Stevenage suffer their first defeat of the 2023/24 pre-season campaign...
Stevenage travelled north to Stamford, a club with which Steve Evans has plenty of history, for their third pre-season outing. Evans named yet another strong starting eleven, with Taye Ashby-Hammond in goal, behind a back four of Kane Smith, Terence Vancooten, Carl Piergianni and Dan Butler.
Jake Forster-Caskey, Ben Thompson and Trialist A occupied the midfield behind a front three of Jordan Roberts, Jamie Reid and Josh March.
As expected, Boro were dominant in the opening stages as they looked to take the lead against their non-league opponents. Trialist A found himself in a shooting opportunity just outside the box after ten minutes, forcing the Stamford goalkeeper to stretch to his left and deny.
After twenty minutes, Stamford took a surprise lead as Ricky Miller fired home past Taye Ashby-Hammond, catching Stevenage off guard.
Boro refused to let the goal phase them though, as they equalised just three minutes later. Jake Forster-Caskey was picked out inside the area, before grabbing his second goal of the pre-season campaign with a calm header.
Around the half hour mark, Evans was forced into his first change of the afternoon with Josh March making way for Trialist B. The sides soon went into the break one-apiece.
Seven changes were made at half-time. Trialist C, Luther James-Wildin, Nathan Thompson, Louis Thompson, Nick Freeman, Alex Macdonald and Elliott List came on for the second forty-five.
The second half was delayed by the referee due to a thunderstorm, but soon enough it passed and the game got back underway.
Steve Evans was forced into a couple more precautionary changes in the second half with Terence Vancooten and Elliott List making way for Trialist D and David Hicks. Jordan Roberts was also brought off in place of youngster Kymani Skyers.
Moments before List was substituted he came agonisingly close to giving his side the lead, but was denied by the post.
With fifteen minutes to play, Stamford regained their lead. A dangerous corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble which was eventually tapped in to give the hosts the lead.
Boro were unable to crawl back late on in the game as the referee blew his final whistle. Another good workout for Evans’ men which ended in defeat as preparations for the 2023/24 campaign continues.
Attendance: 389