Stevenage take home all three points in Cheltenham thanks to Jordan Roberts' opener followed by an Elliott List brace...
Stevenage travelled west to Gloucestershire hoping to continue their positive start to their League One campaign. Cheltenham Town were the opponents looking to stand in the way of a victory as they also looked to pick up some vital points. Three changes were made from last weekend’s draw with Charlton Athletic as Krisztian Hegyi, Ben Thompson and Charlie McNeill returned to the starting eleven.
Boro started the game brightly as they looked to take an early lead, and after eight minutes they did exactly that. Dan Butler’s corner was whipped into the area causing all sorts of problems for The Robins’ defence as Jordan Roberts fired home directly in front of the superb travelling support.
Roberts looked lively early on as he almost doubled his tally moments later. Nick Freeman delivered a teasing cross into the box with Jordan Roberts rising highest, but his headed effort was well saved by Luke Southwood.
A couple of chances came Stevenage’s way soon after as Charlie McNeill and Carl Piergianni tried their luck from the edge of the area. McNeill saw his effort blocked and Piergianni fired just over the crossbar.
After the half hour mark had passed, Stevenage withstood a period of pressure from Cheltenham as the hosts looked for their first league goal of the season. Boro were determined to keep their clean sheet though, as The Robins failed to find the back of the net.
Stevenage managed to put the pace of the game back in their hands soon after as the fourth official held up seven minutes of additional time. Cheltenham had one last chance in the first half but were denied by a wonder save from Krisztian Hegyi moments before the half-time whistle.
No changes were made by either side at half-time as the second half soon got underway.
The opening ten minutes of the second half was a lot slower in pace as Cheltenham lost their momentum. A first change was made for Stevenage as Elliott List came on in place of Charlie McNeill.
On the hour mark, Boro had a golden chance to double their lead as Elliott List won possession of the ball allowing Jamie Reid to drive forward with it. The striker beat his man before taking aim, but Luke Southwood pushed his effort marginally wide of the post.
With twenty minutes to go, substitute Elliott List doubled Stevenage’s lead to the delight of the away supporters. The forward was unmarked at the back post as he fired home to get his first goal since returning from a year-long spell out through injury. A truly heart-warming moment.
Five minutes later, List had an eye for goal as the substitute doubled his tally and got the final goal of the game. Ben Thompson's long-range effort stung the hands of the Cheltenham goalkeeper, allowing Elliott List to tap in the rebound for Stevenage. The visitors were very much enjoying themselves.
Jamie Reid looked destined to get his name on the scoresheet soon after as he received a delightful diagonal pass from Carl Piergianni. Reid looked up and took aim but fired just wide of the mark.
Stevenage were very comfortable with their three-goal advantage and four changes were made late on. Jordan Roberts, Ben Thompson, Finley Burns and Jamie Reid made way for Alex MacDonald, Louis Thompson, Harrison Neal and Kane Hemmings.
Eventually, the referee blew his final whistle as Stevenage took home a big three points in their quest to prove themselves to be a threat in the third tier. Boro return to The Lamex Stadium next Saturday for a third vs second clash with Oxford United.
Attendance: 3,947 (349 away).