Match Preview: Stevenage vs Walsall

10 March 2023

Stevenage return to The Lamex Stadium in the hopes of a crucial three points as they take on Michael Flynn’s Walsall in Sky Bet League Two…

BUY Stevenage vs Walsall TICKETS HERE

Steve Evans’ men have thirteen games remaining in the race for promotion to Sky Bet League One, seven of which are at The Lamex Stadium.

Despite an entertaining 3-2 victory against AFC Wimbledon four days prior, Stevenage followed it up with a 2-0 defeat away to Rochdale last Saturday. Boro will be looking to bounce back immediately in order to stay clear of the fellow promotion chasers below them.

Since the club’s relegation from League One in 2019, Walsall have failed to threaten the promotion places in Sky Bet League Two. This season has been no different for The Saddlers who sit fourteenth in the table after picking up ten wins, fourteen draws and nine losses from thirty-three matches.

Walsall currently have the joint-second best defence in the league this campaign, having conceded just twenty-nine goals in thirty-three matches. Their impressive defensive record was on display on Tuesday as they drew 0-0 with promotion hopefuls Bradford City.

Michael Flynn took over as The Saddlers boss in February 2022 and is currently enjoying his first full season at the club. Flynn was handed the League Two Manager of the Month Award for October 2022 after guiding his side to fourteen points from seven matches. He previously had a four-and-a-half-year spell as Newport County manager.

Boro and The Saddlers have met on twelve occasions in the past, with the sides picking up three wins each and drawing the remaining six. The 2011/12 League One campaign saw the first two meetings between the clubs, with Michael Bostwick scoring in a 1-1 draw in Boro’s away fixture.

Tomorrow, The Saddlers will be looking for their first victory at The Lamex Stadium, with their three victories against Boro all being at The Bescot Stadium. Last season, Paul Tisdale’s Stevenage picked up a 3-1 victory over Walsall in Hertfordshire, through an early own goal, followed by goals from Chris Lines and Jake Taylor.

This campaign’s reverse fixture looked destined to be a victory for Walsall, before substitute Danny Rose popped up in the 100^th minute to nod home and grab an extremely late equaliser for Boro.

Carl Brook has been appointed Match Referee for tomorrow’s fixture with Hristo Karaivanov and Dean Treleaven as Assistants, and Declan Ford as Fourth Official. Brook’s most recent Stevenage fixture was the 2-1 Carabao Cup upset away to Reading back in August.

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Match tickets for Stevenage vs Walsall start at £18 Adults, £15 Concessions, £10 Under 18s and £5 Under 12s.

Match Reports

Report: Stevenage 3-1 Walsall

11 March 2023

Goals from strike partnership Luke Norris and Josh March give Stevenage all three points in Sky Bet League Two...

Stevenage returned to The Lamex Stadium looking to bounce back after a disappointing defeat to Rochdale the week prior. Steve Evans made five changes from that match, with emergency-loan goalkeeper Jon McCracken making his debut, alongside Jake Reeves, Jake Taylor, Kane Smith and Josh March returning to the starting eleven.

Josh March proved why he was deserving of a start just seven minutes in as he grabbed the opening goal for the hosts. Max Clark’s long ball down the left channel found the electric March beating his man for pace as he cut in on his right and fired high into the centre of the net to grab his first goal for the club.

Stevenage looked hungry for more and after just fourteen minutes, they doubled their lead. The ball was comfortably in Boro’s possession on the edge of the area before Alex Gilbey’s killer through ball found Kane Smith on the right-wing who drilled it into Luke Norris to tap home and grab his side’s second of the afternoon.

Boro were really playing with confidence before the half hour mark with some entertaining passages of play. Luke Norris tried his luck from distance, but his low drilled effort flew just wide of the mark.

A couple of minutes later though, Walsall got a goal back. Centre half Manny Monthe was lurking in Boro’s box as he tapped the ball past Jon McCracken to halve the deficit.

Despite the goal, Boro remained largely on top. Luke Norris attempted an impressive bicycle kick inside the area, but his effort sailed wide.

Just five minutes later, it was Josh March’s turn to attempt an overhead kick, but this time it paid off. Max Clark’s free kick was flicked up in the air by Luke Norris, allowing Josh March to adjust his body shape and acrobatically fire into the back of the net and get his second goal of the game.

March was on fire and came extremely close to getting a first-half hattrick. Max Clark’s cross found the striker’s head in the box, but his effort was collected by Owen Evans moments before the referee blew for half-time.

The opening fifteen minutes of the second half lacked the pace of the first forty-five minutes. On the hour mark, Carl Piergianni was booked, and Walsall were awarded a free kick. Conor Wilkinson took aim, but Jordan Roberts was there to head the danger clear.

Boro nearly netted their fourth of the afternoon, with twenty minutes remaining. Jordan Roberts turned inside the box before firing on goal, but his effort was blocked on the line.

Walsall’s Conor Wilkinson received the ball on the edge of the box but fired high and wide. The Saddlers had a golden chance just minutes later, but Douglas James-Taylor fired over from close range.

Evans made his first substitution with just five minutes remaining as Jake Taylor was replaced by Daryl Horgan in the right-midfield position. This was followed by Jamie Reid replacing Josh March who deservedly received an excellent ovation.

Stevenage did their job well in seeing out the victory and gaining a crucial three points in the fight for promotion. Danny Rose replaced Luke Norris in the dying moments before the referee concluded a successful afternoon for Stevenage. Boro return to The Lamex on Tuesday as they welcome Crewe Alexandra.

Attendance: 3441 including 364 away supporters

Ticket News

Back-to-back Boro at The Lamex Stadium

7 March 2023

Show your support in two huge games at The Lamex Stadium as Boro continue push for promotion...

Stevenage Football Club welcome both Walsall and Crewe Alexandra to The Lamex Stadium in the space of four days in Sky Bet League Two.

Steve Evans' men take on Michael Flynn's Saddlers on Saturday 11 March at 3pm, before The Alex visit SG2 for football under the lights on Tuesday 14 March at 7.45pm.

Match tickets for all of Stevenage's remaining home games are now on sale, available at www.borotickets.co.uk.

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