The SSAFC picked up their first win of this 2013/14 campaign with a very convincing 4-1 victory away from home when we travelled down to the Hive to face Barnet supporters.
The SSAFC welcomed new debutants Fitzgerald & Crump to the fold. The SSAFC started well and played some good football from the back without troubling the back line of Barnet. Playing a 4-5-1 formation, the team got good possession and kept the ball moving without creating much in a way of attempts.
The SSAFC then took the lead when a mistake at the Barnet defence saw De-Vall chase the ball down & picked up a poor backpass before slotting home to make it 1-0 to the SSAFC. Fitzgerald then made it 2-0 when some lovely build play by Papp & Collins found Fitzgerald who smashed the ball home.
Barnet had no answer to a strong Stevenage back line but had a golden chance when their striker went through but found Warren in goal who closed him down and made a good save. They then had a good chance when the striker found himself in behind & his toe poke went past Warren but Ridley somehow managed to clear off the line despite the claims that it crossed the line, the sooner Sepp Blatter sorts out goal line technology the better!
Stevenage then got a 3rd when a good through ball found Fitzgerald who slotted home to make it 3-0 right before half time with the SSAFC taking a comfortable lead into the break.
The SSAFC made some changes at H/T with McKechnie, Tutton, Court & Stapleton coming on & started the same way they ended with the team being dominate in the midfield. McKechnie then had two golden chances which were missed & Court found himself in room but didnt take his chance in front of goal. Barnet started to get into the game a bit more but Warren made a good save to dive with his feet to clear the ball away from danger. Collins then had a goal ruled out for offside although it looked like he was onside whilst other players were in offside positions.
Barnet then got a way back into the game when the back line failed an offside trap & the Barnet striker slotted in to make it 3-1. Barnet now started to take the game to Stevenage and could have been 2 if not for a wonderful fingertip save onto the bar from Warren. Barnet then had some half chances but failed to test Warren.
The SSAFC then made the game safe when Collins done well just on the edge of the 6 yard box controlling the ball & laid it back to the onrushing Charlie Stapleton who took one touch before powerfully hitting his shot into the left bottom corner via post to end the contest & grab his first goal for the SSAFC.
The full time whistle went and the SSAFC celebrated their first win since Feb & roll on to Leyton Orient at home on Sat 17th August.
