Stevenage 1
Port Vale 1
FA Cup (2nd Round)

Match report written by Aaron Tebbutt, Stevenage FC official website

Stevenage go into the hat for the third round of the FA Cup after being held to a draw at The Lamex...

A place in the third-round of the FA Cup was up for grabs as Stevenage welcomed Port Vale to The Lamex Stadium for the second time this season. It was the 4-3 win over Tranmere in the first round, courtesy of a 100th minute Jamie Reid winner, that set up the tie.

Two changes were made from the midweek clash with Peterborough United as Alex MacDonald and Elliott List returned to the starting eleven, in place of Nathan Thompson and Kane Hemmings.

It was a flat back four of Luther James-Wildin, Terence Vancooten, Carl Piergianni and Dan Butler to begin with, in front of Taye Ashby-Hammond between the sticks.

Finley Burns sat just in front of the defence, with Alex MacDonald and Ben Thompson in support. Jordan Roberts had the licence to float behind the strike partnership of Jamie Reid and Elliott List.

Boro came close to an early opener after five minutes as Jamie Reid won back possession high up the pitch. The number nineteen played in Jordan Roberts whose weak-footed effort inside the area was deflected out for a corner.

The opening twenty-five minutes saw little action in either 18-yard box, as the sides looked to play their football and find an opening. There was a brief stoppage in play before the half-hour mark as the visitors were forced into an early attacking change.

Temperatures were reaching below freezing as a thick fog rolled over The Lamex, with the score line still goalless after thirty.

Boro pushed forward as they looked to break the deadlock shortly before half time as Jamie Reid found Elliott List running down the right-hand side. List looked up before playing a low ball into the box, but Connor Ripley was able to collect.

By the start of the second half, the fog had grown even thicker, but Stevenage had an important task on their hands if they wished to reach round three.

Boro looked lively in the opening stages of the half, with Alex MacDonald running through on goal before seeing his effort deflect out for a corner.

On the hour mark, the gaffer made a triple change as Aaron Pressley, Harvey White and Harrison Neal were introduced in place of Elliott List, Alex MacDonald and Finley Burns.

With over twenty of the ninety to go, Stevenage deservedly broke the deadlock. It was substitute Harvey White’s delightful through ball that found Jamie Reid one on one with the goalkeeper, and there was only going to be one winner as the striker scored his sixteenth goal of the season in all competitions.

Just five minutes later though, Port Vale were awarded a penalty as the referee Uche Ikpeazu was brought down in the box. It was Funso Ojo to step up and convert to grab the equaliser.

Under ten remained as a fourth Boro change was made, with Nick Freeman replacing Ben Thompson in midfield.

The game very much grew in intensity over the final ten minutes as Stevenage searched for a late winner to prevent a replay in Burslem. Luther James-Wildin took aim from twenty-five yards, but Connor Ripley held on.

The visitors had the ball in the back of the net late on, but the linesman’s flag was raised to deny it. The fourth official then indicated six minutes of added time.

Despite Boro’s best efforts, the side were held to a draw, meaning a replay will take place at Port Vale.

Attention now returns to League One action with a trip to Burton Albion coming up next Saturday.