Ed Payne

Stevenage FCW found themselves on the opposite end of their previous result as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at Royston Town FCW. Goals from Amy Gooderham and Becky Shephard were not enough for The ‘Boro and the watching crowd of 106 were treated to a hotly contested match.

Stevenage started well and Gooderham saw an early effort saved by Amy Martin. It would take another 15 minutes for her to get another decent opportunity and this one was not squandered. A free kick was awarded to ‘Boro which was swung in towards the far post towards Vicky Neal who headed the ball downwards. Gooderham was there to meet the ball as it rose again and headed in from close range.

Both teams exchanged chances before Town equalised with seven minutes of the half remaining. Dionne Manning was adjudged to have committed a foul near the right hand corner of the area, Annie Georgiou sent a left footed inswinger that Celine Ray got a hand to, only to see the ball drop over the line.

Neal had a good opportunity which was turned behind for a corner and it looked as though both sides would go into the break with the score level. However, ‘Boro gave away a free kick for offside which was pumped direct to the Town front line. Natalie Richardson came up with the ball and from the edge of the box, unleashed a powerful, rising shot that Ray could not keep out and the ball nestled into the back of the net

Gooderham had the best moment of the early second half as she broke down the left side and rolled a ball across Martin that went agonisingly wide and narrowly avoided the outstretched foot of Shephard. A penalty shout was turned down for Stevenage and both sides dug in trying to force the game.

It was with seven minutes of the half remaining that Shephard levelled the game. After a neat interchange with Shianne Swarres, she let loose a right footed shot from near the away dugout that sailed over Martin.

The joy was shortlived, as four minutes later Ray punched clear a free kick that sat up nicely for Richardson outside the area to thunder her volley clean and true and break Stevenage hearts.

Line-Ups

Stevenage: Ray, Webster (C), Farmer, Neal, Brooks, Swarres, Southby, Hussain, Gooderham, Shephard, Millen

Subs: White, Greenwood, Manning, Schofield

Goals: Gooderham, Shephard

Booked: Manning, Sturgess

Attendance - 106