Another three points on the road...

Stevenage picked up their third win in a row as Joe Martin’s free kick was enough to seal a 1-0 win away at Cheltenham.

Darren Sarll named just the one change from the victory at Barnet last Saturday. Harry Beautyman came in for the suspended Dale Gorman. Both Gorman and Ben Kennedy were away on international duty for Northern Ireland Under 21s. 

The opening 20 minutes was quite a tight affair. Neither side dominated, nor risked possession going forward. Danny Newton and Harry Beautyman were the only players from either side to test the opposing goalkeeper in the opening moments of the match. 

In the opening half hour, Stevenage looked most likely to score. Matty Godden was getting his fair share of chances and asking questions of Cheltenham’s defence. Boro were growing into the game and beginning to take control.

Shouts for handball at either end were the main talking points of the first half. Initially, a Godden shot was blocked inside the box, Stevenage fans at the other end of the pitch calling for handball.  

There was also appeals from the home fans just before halftime. Danny Wright took a tumble in the box after a strong challenge, but the referee waved away calls for a penalty.

The two sides went in at halftime with the score at 0-0. 

The second half continued as the first left off. Boro were seeing more of the ball and continued to press high up the pitch. Newton and Godden were both causing trouble for the home side’s defence. 

A brilliant save from Joe Fryer denied the hosts a lead. The goalkeeper got down well at his near post to deny Danny Wright scoring a wonder goal.

With 15 minutes left, Cheltenham had probably the chance of the game. A corner was whipped into the far post, yet Harry Pell and Will Boyle got in each other’s way and neither could convert. The result could have gone either way at this point in the game.

Darren Sarll wasn't taking a draw in this one. Stevenage continued to press high up the pitch, and got their rewards as Alex Samuel won a free kick just 20 yards out. Joe Martin stepped up to mark and slotted the ball calmly into the top right corner. A wonderful goal from the defender who had played his best game in a Stevenage shirt so far this season. 

Boro stood strong and would not let Cheltenham back into the game. Fraser Franks and Luke Wilkinson kept the hosts outside the box, with no real opportunity to find an equaliser.

A well deserved 3 points on the road, Stevenage are now unbeaten in their first five.

 -- 

Starting XI: Fryer, Henry, Wilkinson, Franks, Martin, Whelpdale (Samuel 64), Smith, Pett, Beautyman (Toner 90+2), Newton (Gray 81), Godden.