Stevenage 2 : 2 Hartlepool United

Stevenage maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a good fight back against a spirited Hartlepool United. In truth a draw was probably a fair result on the day, and I imagine both managers will be looking for improvements from their side’s next time out.

It was a game of two nervy defences, hitting a lot of long hopeful balls in the general direction of no-one in particular. Both sides looked better when the midfield and strikers got the ball down and played it, but everything from defenders and keepers was hoisted long so it was very difficult for either side to establish any meaningful possession.

A great chance to open the scoring was missed by Nish who contrived to knock the ball over from 3 yards when unmarked following an excellent out-swinging cross. Stevenage responded with a good spell of possession forcing a series of corners whilst failing to stretch the Hartlepool keeper.

The first goal came just after the half hour from an Evan Horwood corner. He took an in-swinger which was met unchallenged at the back post by a towering leap from Peter Hartley who nodded the ball home from 5 yards out.

Stevenage were reeling from this concession and looking increasingly nervous at the back, they conceded a free kick and allowed 2 shots at goal in the next 2 minutes. Then the usually reliable Jon Ashton tried to shepherd a ball behind that never looked like it had the legs. What happened to “when in doubt put it out?" That’s Jon’s usual motto. The inevitable happened when his pocket was picked by Nish who headed for the box, and the even more inevitable happened when Ashton was adjudged to have fouled his man in an effort to atone for his error. In truth Nish was horizontal and half way down before any contact was made with Ashton but from the refs angle I can see why he gave it, it was well bought by the striker. Boyd stepped up confidently and sent Day the wrong way stroking the ball gently into the opposite half of the goal.

Stevenage trudged off at half time with a mountain to climb, but I never sensed despondency on the terraces. We had a lot of belief that Stevenage could salvage a point maybe even a victory.

It looked like our faith was ill-judged as Hartlepool started the second half stronger forcing a direct free-kick which was blocked by the wall with the follow-up shot saved by Day. Graham Westley made an early substitution taking Long off for Myrie-Williams. Long looks uncomfortable on the left drifting inside and leaving Laird exposed and with no out ball, I’d like to see Williams or Shroot starting there. Shroot replaced Mousinho, who is still making his way back to full fitness, on the hour mark and the final sub was made shortly afterwards with Beardsley replacing Charles up front.

With the subs made we did look more dangerous, although we were still too direct for my liking, failing to make as much use of JMW and Wilson who are two excellent wingers. Scott Flinders was booked unfairly on 68 minutes for time-wasting. This seemed to be a warning to the whole side rather than for that specific incident. It may have affected the away side though as they switched off momentarily shortly after failing to deal with a long ball into the box. The scuffed clearance was pounced upon by the lively Shroot who fed Harrison with his back to goal. Harrison pivoted and fired low into the goal from 5 yards, an excellent striker’s finish.

This brought the home fans alive and with renewed belief coursing through the fans and the team Stevenage pushed on for an equaliser. Ashton forced a save from Flinders following a Shroot corner. Chris Beardsley was a constant nuisance chasing down everything and harrying defenders. Another series of corners followed and from the third, delivered by Shroot, Scott Laird headed home unmarked from the far post.
Neither side came close to a winner and both will be left ruing defensive mistakes which were the difference between 1 point and 3.

Attendance: 2813

Man of the Match: Ritchie Humphries