This was a thoroughly entertaining game and a great advertisement for League Two. Both sides tried to play football and never stopped playing to win. We were unlucky to concede the first after an unpunished foul, but gifted the second by not closing their forward down. We had to respond by half-time and Nors did the job after breaking clear. We started the second half on the front foot and deservedly equalised when a Smith free kick was nodded on an Nors was quickest to stab it in. We had chances to win it after that, but so did Stevenage. I think the problem was that the home team wisely subbed three of their tiring players, while Micky made no changes until Tollitt came on for Smith. Ben tormented the full back when he got the ball and got him sent off for a second booking. However, it ended 2-2, deservedly I think.
As far as the individual performances we concerned, Nors gets my MoM for carrying on from his starring role at Wembley. Davies played assuredly and was not at fault for the goals. The full backs looked quick and rarely missed a tackle. The centre was where their goals came from, so McNulty and Sutton were not at their best, but were generally OK. Steve seems to have lost quite a bit of weight. Banks was assured in midfield and Harris was his terrier self. Jennings put in a shift, but I don't like him on the wing. Smith took a while to settle but his free kick led to the equaliser. Finally, Stockton huffed and puffed, but had a difficult game against their solid centre half. I think the jury should stay out for a few games and let him find his feet.
So, in summary, I think neither side will struggle this year. MM will need to look at their goals and also our set pieces, which looked undercooked. But the SWA is back and things can only get better.