Three straight wins for Stevenage, including one at Wrexham, to leave them only four points less than us with a game in hand, had turned this game from one we needed to win to get into the top six to one we needed to win to get into the top six and to keep a potential rival for a play-off spot at bay. Games against Stevenage are never pretty and their record of 27 for and 25 against in 27 games only deepened the expectation that this would not be one for the purists, one in which the first goal (if any) would probably be crucial (both teams not having lost this season after taking the lead). Score first, get the win, by whatever means, and move on.
After some scares in the first half, including one moment that required a superb intervention by Maynard-Brewer to prevent Stevenage taking the lead, we pretty much did just that. Good goals either side of half-time completely changed the picture and after the second we were clearly in the driving seat. With the memory of surrendering a two-goal advantage against Blackpool still fresh, we kept up the pressure – Jones waited until the 88th minute before making changes - and Stevenage, despite making four substitutions in one go, followed by a fifth, never threatened to get back into it. We really should have scored a third or more, but in the end it didn’t matter.
The key question for the team, barring late injuries, would be whether new boys McIntyre and Gilbert would feature/start. Jones opted for no changes to the starting line-up, but both incomers took places on the bench, McIntyre taking the spot vacated by Edmonds-Green and Gilbert replacing Anderson, who it was said was unavailable for personal reasons (clearly whatever they may be we wish the best for him). That did mean that Gilbert would be our only midfield replacement.
Stevenage did have the better of the early exchanges, with their formation – one up top but three in support of him – causing us problems. Defenders weren’t sure where the runners were coming from and the uncertainty encouraged mistakes. Their guy shot into the side-netting from a tight angle. We did have a Berry free-kick from just outside the box hit into the wall, followed by some chaos as the ball was played back in (and I thought a shout for a penalty as their keeper failed to make contact with the ball and landed one on Jones instead), plus Berry headed wide from a good Edwards cross and might have done better. But the key moment came on 19 minutes. Edwards intercepted a pass but only ended up setting it up for their guy to play it forward to one of two onside and in on goal. The one with the ball opted to try to round Maynard-Brewer and he stuck out a timely arm to prevent that, the ball was cleared, and the danger over.
As the half progressed it was pretty even, although we were struggling to create anything going in their final third, despite the threat of Small and Campbell in wide areas. There were promising moments, with a Small cross only just deflected over a waiting Berry, plus a decent run forward and shot from Docherty. But we had to wait until just before the break for the deadlock to be broken, with a really well worked and executed goal. Campbell played the ball in low from the left side, Berry touched it on to Coventry, running across the box. He managed to play the ball back across goal and once more there was Godden in the right place at the right time to prod it home.
That changed the mood in the dressing-room no doubt. The stats at the break showed 53/47 for us for possession and six efforts on goal, two on target, against two and zero for them (which was a little harsh on Maynard-Brewer). Stevenage might have felt slightly aggrieved to be behind at that point, but can have no complaints about what followed.
Just a couple of minutes into the second half and we had some breathing space. A long ball forward was flicked on by Godden for Campbell on the edge of the box. He managed to get in a good, rising shot but it cannoned back off the junction of post and bar, only to drop for Berry to plant it back into the net on the half-volley. Excellent technique from him as it was one that was easy to blaze over.
The game is so much easier to play when you are 2-0 up and you have to say Stevenage’s response was rather lame, they looked beaten from that point on. It turned into a succession of near misses/lost opportunities for us: Godden controlled a long ball forward and almost set up Berry, Docherty set up Small in space but instead of trusting to shoot with his right foot he cut inside and the effort was blocked, then another break saw his shot from a good position saved.
As the clock ticked down the balance shifted clearly in favour of just making sure we did nothing silly. Leaburn, Kanu and Gilbert were brought on for Godden, Campbell and Berry, with Leaburn taking on the task of wasting time around the corner flag. We saw out the final stages and four minutes of stoppage time quite comfortably.
It ended up as a very good all-round performance. Nobody had a bad game and a man of the match award could have gone to one of several. Jones was commanding in defence, Coventry excellent in midfield, and Godden scored another, while Maynard-Brewer made a decisive contribution whatever the stats may say (55/45 possession, 15 shots and five on target, against three and none for them). Sixth spot was ours, with Leyton Orient engaged in the cup, and we now move on to Peterborough at The Valley on Tuesday night in I’d imagine very good spirits.
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