Goals from strike partnership Luke Norris and Josh March give Stevenage all three points in Sky Bet League Two...
Stevenage returned to The Lamex Stadium looking to bounce back after a disappointing defeat to Rochdale the week prior. Steve Evans made five changes from that match, with emergency-loan goalkeeper Jon McCracken making his debut, alongside Jake Reeves, Jake Taylor, Kane Smith and Josh March returning to the starting eleven.
Josh March proved why he was deserving of a start just seven minutes in as he grabbed the opening goal for the hosts. Max Clark’s long ball down the left channel found the electric March beating his man for pace as he cut in on his right and fired high into the centre of the net to grab his first goal for the club.
Stevenage looked hungry for more and after just fourteen minutes, they doubled their lead. The ball was comfortably in Boro’s possession on the edge of the area before Alex Gilbey’s killer through ball found Kane Smith on the right-wing who drilled it into Luke Norris to tap home and grab his side’s second of the afternoon.
Boro were really playing with confidence before the half hour mark with some entertaining passages of play. Luke Norris tried his luck from distance, but his low drilled effort flew just wide of the mark.
A couple of minutes later though, Walsall got a goal back. Centre half Manny Monthe was lurking in Boro’s box as he tapped the ball past Jon McCracken to halve the deficit.
Despite the goal, Boro remained largely on top. Luke Norris attempted an impressive bicycle kick inside the area, but his effort sailed wide.
Just five minutes later, it was Josh March’s turn to attempt an overhead kick, but this time it paid off. Max Clark’s free kick was flicked up in the air by Luke Norris, allowing Josh March to adjust his body shape and acrobatically fire into the back of the net and get his second goal of the game.
March was on fire and came extremely close to getting a first-half hattrick. Max Clark’s cross found the striker’s head in the box, but his effort was collected by Owen Evans moments before the referee blew for half-time.
The opening fifteen minutes of the second half lacked the pace of the first forty-five minutes. On the hour mark, Carl Piergianni was booked, and Walsall were awarded a free kick. Conor Wilkinson took aim, but Jordan Roberts was there to head the danger clear.
Boro nearly netted their fourth of the afternoon, with twenty minutes remaining. Jordan Roberts turned inside the box before firing on goal, but his effort was blocked on the line.
Walsall’s Conor Wilkinson received the ball on the edge of the box but fired high and wide. The Saddlers had a golden chance just minutes later, but Douglas James-Taylor fired over from close range.
Evans made his first substitution with just five minutes remaining as Jake Taylor was replaced by Daryl Horgan in the right-midfield position. This was followed by Jamie Reid replacing Josh March who deservedly received an excellent ovation.
Stevenage did their job well in seeing out the victory and gaining a crucial three points in the fight for promotion. Danny Rose replaced Luke Norris in the dying moments before the referee concluded a successful afternoon for Stevenage. Boro return to The Lamex on Tuesday as they welcome Crewe Alexandra.
Attendance: 3441 including 364 away supporters