Edward Payne

Goals from Amy Makewell and Kelsey Millen ensured all three points for Stevenage in a comfortable league outing on Sunday. The result meant that Boro kept pace with AFC Sudbury and Needham Market in the chase for league leaders Luton.

Despite the dominance of Stevenage, chances were at a premium. Going forward, everything came down the right hand side with captain Lucy Webster and Player of the Match Millen at the heart of it. Makewell, who was playing in her 80th match for Stevenage, had the best of the early chances, both of which missed the target. Millen also had a great one-on-one battle with Cyan Fullbrook in the Wroxham goal, which the ‘keeper won this time.

When the first goal finally came, it was from a superb cross by Hannah Nebbitt out on the left. The ball fell kindly for Makewell who got enough contact with the ball to poke it across the line and give Boro the advantage they deserved.

Stevenage switched things around at half time, introducing Susan Uwaifo and Shianne Swarres, the latter of whom was returning from a two-month layoff. Uwaifo thought she had scored the second goal of the game when she was fouled on the edge of the box, only to regain her footing and slide the ball home. The referee however, had other ideas and had already blown his whistle, leaving Becky Shephard to test Fullbrook from the resulting free kick. She did, but the goalkeeper kept it out.

Photo: Edward Payne

Just before the hour, Millen received the ball on the right and lofted a superb effort over Fullbrook’s head, but also the bar. It took fourteen minutes for Millen to perfect it. A marauding run by Emily Schofield put Boro in a strong attacking position. Her ball to Uwaifo was perfect, who in turn held the ball well before sending Millen free on the right. She entered the box and repeated her earlier trick, only this time, the net bulged.

The remaining minutes saw Makewell return to the pitch and come close to extending the lead further. Swarres saw an audacious lob in the top corner agonisingly kept out as Fullbrook pushed it against the post and cleared. The crowd even saw the ball surf the crossbar, but there was no third goal. Uwaifo did find herself booked, as did Boro manager Fadi Mazloum, for reasons best known to the referee.

It leaves Borough with two massive home league ties before Christmas. Next week, they face fellow title chasers Needham Market, before an even bigger test in Luton Town.

Stevenage: O’Brien, Webster (c), Neal, Farmer, Nebbitt, Price, Southby, Shephard, Millen, Makewell, Bellinger

Subs: Swarres, Greenwood, Bodily, Uwaifo, Schofield.

Goals: Makewell, Millen

Yellow Card: Uwaifo