Two goals from teenage Stevenage striker Dipo Akinyemi saw a young Stevenage side to a 2-0 triumph at St Neots Town this evening (Tuesday).
The forward, signed from Potters Bar Town in December, netted a five minute brace in the first half to hand Teddy Sheringham his second consecutive win of pre-season following the 1-0 victory at Wealdstone on Saturday.
The Southern League Premier hosts started strongly and forced a series of corners which failed to trouble the Stevenage defence marshalled by Ryan Johnson and trialist Jamie Sendles-White.
Captain for the night Tom Conlon saw plenty of the ball in the middle of the park for Boro. The 19-year-old kept things simple when required, but showed glimpses of real class spraying passes out to the flanks.
The breakthrough came on 15 minutes as Akinyemi received the ball in the St Neots half, drove forward, beat a defender and sent a low effort past Town’s former Southend United keeper Danny Gay.
Akinyemi was on the scoresheet again soon after this time converting a Rowe ball at the far post to double his tally.
It was so nearly a first half hat-trick for the number nine as he won the ball in a challenge with keeper Gay, was forced wide but shot on target only for a sliding defender to block the attempt.
Boro kept the starting XI as the second half got underway.
St Neots had more of the game in a close second period and went closest to netting when Tom Meechan saw his shot just deflected wide, before Andrew Ofusu acrobatically fired a volley high and wide.
Following a host of changes for both sides it looked like Adinyemi had completed his treble, however after tucking confidently home the linesman flagged him offside.
He departed soon after as the game ended with his earlier strikes settling matters.
A more full strength Stevenage side will be in action at the Lamex Stadium on Friday against Championship side Nottingham Forest.
Stevenage: Jackson, Casey, Kerr, Conlon, Sendles-White, Johnson, Turner, Gorman, Akinyemi, Hill, Rowe.
Subs: Smyth, Yamfam, Sweeney, Croud, Gibson.
Att: 415
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