Wanderers’ run in the FA Youth Cup came to an end as Stevenage booked their place in round five of the competition, writes Pete Oliver.
The young Whites were hoping to get that far for the first time in six years but ultimately found the handicap of playing with 10 men for 70 minutes too great to overcome following the dismissal of defender Louis Evans.
An equaliser from talisman Toby Ritchie early in the second half raised hopes of a successful fightback as he then missed a chance to give Julian Darby’s side the lead.
But two goals in five minutes from the visitors then killed off Wanderers’ hopes as they missed out on a place in the last-16.
It was a frustrating night as Wanderers looked to have every chance of extending their own impressive run with a full complement and they were on top when Evans pulled back Kenny Brown as he raced towards goal to earn a red card.
The dangerous Brown then fired Stevenage ahead with a smart turn and finish to leave Wanderers trailing at the break.
It looked a tough ask at that stage but in an excellent start to the second half Darby’s men deservedly got themselves level.
Sonny Coyne teed up Ritchie to fire home and repeat his goal from the third-round win over Leicester City and the forward, who again impressed, was then set up by Jack Mawditt for a strike well saved by Boro keeper Max Woodford.
Wanderers immediately felt they might have had a penalty when Lucas Kirkpatrick went down in the box as he tried to react to the rebound but on a night the big decisions went against them they were then undone by a quick-fire double.
A slick Stevenage side carried a real attacking threat – Frank Norris sending one towering header just wide – but Wanderers will be disappointed with the two goals that ultimately knocked them out.
Riley England fired home from long range with 20 minutes to go and then more defensive uncertainty saw a clearance from goalkeeper Luke Lomax canon off Norris into the path of Fatih Mutsafa who fired into an empty net to earn Stevenage their piece of history and leave Darby ruing what might have been.
“I’m disappointed for the boys because they put a lot into it but the game changed with the sending off. I think with 11 we would have won it," said the youth team boss.
“Even with 10 men we got the goal with Toby, who was a constant threat again, and then after another chance it just looked like a definite penalty but the referee didn't give it.
“We then gave two poor-ish goals away and they have to learn from these things. Hopefully they’re smarting and they’ll take it out on Port Vale on Saturday. We’ve had a good run but it’s done now and let's go and see what happens in the league and have a right good go at that.”
Wanderers: Lomax; Taylor (Thomas HT), O’Neill, Evans, Asedina (Quirk 79); Kirkpatrick (Best 87), Sixsmith, Mawditt (Hopkinsion 87); Ritchie; Lewis, Nuttall (Coyne HT). Substitutes: Hughes, Lamb.
Booked: Ritchie, O’Neill, Mawditt, Kirkpatrick
Sent off: Evans
Stevenage: Woodford; Okwara, Thornett, Impey, Saji; Mustafa, Doherty, England; Brown, Norris; Ayolie. Taylor, O’Neill, Evans, Asedina; Kirkpatrick, Mawditt; Ritchie; Lewis, Nuttall. Substitutes: Barnes, Wright, Sasdiku, Benton, Sulieman, Robinson, Brown.
Booked: None
Referee: Scott Simpson
Images: Ben Livingstone