Stevenage Borough eased through to the second round of the Herts Senior cup with a comfortable win in atrocious conditions in Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday evening. On a sloping exposed pitch Borough overcame both the elements and the dogged South Midland’s league side to earn victory.

 

The Stevenage side featured nine first team players, although only Mitchell Cole was in the starting 11 on Saturday, and also saw first team coach Dino Maamria enjoying his customary Herts Senior Cup run out, however this time around his goalscoring opportunities were limited from his centre back slot. The final player was youth team left-back Ali Birri, who had an accomplished evening in the difficult conditions.

 

Joel Byrom put Stevenage in front just before the half hour with a well struck freekick from the edge of the area that skimmed low past Carl Tasker’s despairing dive. The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Lee Johnson headed a cross past his own keeper, but the home side soon reduced the deficit when Louis West struck home a penalty after Eddie Odhiambo was adjudged to have pulled down a home forward.

 

Back came Borough and two stunning goals sealed the tie. First Stacy Long cut inside the right back and glided a shot into the to left-hand corner of the net and Mitchell Cole sealed victory with a blistering drive from the edge of the area after a rampaging run from Darren Murphy.

 

But although the final scoreline was comfortable and a fair reflection on Borough’s dominance, the opening exchanges clearly belonged to the home side. Twice goalkeeper Ashley Bayes was called on to make top notch saves to prevent the holders from falling behind. First he got down well to save a close range drive from Leverstock captain Daniel Grigg and then minutes later acrobatically turned a header from Lewis Pritchard over the bar.

 

It was a thoroughly professional performance from a strong Stevenage side and although the home side had moments during the game the feeling was always there that Borough could step up a gear if necessary.

 

STEVENAGE BOROUGH (4-4-2) A Bayes – E Odhaimbo, M Albrighton, D Maamria, A Birri – S Long, D Murphy, J Byrom, M Cole – P Vincenti, L Boylan. Substitutes: J Cornhill, R Rayner, D Greene, D Broome, A Powell