Stevenage secured a dramatic 1-1 draw at Burton in their League One opener thanks to Olly Sanderson's stoppage-time equaliser. The summer signing, making his league debut, prodded home inside the six-yard box after Josh Magennis unsettled the Burton defence. Stevenage finished 6th in League One last season with 67 points, 19 wins, 10 draws and 13 losses from 42 games, ending the campaign on a LWWDW run.
What happened in the match?
Stevenage struggled to find their rhythm in the first game of the season, with manager Alex Revell admitting his side were "nowhere near our best". Burton took the lead through Jack Armer's strike inside the final 20 minutes, but Stevenage's persistence paid off when Sanderson, a former Fulham youngster, scored his first goal for the club in added time. Revell praised the new signing, saying, "It's great to see him coming on for his league debut for us and scoring a goal, making a difference for us."
Why it matters for Stevenage
The late equaliser was a crucial moment for Stevenage, who are looking to build on their 6th-place finish last season. Revell acknowledged the importance of starting the season well, even if it wasn't a win. "You want to start with a win but there is a long season ahead of us with lots to learn and lots to improve on," he said. The draw keeps Stevenage in touch with the early pace-setters, with Lincoln currently leading the league by 26 points.
What comes next for Stevenage?
Stevenage's next fixture is an away game against Luton on February 20, 2027. Luton are currently 7th in the table, making it a challenging test for Revell's side. The manager is focused on improving his team's performance in the early games, saying, "It is about trying to get better and improve, but so are all the other teams."
