Carl Piergianni’s first-half strike gives Stevenage all three points at The Lamex Stadium…
Stevenage arrived at The Lamex Stadium hungry for an important three points in League One against a Wycombe Wanderers side who had recently earned a spot in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy final at Wembley.
The Gaffer made just two changes from last weekend’s unfortunate defeat to Derby County, as Luther James-Wildin and Jamie Reid missed out after picking up knocks, and were replaced by Alex MacDonald and Dan Sweeney in the starting eleven.
Taye Ashby-Hammond started between the sticks for the second week running, with his back three consisting of Dan Sweeney, Terence Vancooten and Carl Piergianni. Nick Freeman and Dan Butler occupied the right and left wing-back roles, either side of a midfield trio of Louis Thompson, Jake Forster-Caskey and Alex MacDonald. Kane Hemmings and Jordan Roberts led the line.
Boro were under some slight pressure from the Chairboys in the first ten minutes, as the visitors had an effort bounce off the crossbar, but Stevenage reacted well from that chance as they looked to get the ball forward.
Twenty minutes in, Stevenage created their first real chance of the game as Alex MacDonald’s high-intensity pressing caught Max Stryjek off guard, as Boro looked to react. Eventually, the ball was played to Louis Thompson on the edge of the area, whose powerful effort deflected out for a corner.
This chance made the momentum swing entirely in favour of Stevenage as they broke the deadlock inside 22 minutes through captain Carl Piergianni. It was Dan Butler’s long ball into the box that caused problems for the Wycombe defence as Piergianni knocked it down to Dan Sweeney inside the area.
Under pressure, Sweeney laid it back off to the skipper who fired into the bottom corner with his favoured left foot to give the hosts the lead.
Five minutes before the break, Jake Forster-Caskey had the chance to double Boro’s lead, but his first-time effort was well kept out by Max Stryjek.
In the five minutes of first-half additional minutes, Stevenage looked reasonably comfortable with their one-goal advantage and were keen to keep the ball in the opponent’s half and try and find a second.
Kane Hemmings’ header flew over the bar minutes before the referee blew for half-time, to send Boro into the break a goal up.
Neither side made a change at the break as the second half soon got underway, with Stevenage now attacking towards the North Stand.
Just two minutes into the second half, Wycombe were reduced to ten men, as goalkeeper, Max Stryjek rushed off his line to take out Jordan Roberts outside the area and was subsequently sent to the changing rooms. Wycombe’s Gideon Kodua was sacrificed as the Chairboys introduced their substitute goalkeeper.
Jake Forster-Caskey stood over the resulting free-kick from a dangerous position but fired over the bar.
Just before the hour mark, Carl Piergianni came close to doubling his tally for the afternoon as his header on goal was almost spilled into the back of the net by substitute goalkeeper, Franco Ravizzoli, but he just managed to tip it round the post.
The next twenty minutes were reasonably cosy for Stevenage as Wycombe saw very little attacking play, Terence Vancooten had a chance to make it two, but fired just over the bar.
With five minutes of the ninety to play, the gaffer made his first change as Alex MacDonald made way for Ben Thompson to get some fresh legs in the middle of the park.
A second change was made shortly after, as Vadaine Oliver was introduced to see out the game, in place of Kane Hemmings up top. Seven minutes of additional time were then displayed by the Fourth Official.
Wycombe were applying the pressure late on as Stevenage were forced to defend their one-goal advantage. Everyone in a Boro shirt worked tirelessly to keep their clean sheet and their lead.
The hosts then made their third change with Finley Burns replacing Nick Freeman in midfield.
Eventually, Boro’s hard work paid off as the referee blew his final whistle to award the hosts all three points on a chilly afternoon at The Lamex.
Stevenage will be looking for the same again on Tuesday as Cambridge United come to town for what is sure to be a lively affair.
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