A very enjoyable game. I think a draw was a fair result as both teams had periods in the ascendancy, but I think we actually played the nicer football when we were on top. We started both halves strongly before the hosts responded, but our only real wobble came after the first goal, when we lost our heads for about ten minutes. When Stevenage went down to ten men Norwood had three chances to win the game for us, none of them easy, a couple of which resulted from great moves. That said, the hosts continued to threaten at the other end. The attacking trio of Norwood, Jennings and Smith looked very comfortable at a higher level.
I agree with BBTC that our opponents were a cut above the teams we played at NL level. It was the subtle differences that you noticed: our front players had to really work to find openings, midfielders had the ball nicked off their toe if they dwelt too long and any sloppiness at the back was punished ruthlessly, notably for the two goals we conceded. We had been the better side in the first twenty minutes, yet found ourselves two down to two opposition chances, something that simply would not happen in non-league. In general, I thought Stevenage were well organised and savvy, but I actually enjoyed seeing us play a team that tested us all over the pitch, rather than the NL cannon fodder.
Individually, I thought Norwood, Smith, Jennings, Zoum and McNulty were our best players. Harris worked hard defensively but gave the ball away too much for my liking, something that will be punished at this level. There was a hesitancy at the back on occasions, but I actually thought it was Sutton who was more guilty than McNulty. There was a foul in the build up to Stevenage's first goal, but for both the goals we conceded I thought both the midfield and central defence were too slow to sense danger, and we had chances to close down and block the shots which were spurned. We will need to sharpen up in that regard in the weeks ahead.
Stockton was poor. He had a tough job up against two very physical centre halves, but he did not impose himself enough physically and should probably have been cuter in pulling on to the full back or taking up other positions to receive the ball. It was also noticeable that, in addition to the two goals, Norwood was nearly on the end of crosses into the box on numerous occasions, yet I can't remember Cole offering anything in the eighteen yard box all game. Hopefully Micky will lift his confidence in the weeks ahead.
Man of the match, James Norwood, closely followed by the excellent Johnny Smith.