Stevenage cruise past Barnsley with five-goal victory
Stevenage opened up a comfortable lead as they ran riot at Barnsley on Saturday, winning 5-1 in League One. The visitors took the game by the scruff of the neck from the first whistle, and Barnsley's fans must have been wondering what they had been expecting. And here's the thing — this wasn't a game that got away, it was one that Barnsley never really got into. The result leaves Stevenage one point behind their hosts in the table, which is perhaps the most interesting part of an otherwise one-sided afternoon.
The penalty came at the right time for Stevenage, and Cameron McGeehan made no mistake from the spot in the 17th minute. Carl Piergianni had been booked just before, and you could sense Barnsley's confidence slipping. Oliver Sanderson doubled the lead before the break, and that was enough to settle things for Stevenage. By then the visitors had already worked out they were going to win, and they went on to play the second half a man up in spirit, if not in numbers.
Daniel Kemp struck twice, adding goals in the 52nd and 66th minutes, while Terence Vancooten and Michael Mellon rounded off the scoring. Barnsley's goalkeeper was saved from embarrassment by the fact Stevenage didn't test him much — he made zero saves all game. The hosts went to ground with only a consolation goal, and even that came late when the game had long been decided. To be fair, Barnsley had their chances but failed to convert any of the two big ones they created.
Statistically, Barnsley dominated possession at 56 per cent to Stevenage's 44, but the numbers tell only half the story. The visitors shot with greater accuracy, hitting the target on half their attempts compared to Barnsley's 24 per cent. Stevenage created four big chances against two for the hosts, and they took theirs with ruthless efficiency. It wasn't a game of open play so much as a masterclass in taking what you're given.
Both teams sit in the bottom half of the table, and this result shifts the balance slightly in Stevenage's favour. Barnsley had been building momentum with two wins in their last four games, but this defeat will give them plenty to think about. Stevenage, meanwhile, showed they can compete with anyone on their day — and Saturday was certainly one of those days for them.
