Football returned to The Herts FA County Ground on Sunday as a tight and competitive fixture against newly promoted Tier 5 opposition Dorking Wanderers played out in front of almost 100 fans. The tie was ultimately decided by a goal from Katie Butts in a game that even Wanderers Chairman, Calum Best admitted was a hard fought contest that could have gone either way.
With Dave Perry and Terry Harrison leading out the girls for their first pre season friendly of the season and the watchful gaze of a sizeable crowd, the opening exchanges were a tense, to-and-fro encounter. Both sides were working hard to keep the ball and neither side could find the pass that would allow a decent attempt on goal thanks to some superb and intuitive defending from the back lines.
It was the fantastic Kelsey Millen who came the closest to getting a sniff of goal after a superb cross from Captain Lucy Webster narrowly evaded Millen’s head and was turned behind for a corner. Dorking responded in kind with a long range effort that was rifled wide of the post and the outstretched arm of Mia O’Brien.
Within two minutes, the ball was in the back of the net. A superb layoff from Amy Gooderham by the corner flag allowed Hannah Nebbitt to send in a delicious cross that was inch perfect for Millen to head over the goalkeeper. Cue absolute scenes of ecstasy, only to be curtailed by the linesman who had the eyes of an owl to spot the infringement of offside on a very tight call.
Both teams made some changes to their personnel, making full use of the unlimited substitutions which led to a return to the chess match. Amy Gooderham came the closest for Boro’ with a superb right footed effort that flew just wide of the post after excellent work and service by Ciara Craig.
Dorking responded immediately, but their effort trickled tamely across goal and wide.
Stevenage returned the favour when Millen broke free of her defender for a charge at goal which resulted in an effort that did not trouble the goalkeeper. The build-up play for Stevenage had been incredibly good to watch, but no goal had been forthcoming as both sides left the pitch at level pegging.
The second half saw Boro’ out of the traps early, whilst again not quite being able to penetrate the defence for a clear cut opportunity. Millen had another opportunity midway through the half that looped over the bar.
Dorking were not simply taking the pressure however and they came close to breaking the deadlock when Hannah Thomas attacked from the left hand side and sent a curling effort goalwards that crashed off the crossbar to safety for Stevenage.
Stevenage again attacked, with one of the new signings having a double opportunity thwarted again by the resolute defence of Dorking. Within minutes Butts fired a warning shot just wide of goal after breaking free into the box. Boro’ failed to clear their lines from the next passage of play, resulting in Butts sending a cross goalwards. With a mix up between defence, Dorking attack and O’Brien, the ball trickled across the line for a fortuitous goal for Wanderers.
Boro’ fought back and in quick succession, saw efforts from Gooderham, Millen and Emily Schofield either saved, blocked, or sent wide of the target. The best chance to equalise came from a Schofield free kick that bounced all over the penalty area before whistling over the bar from a powerful attempt by Craig.
It brought to an end an outstanding first game. As Perry said afterwards, “There were loads of positives, minutes in the legs for the players and the result doesn’t reflect how the game went, but the result doesn’t matter now in pre-season.”
Millen thought Dorking were a “Good test, who kept up with our fitness and gave us a challenge.” A fair reflection of the game. However perhaps the last words for how Stevenage performed should go to Best. “You guys are a great side; I was happy with the win. I think you did so well last season and I am sure you will do well again this season. I wish Stevenage the best of luck, a great side with a great attitude from the players.”