Honours even in a battling draw at The Lamex...
Stevenage returned to The Lamex Stadium with just 11 games remaining, as they continued their exciting race for the League One play-off places. Fleetwood themselves were also looking for a huge result as they battle for safety.
The gaffer made just two changes from last weekend’s hard-earned draw in Lincoln as Harvey White and Kane Hemmings came into the starting eleven, in place of Jake Forster-Caskey and Alex MacDonald.
Boro were, by far, the brighter of the two sides early on as they looked to take an early lead against ‘The Cod Army’. Finley Burns found himself in a rare attacking position and touched the ball down beautifully on the right flank, before laying it to Jamie Reid inside the area. The striker looked to back-heel the ball to a teammate, but the threat was cleared by Fleetwood.
Inside eight minutes, Stevenage created another chance to put pressure on the Fleetwood defence. A corner ball met the towering head of Carl Piergianni, but his effort on goal was blocked. Roughly ten minutes later, Piergianni got on the end of another dangerous ball, but this time his header flew over the bar.
All the attacking play was going Stevenage’s way in the first half, but they couldn’t quite find that all-important chance. After half an hour, there was a lengthy stoppage in play as Elijah Campbell went down after a 50/50 challenge and was substituted off after receiving treatment.
The play slowed for Stevenage following the Fleetwood change, but one last chance came for Jamie Reid before the break. Carl Piergianni headed it down to the forward inside the area, but Reid’s effort was too tame to trouble the Fleetwood goalkeeper.
Five minutes were added on at the end of the first half, but it wasn’t enough for Stevenage to find a way through, despite their dominance, as the score line was goalless going into the break.
At half-time, Boro made a double substitution as Finley Burns and Harvey White made way for Nick Freeman and Nesta Guinness-Walker.
The second half started promisingly as Boro looked to take the lead in quick fashion. The ball fell to Luther James-Wildin who looked to drill an effort on goal, but Jay Lynch denied.
Fleetwood had a rare chance on goal shortly after, but Taye Ashby-Hammond pulled off a wonderful stop to keep the score line level.
A third Stevenage change was made after the hour mark, as Elliott List made his return, in place of Kane Hemmings up top.
With over twenty of the ninety minutes remaining, Fleetwood were reduced to ten men as Harrison Holgate received his second yellow card of the afternoon. Stevenage now had the one-man advantage as they looked to earn an important three points.
Elliott List looked to cause danger for Fleetwood, as he was fouled on the edge of the area, resulting in a free kick from a dangerous position. It was Dan Butler to take the set-piece, as his powerful effort was kept out by Jay Lynch.
Stevenage were continuously fight hard for that vital opening goal, and even had the ball in the back of the net through Jamie Reid with ten minutes to go, but the linesman’s flag was raised to keep the score at 0-0.
Still, it was all Stevenage as the clock reached ninety, but somehow the deadlock had still not been broken. Plenty of chances were being created with several balls being sent into the box, but Boro just could not find the back of the net after all their hard work.
The Fourth Official held up four additional minutes at the end of the second half, which turned out to just not be enough as the final whistle was blown, sending both sides home with a point.
The side remain inside the play-offs following today’s result as they now prepare for an enormous clash with Peterborough United on Wednesday evening.
Attendance: 3,911 including 110 away supporters.
