Stevenage delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle in League One on Tuesday. They have scored 12 goals and conceded 10 this season for a goal difference of plus two.
Michael Mellon opened the scoring after 19 minutes, finishing off a move set up by Josh Magennis. Magennis then turned scorer himself eight minutes later, doubling the advantage before the half-hour mark. Substitute Phoenix Patterson sealed the three points seven minutes from time, converting an assist from Daniel Kemp. This result, Stevenage 3-0 Plymouth on 20 October, follows a 2-0 loss to Bradford on 17 October where Antoni Sarcevic and Will Swan scored.
Tactical control
Stevenage set up in a structured 4-4-1-1 formation which effectively stifled Plymouth's attempts to build momentum. The hosts edged the shot count 17 to 13 and forced Plymouth goalkeeper Mahoney into three saves while Setford was rarely troubled at the other end. The statistical dominance was reflected in a final expected goals tally of 1.32 to 0.97 in Stevenage's favour.
Discipline was an early theme, with Ronan Curtis and Louis Thompson both booked inside the opening seven minutes. Manager Alex Revell also received a yellow card for dissent in the 33rd minute.
The result marks a strong response to Saturday's 2-0 defeat away to leaders Bradford City, a result that leaves Stevenage eight points behind the league leaders. It extends Stevenage's recent form to four wins and one loss in their last five league outings, a sequence that includes the 1-0 win over Wigan on 10 October, the 2-1 victory against Leicester on 6 October, and the 6-1 win at Walsall on 22 September, following a 1-0 loss to Leyton Orient on 19 September. Plymouth, meanwhile, have now lost three consecutive matches and sit 20th in the division.
Stevenage now prepare to host Milton Keynes Dons at the Lamex Stadium this Saturday, 24 October, in their next fixture. MK Dons currently occupy 18th place after a 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic.
