Jamie Reid scores twice but Stevenage fall to defeat in Bolton…

Steve Evans made five changes to his starting eleven from Saturday, starting with Taye Ashby-Hammond returning between the sticks. Terence Vancooten would make his first start of the season, completing a midfield three with the return of both Louis Thompson and Jake Forster-Caskey. Aaron Pressley also regained his place up front.

This would be Stevenage’s second-ever visit to Bolton, but the first for our travelling contingent with the inaugural fixture coming in the 2020/21 behind-closed-doors season. Over 200 made the journey north to show their support.

Much to the surprise of the near 17,000 support at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, Stevenage started the better of the two sides. Pressing high and winning the ball in attacking areas, Boro were already causing an issue for the hosts’ defence.

Aaron Pressley’s aerial threat would maintain a problem for the length of time he was on the pitch tonight, feeding knock-ons and holding the ball up for the ravenous Jamie Reid and Jordan Roberts.

Despite this positive start from Steve Evans’ men, Bolton took the lead in the 13^th minute. A mistimed challenge from Dan Butler in the Boro’ box gave Dion Charles the opportunity to open the scoring from twelve yards, who duly did so.

Stevenage would not let their heads drop and drew confidence from their energetic start. Dan Sweeney’s effort from close range clattered against the post with a deflection after some great footwork from Aaron Pressley five minutes after the opener.

Seven minutes after going behind, Steve Evans’ men showed their resilience and quickly found a way back into the game. Winning the ball back relentlessly in the Stevenage half, Jake Forster-Caskey picked the ball up in a deep position before finding Jamie Reid over the top with a pin-point pass. Boro’s top scorer so far this season took the ball down expertly, beating his man with skill and pace, with a finish to match past the onrushing Bolton stopper.

Stevenage were level and deservedly so.

Bolton fans were quickly exposing their frustrations as the home team found difficulty beating the Stevenage press. Aaron Pressley’s desire to drive forward ended with a yellow card for George Thomason, who could only bring down the forward on a threatening, counter-attacking run.

The young Scotsman would continue to prove a nuisance, heading just wide from a Louis Thompson cross, before again forcing a Bolton defender into the book with textbook hold-up play.

Despite Boro’s dominance, the two teams would head in level at the interval.

Following a slight knock in the late stages of the first half, Terence Vancooten was brought off at half-time and replaced by Finley Burns.

Four minutes into the restart, Bolton regained their advantage. Despite what looked a foul on Louis Thompson in the build-up, play was allowed to continue as Taye Ashby-Hammond saved well from Randell Williams’ effort, falling behind for a corner. From the set-piece, Jack Iredale put Bolton back ahead at the far post.

A quarter of an hour later, Stevenage earned their own opportunity from twelve yards after a loose arm from substitute Cameron Jerome caught Carl Piergianni in the face after a Jake Forster-Caskey free-kick into the area.

The Skipper would require treatment on the side-lines while Jamie Reid stood up to the task, firing into the bottom right corner in front of the away supporters.

Jamie Reid’s levellers would ultimately end in vain though after Josh Sheehan put Bolton ahead yet again against the run of play, latching onto a long ball from deep and firing into the net.

Nick Freeman came on for Louis Thompson with around twenty minutes to play, just before Taye Ashby-Hammond did well to save from Dempsey at the near post.

On the eighty-minute mark, Stevenage went as close as they would to a third equaliser of the game. Sitting up nicely on the half volley, Jake Forster-Caskey struck with venom aiming for the top corner from the edge of the Bolton box, forcing Nathan Baxter into a brilliant stretching save.

With Carl Piergianni’s treatment for a bloody nose not quite lasting until full-time, the skipper was replaced by Nathan Thompson.

Within minutes of each other with only a few moments remaining, Nick Freeman shot wide with his left foot from distance, before Jamie Reid would fire wide from a tight angle.

Elliott List and Alex MacDonald were introduced for the eight minutes of additional time, with the former having two half chances to no avail.

The referee blew for full-time as Stevenage knew that on another day that away performance would result in a positive outcome.

Steve Evans’ men will look to make wrongs right as Wigan Athletic come to The Lamex Stadium on Saturday.

Attendance: 17,997 inc. 223 away.

---