Stevenage travelled west to Gloucestershire minus Harrison, Theo and Arthur through injury or school trips for a tough-looking fixture against Gloucester Schools. Indeed we added both Charlotte and Isla to our squad today, but both deserve their chance.

In a quite even opening spell the teams were quite evenly matched and Stevenage were giving as good as they got. Unfortunately we failed to take the few chances thatcame our way, the Gloucester keeper making some fine saves, whislt the home side were clinical with some impressive finishing that saw them race into a quick 3-0 lead.

The Hertfordshire side did not give up though, and were rewardedwhen Reggie Young rose to nod home a header following a corner and it gave the visitors a brief hope, that was distinguished very soon after when the hosts scored a fourth before the half-time break.

With the game probably gone, we asked that the players keep battling away and not to concede more than four goals in the second half, and to their credit they kept Glocuester at bay for most of the half. But again, two stunning finishes adding to their total and they ran out 6-1 winners. I think, if you asked anybody that watched the game, whether 6-1 flattered the home team and I think most people would have agreed that it did, though no doubt that Gloucester deserved the points.

But it was a valiant performance by Stevenage, with three key players missing, and those that travelled overnight enjoyed the overall experience if not the result.