Stevenage notched up their second league win of the season with a comprehensive victory over AFC Dunstable at Creasey Park this weekend. With the fixture being moved from the traditional pitch to the 4G surface where last season’s Pre-Season Friendly was played, it was literally an uphill trek for both sides before the game had even begun.
Boro’ began reasonably well with a number of crosses being sent in from the flanks, all to no avail as Kezia Hassall collected each one confidently. The visitors continued to grow into the game and with just under a quarter of an hour elapsed, Kelsey Millen unselfishly opted to lay the ball off for Amy Makewell who was unable to get her shot off as she was closed down quickly.
It was Makewell again who tried her luck from the angle, watching her effort curling off target, just before Anna Baker-Re tried her luck from the same position, only to see Hassall tip the ball onto the apex of post and bar before collecting the rebound.
It was not completely one way traffic with Dunstable continuing to show Boro’ that they were capable of testing the defence – especially with the pace of Mollie Knox. When they earned a corner, it was Knox who sent the ball goalwards and past Celine Ray, only to see Lilia Dempsey stretch out her right leg to its fullest extent to swipe the ball off the line.
Boro’ returned to testing Hassall with efforts from Hannah Bodily going over from distance and narrowly wide following a run across the area from Amy Gooderham. The latter had her own attempt from a Dempsey cross that was just too high for her to fully connect with, resulting in a looping header that was well claimed by Hassall.
Knox continued to cause havoc with the defence as she beat the offside trap only to see the imposing figure of Ray bearing down upon her. Ray bravely made the save, receiving a leg to the face for her trouble, which delayed the game while reminding Boro’ that Dunstable were still in the game.
Upon the restart, Bodily had another attempt, much closer in this time, following a ball in from Rebecca Edge. This header however found the arms of Hassall. It was to be the last heroic effort from the Dunstable stopper. The next ball in from the left came from the excellent Dempsey and following some experienced movement, Makewell stole in front of Olivia West and cushioned the ball past the helpless goalkeeper.
Gooderham saw a speculative shot goalwards stopped down low with an unorthodox save before a triumvirate of corners. The first saw Edge’s bullet header receive a slight deflection from Ella Claridge that knocked it onto the bar and out for a second corner. This one arrived for Jodie Southby to hook a shot goalwards that Hassall turned behind although the ball was slipping just wide. The final corner saw Claridge’s header fall to the feet of Makewell whose shot was turned in at close range from Dempsey. There was a suspicion of offside, but upon review – the assistant referee had the call spot on. The goal stood and Boro’ went in at the break two goals to the good.
Dave Perry made three changes at half time and with a revitalised Dunstable pushing to get back in the game, chances were at a premium. As the hour mark ticked over, a backpass to Ray was controlled, but closed down and the second touch from Ray never came as she upended the attacker and Alec Hill pointed to the spot. Knox stepped up to take it, sending the ball low to Ray’s left - the direction that the Boro’ ‘keeper chose to dive – resulting in a good save.
With the clean sheet intact, Boro’ reacted. Makewell was unlucky to see her effort strike the base of the post, but three minutes later Makewell sent an inch perfect cross for the onrushing Millen to head home unmarked.
Boro’ had broken the resistance and went for the jugular. Wave after wave of Boro’ attacks were either repelled or incomplete before the pick of the goals. Lilia Dempsey caused mayhem for the defence once more as she drove goalwards before sending a low cross in that Harriet Sapwell could only brush with her foot, before watching Gooderham unleash a left footed curler into the top corner from eighteen yards.
Thaarmishaa Thayalan thwarted Makewell with a well timed block just as the striker unleashed a right footed rocket. There was nothing anyone could do about the final goal however. The ball in was laid off by Millen with her back to goal for Emily Schofield on her 70th first team appearance, who placed the ball past the outstretched arm of Hassall from the edge of the box.
Makewell and Dempsey both had golden chances as the game drew to a close, but the score remained at five, giving Boro’ their second clean sheet of the league season and their third of the season as a whole.
“I still feel we have gears to go up,” manager David Perry said after the game. “That said, we were moving them around well and we played well. All of them deserve credit today.” With the double header against Barking coming up it was a welcome three points that meant Boro’ are now closer to fifth in points than the relegation zone.
AFC Dunstable XI: Hassall (c), Cook, West, Robb, Sapwell, Devereux, H Smith, Surridge, Claridge, Knox, Fundikira
Subs: S Smith, Thayalan, Whitburn, Brazel-Hawkins, Hogan
Booked: Knox
Stevenage XI: Ray, Edge, Gunn, Brooks, Baker-Re, Bodily, Southby, Makewell, Gooderham, Dempsey, Millen
Subs: Clarke, Schofield, Thomas-O’Keefe
Goals: Makewell, Dempsey, Millen, Gooderham, Schofield
Booked: Ray
You can see Stevenage FCW in action in yet another away game as they do battle once again with Barking in the ERWFL League Cup on Sunday 5th November. Keep your eye on the social media platforms for more details - @stevenagefcw.
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