The dynamic front three of Jamie Reid, Jordan Roberts and Elliott List grab the goals at The Lamex Stadium...
For many, Boxing Day is all about the football, and this year it was no different for Stevenage supporters as a crowd of over five thousand arrived at The Lamex Stadium for a clash with Northampton Town in League One.
The gaffer made three changes from the defeat to Barnsley three days prior as Louis Thompson, Nick Freeman and Elliott List returned to the starting eleven, in place of Terence Vancooten, Jake Forster-Caskey and Kane Hemmings.
It was the dream start for Stevenage as they took the lead inside just two minutes to excite the already-lively home crowd. A defensive mishap from Northampton was capitalised on as Elliott List played Jamie Reid through on goal, and the number nineteen slotted it calmly to the left of the goalkeeper. That is now eighteen in all competitions for the in-form striker.
Elliott List looked incredibly lively from the off as he looked to run at the Cobblers’ defence. His well-known pace was on display as he burst past three defenders and won his side a corner, but the set-piece was defended by the opposition.
On the eighteenth minute, Boro were on the attack and looking to double their lead. Louis Thompson had the ball in the back of the net, but the referee blew his whistle for a foul a moment before.
Dan Butler stood over a corner five minutes later, as Stevenage piled the box. It was a dangerous ball sent to the front post, but Jamie Reid’s header directed at the far corner fell wide.
Boro were on top for large parts and had very little to deal with defensively in the first half. In attack, number nine Elliott List looked sharp and was continuously looking for runs in behind. Ten minutes before the break, he turned superbly just inside the box before shooting from a tight angle and forcing Max Thompson into a save.
List almost found his name on the scoresheet moments later as Jamie Reid had the ball on the by-line and sent a low cross in just behind the feet of the number nine.
Five minutes before the break, Stevenage doubled their lead and deservedly so. Jordan Roberts was in possession on the left wing before sending a cross into the box which lobbed the Northampton goalkeeper and found the back of the net.
Again, Boro had little to defend as the referee blew for half-time.
The opening stages of the second half were far slower as Stevenage looked comfortable with their lead and were able to be patient in their build-up play.
Before the hour mark, Luther James-Wildin found Nick Freeman just inside the area, but he fired over with his left-foot.
Elliott List had been itching for a goal all afternoon, and with over twenty minutes to play he deservedly scored his fourth of the campaign. Finley Burns worked incredibly hard to gain possession of the ball as his tackle played Elliott List through on goal, with the number nine producing a calm finish into the far corner to make it three for Boro.
Stevenage were now flying and playing with bundles of confidence as they continued to limit Northampton to very little.
The Boro faithful were in high spirits and could be heard loud and clear for the entire ninety minutes. Meanwhile, the Northampton supporters were simply hoping to see a shot on the Stevenage goal.
With ten remaining, Elliott List looked to double his tally as his effort from the right-hand side of the area stung the hands of the goalkeeper.
Three minutes of added time were held up by the fourth official, but the game was dead and buried as Boro looked extremely untroubled.
A quadruple change was then made by the Gaffer to see out the final moments. It was Ben Thompson, Alex MacDonald, Kane Hemmings and Aaron Pressley being introduced in place of Louis Thompson, Jordan Roberts, Elliott List and Jamie Reid.
Jake Forster-Caskey then entered the field in place of Finley Burns before the referee blew his final whistle to conclude a successful afternoon for the hosts. It was a dominant performance throughout to claim the league double over Northampton Town.
That’s not it for 2023 though, as Boro return to The Lamex this coming Friday for the arrival of Cambridge United.
Attendance: 5164 including 895 away supporters