Charlie Carter bags again to seal Boro win
A tightly contested match in North London saw Stevenage pick up their second win from two in the new campaign, with a total of 25 players putting on the navy away shirt for Boro tonight.
Dino Maamria named a more familiar team this time out for the first 45 minutes, with First Teamers Farman, Cuthbert, Vancooten, James-Wildin, Byrom and Newton coming into the starting XI, while Reid, Stokes, Carter and two trialists made up the rest of the team.
The first chance of the game came to a lively Charlie Carter, whose driven shot was parried wide by the Wingate & Finchley goalkeeper. The save resulted in a corner, and Joel Byrom’s curled cross was met by the leap of Scott Cuthbert, but the Skipper couldn’t direct his effort goal bound.
Stevenage did not have to wait long before gaining the lead at the Maurice Rebak Stadium. It was Charlie Carter again causing the majority of problems to Wingate’s back four, and after a through ball raced through past the goalkeeper, before finishing calmly from a tight angle.
📹 2 in 2 for Carts.
— Stevenage FC 🔴⚪ (@StevenageFC) July 9, 2019
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As expected with an influx of first teamers, Stevenage remained dominant throughout the first half.
Alex Reid then looked to have made it two just before half-time with a wonder goal, but his lobbed effort from 40 yards fell agonisingly onto the crossbar and then eventually cleared.
Stevenage looked good for their lead at half-time, however 10 changes at the break would mean a whole new contest in the second half. Fernandez, Digby, Ball, Robinson, Iontton, Smith and four more trialists came in while Farman remained between the sticks.
Soon after the break, Academy player Jack Smith slid in a trialist with a neat through ball to set him up on goal at the near post, however the Wingate & Finchley goalkeeper stood firm to deny Stevenage doubling their lead.
The game then became bit-part as a total of 14 substitutes were made from the Stevenage dugout. Joe White and Andronicos Georgiou made their first appearance in Boro top this pre-season after enjoying loan spells last campaign. The former showcases his signature mazy run numerous times from the right-hand side, but unfortunately nothing would come from.
The Wingate & Finchley goalkeeper Shane Gore was putting in a man of the match performance, and was determined to keep the score down to the sole goal. Efforts from several trialists were well stopped by the man in between the sticks, as the half ended goalless.
A strong first half team got the goal for Stevenage, while a youthful and inexperienced second half team stood immovable throughout.
With the second of our pre-season games completed, Dino Maamria’s men now look ahead to tomorrow as they face Hitchin Town at Top Field.
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