Bristol Rovers come from behind to win at The Lamex...
Stevenage returned to the Lamex Stadium in the hopes of an entertaining evening under the lights in League One, as Bristol Rovers made the trip to Hertfordshire.
Four changes were made from the side that drew with Port Vale on Saturday as Finley Burns, Dan Butler, Jordan Roberts and Kane Hemmings returned to the starting eleven.
It was all Stevenage in the opening stages of the game, and that was made clear when the hosts opened the scoring after just five minutes. Dan Butler’s long throw into the box was poorly cleared by Bristol Rovers, allowing Kane Hemmings to fire home from six yards.
Bristol Rovers offered very little in attack despite sending plenty of bodies forward, and Boro were utilising their high-press to good effect.
Jamie Reid had a golden opportunity to make it two after twenty minutes, but his powerful effort on goal was blocked by a Bristol Rovers defender.
Boro continued their dominance, and after 24 minutes, they scored their second of the evening. Again, it was Dan Butler providing the ball into the box, this time from a long free-kick as Dan Sweeney headed it over to Kane Hemmings, who knocked it down for Jake Forster-Caskey to fire home with his favoured left foot.
It looked as though Stevenage were going to try and kill the game off, but the game’s next goal came for Bristol Rovers. It was Luke Thomas who fired low and hard from outside the area to pull one back for the visitors after half an hour.
Just over five minutes later, Boro looked to regain their two-goal advantage through Nick Freeman, whose tremendous piece of skill gave him space to shoot on the edge of the box, but his effort was smashed into the side netting.
Boro were reasonably comfortable despite the visitors’ goal, as they went into the break 2-1 up.
Neither side made a change at half-time, as the second half soon got underway.
Five minutes into the half, Stevenage had two big chances to score their third of the evening. First, Jamie Reid’s effort from inside the area was well saved by the Bristol Rovers stopper, before Nick Freeman’s powerful effort from the edge of the area was tipped over the bar.
Two further chances came for Boro as the ball remained largely in the Bristol Rovers half. First, Kane Hemmings effort was denied before Jamie Reid’s low shot was blocked.
Despite all the attacking play coming Stevenage’s way for the first fifteen minutes of the second half, Bristol Rovers scored their equaliser just past the hour mark. It was Chris Martin who pounced inside the area to tap home from close range. Two chances for the visitors; two goals.
Boro were caught completely off-guard five minutes later, as the Gas completed a comeback to make it 3-2. Antony Evans received the ball 25 yards from goals before firing into the top left corner to give his side the lead for the first time in the game.
A triple substitution followed, six minutes later, as Jake Forster-Caskey, Kane Hemmings and Jordan Roberts made way for Nesta Guinness-Walker, Vadaine Oliver and Ben Thompson.
With over ten minutes of the ninety to play, Stevenage had a free-kick in a fairly dangerous position as Ben Thompson and Dan Butler stood over it. Thompson hopped over the ball, with the latter firing low and hard on target, but the visitors’ stopper held on comfortably.
Minutes later, Dan Butler’s corner met the head of Carl Piergianni, but the defender’s headed effort was deflected onto the woodwork.
The clock was winding down as Bristol Rovers remained in front. The gaffer made his fourth change, as Louis Thompson replaced Finley Burns in the middle of the park.
Eight minutes of injury time were held up by the Fourth Official as Stevenage continued to push forward for a late equaliser.
Boro saw pretty much all of the possession in injury time, but were unable to clear enough chance to get that late equaliser. Nick Freeman found some space outside of the box, but his low, powerful effort was dragged just wide of the mark.
A double Bristol Rovers change was made before the referee blew his final whistle. It was a superb first-half for Stevenage, but three chances for Bristol Rovers were all converted, meaning they went home with all three points.
Boro now head back to the training ground and prepare for a huge test away to Derby County on Saturday.
Attendance: 3,231, including 376 away.