now await the second round draw which will be televised on Wednesday the ninth of August.
Attendance: 4,495 including 1,373 away supporters.
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