THANK GODD THERE’S MATTY
MATTY Godden grabbed a hat-trick as Stevenage forgot about their disappointing league form in the best possible way by putting Northern Premier League side Nantwich Town to the sword.
There are 81 league places separating these two teams, although it took 68 minutes for that gulf to really manifest itself, as Jonathan Smith’s quick-fire double made a nervy situation into one far more comfortable.
The score was eventually a harsh one on Nantwich, who were playing in the first round of the FA Cup for just the second time in their history and they had their chances at 1-0 down.
Stevenage manager Darren Sarll said: “Matty is a very good player and we know that he’s dangerous when he hits veins of form.
“The one that deflects off of him from Dale Gorman was a sign that he’s in good form.
“When Matt Godden hits a run, it’s very hard to stop him.
“Too many times I’ve been stood here after we’ve been great in the middle third and I’m really disappointed and sulking because we’ve got beat. This time though, we did our job right.”
Stevenage went ahead after 16 minutes from their first real chance, as Godden flicked in Joe Martin’s free-kick at the near post amid some loose marking.
This didn’t lead to an onslaught from the hosts, however, and Nantwich almost drew level when Sean Cooke whipped a low shot from the edge of the area just wide.
It sparked the Dabbers into life as just before the half-hour mark Nathan Cotterell played in Harry Clayton and he forced Joe Fryer to beat away his effort at the near post.
Cooke then sent a good chance for the visitors over from Cotterell’s excellent cross before Smith eventually doubled Stevenage’s lead by lashing in after Nantwich failed to deal with Martin’s corner.
Smith soon had another, as he headed in another Martin corner via the underside of the bar before Godden claimed a double of his own with a neat finish into the bottom corner to make it three goals in just seven minutes. There was still time for Godden to complete his hat-trick, as he diverted in Gorman’s volley from close range.
Nantwich boss Dave Cooke said: “We came in at half-time 1-0 down and I felt we’d done really well.
“For the next 10-15 minutes we had a really good go and their manager said that if we had have scored they would have been in trouble.
“They did us on three setpieces, where they were very strong and it just wasn’t to be.
“We haven’t been the best at set-pieces all season, but when you see four or five of their man-mountains then you know, obviously, that you’ve got to defend better.”