Jamie Reid scores the all-important goal once again as Stevenage pick up another three points...
With football entering an international break, Stevenage were the highest ranked team in England with a game to play, as they welcomed Lincoln City to The Lamex Stadium for League One action. The Imps were looking to start a new era in the correct manner under the management of Michael Skubala.
The Boro boss opted for an unchanged starting eleven from last weekend’s victory over Wycombe, with fifteen-year-old goalkeeper, Max Woodford, earning a place on the bench after becoming the club’s youngest-ever senior player in midweek.
Stevenage started the game brightly, producing some neat patterns of play as they looked to take the lead. A couple of efforts were had on goal, with Dan Butler and Alex MacDonald trying their luck from outside the area inside ten minutes, but they were unable to hit the target.
After twenty-five minutes, it was Jamie Reid’s turn to try and give his side the lead, as a volleyed attempt was comfortable enough for Lincoln’s Lukas Jensen to collect. Boro were seeing more attempts on goal than their opponents, but the score remained goalless after half an hour.
With just over five minutes of the first half to go, there were huge appeals for a penalty to Stevenage as Jamie Reid appeared to be dragged down inside the area, but the referee dismissed the claims and the game resumed.
Eventually, the referee blew his whistle for half-time to send the sides into the break goalless.
Ahead of the second half, the gaffer made a double change in midfield as Jake Forster-Caskey and Ben Thompson were introduced in place of Alex MacDonald and Nick Freeman.
Stevenage had a golden opportunity to take the lead seven minutes into the second half as Jake Forster-Caskey’s low ball into the six-yard area was parried out to Jamie Reid who saw his effort denied. Boro were looking lively as they looked to take the upper hand.
Stevenage were coming closer and closer to that opener and were even denied by the woodwork on the hour mark. Kane Hemmings found space in the box before seeing his effort crash against the post.
Boro had to be patient, but after 68 minutes they got their deserved opening goal. Jake Forster-Caskey’s corner caused all sorts of problems for the Lincoln defence as the reliable Jamie Reid tapped home a goal-mouth scramble to give his side the lead and score his fourteenth goal of the season in all competitions.
The hosts pushed for a second as they looked to kill the game. Again, it was Jake Forster-Caskey’s dangerous deliveries causing chaos, with Carl Piergianni’s header falling into the hands of Lukas Jensen.
Boro’s number eight was certainly the difference-maker, and he almost grabbed a goal himself. The midfielder stood over another set-piece before clipping the crossbar from 25-yards-out.
Jamie Reid almost doubled his tally late on, but his headed effort was cleared at the last moment.
Stevenage were relentless in added time as they appeared to have plenty of energy left in the tank. Jamie Reid hit the side-netting before the final whistle was blown to award Stevenage all three points and a clean sheet.
Once again, it was Jamie Reid to get the all-important goal as Stevenage moved to 4th place in League One. It’s now a week off for the lads before a trip to Fleetwood Town next weekend.
Attendance: 5,075 including 886 away supporters.