Honours even on a rainy afternoon at The Lamex...

It was a wet October afternoon as the heavens opened ahead of kick-off, but nonetheless there was a big League One contest to be played in front of another lively crowd at The Lamex Stadium as Port Vale came to town.

Before the game, a period of silence was well observed as we remember the innocent victims of the ongoing and devastating events in Israel and Palestine.

Seven minutes in, Stevenage came close to taking an early lead as Jordan Roberts found plenty of space down the left wing. He looked up to see his strike partner, Jamie Reid, sprinting towards the back post as he delivered a teasing ball into the box, but Reid was unable to get the vital touch on it.

Port Vale were searching for their first goal in three league games, and they almost got it shortly after Reid’s chance. It was Funso Ojo to try his luck from the edge of the area, forcing Taye Ashby-Hammond into a smart save.

Boro played some entertaining football at times, and almost produced a wonderful team goal after fifteen minutes. Kane Smith touched the ball down beautifully before sending Terence Vancooten through on the right wing. The defender, playing in midfield, squared it to Nick Freeman who laid it off for Jordan Roberts inside the area, but the forward fired wide of the mark.

Ten minutes later, Stevenage were heavily pushing for an opening goal with Dan Butler’s cross causing problems for the Valiants’ defence, as their centre-back’s header almost ended up in his own net. From the resulting corner, the ball was played to Jake Forster-Caskey who forced Connor Ripley to stretch to his right and deny. Nick Freeman was unable to convert the rebound.

Shortly before the break, there were huge appeals for a penalty to Stevenage. Nick Freeman was fouled on the right-wing but decided to play advantage as he fired a cross into the box with the ball bouncing off a Port Vale hand, but the referee dismissed the claims.

Boro were rather unfortunate not to have scored in the first half, but the referee blew his whistle to send the sides in goalless.

Both sides went for it in the second half as it soon became a lively affair with Boro defending well to prevent the opposition from taking the lead. Then, down the other end it was relentless pressing from Stevenage as they looked to break the deadlock.

The hosts broke away on the counterattack with Luther James-Wildin whipping a cross into Jamie Reid who fired over. Then, Stevenage pressed high up the pitch to win possession of the ball from a goal kick as Jamie Reid found himself one on one with the keeper, but Connor Ripley denied the number nineteen.

The gaffer made his first substitution with roughly twenty minutes to go as Elliott List replaced Jordan Roberts in attack.

Moments later, Boro came extremely close to finally taking the lead. Luther James-Wildin rose highest in the area before his headed effort crashed off the woodwork, but the lineman’s flag was raised anyway.

Under ten minutes of the ninety remained as Stevenage won a corner in front of the North Stand. Jake Forster-Caskey delivered the pinpoint ball, but Carl Piergianni headed just over.

A second and third substitution was made shortly after. Jamie Reid and Terence Vancooten making way for Aaron Pressley and Louis Thompson respectively.

The Fourth Official displayed four additional minutes on his board as Boro remained on the front foot. The hosts had one final chance to grab a late winner as Louis Thompson played a smart through ball to Elliott List, but the striker’s effort was denied.

Despite Stevenage’s hard work throughout, the referee blew his final whistle to conclude a goalless draw. Boro pushed and pushed but were unable to find the back of the net. Attention now turns to Tuesday’s trip to Bristol Rovers.

Attendance: 4047 inc. 542 away supporters.