Goals from Jamie Reid, Ben Thompson and Elliott List wrap up a successful afternoon in Fleetwood...
Stevenage travelled north-west to The Highbury Stadium, searching for another three points to add to their already impressive tally. Fleetwood Town were the opponents, looking to escape the drop zone.
Just two changes were made by the gaffer from last Saturday’s victory over Lincoln City as Jake Forster-Caskey and Ben Thompson replaced Alex MacDonald and Nick Freeman in the midfield.
Boro, who were debuting a yellow and blue third strip, were dominant in the opening stages and managed to take the lead after ten minutes. Jordan Roberts received the ball on the right-hand side of the box before cutting it back to Jamie Reid who fired first time into the back of the net to get his fifteenth goal of the season.
The sun began to set over Fleetwood by the half hour mark as Stevenage were looking to double their lead. Finley Burns in midfield produced a magical turn inside his opponent’s half before playing Ben Thompson through, but the number twenty-four was unable to get a shot off.
Down the other end, Boro were forced to briefly defend as Fleetwood searched for an equaliser. The hosts managed to get a shot off but were denied by a superb Terence Vancooten block.
Stevenage were not under too much pressure for the remainder of the half as the visitors went into the break a goal up.
No changes were made ahead of the second half and Boro were now attacking towards the faithful away end.
Despite some early Fleetwood pressure in the second half, it was Stevenage to get the goal’s next game to increase their advantage. Kane Hemmings held the ball up beautifully up top as he played it to Ben Thompson who joined the attack and fired into the right-hand side of the net to grab his first goal for the club.
Boro were two goals in front but continued to put their bodies on the line in order to keep their clean sheet and ultimately the victory. Taye Ashby-Hammond held on to a close-range effort destined for goal before Carl Piergianni’s last second header denied Jayden Stockley soon after.
The gaffer made a triple change with under fifteen of the initial ninety minutes to go as Nathan Thompson, Louis Thompson and Nick Freeman replaced Ben Thompson, Jake Forster-Caskey and Jordan Roberts. Stevenage were now lined up in a back five with Nathan Thompson slotting into the middle of the defence.
A Fleetwood effort crashed against the crossbar with under ten to go before Boro made a fourth change. Goal-scorer Jamie Reid made way for number nine, Elliott List.
Taye Ashby-Hammond made an impressive double save late on, but the hosts still managed to tap the ball into the net. However, the linesman’s flag was raised to deny Fleetwood a goal back.
There were strong penalty claims made by the Stevenage dugout shortly after as Kane Hemmings appeared to have been pulled down inside the area, but the referee said no.
Five minutes of added time were then displayed as Stevenage made their final change. It was Alex MacDonald to be introduced in place of the hardworking Kane Hemmings.
Boro decided that a two-goal lead wasn’t enough, as they made it three in added time. Elliott List timed his run to perfection as he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper before slotting it into the back of the net after coming off the bench.
The referee then blew his final whistle to wrap up a rather convincing victory. Attention now turns to Tuesday’s clash at The Lamex with Peterborough.