The Ascendants

The Greens made it five wins from their last six games with as they bulldozed past Boro in the opening 45 minutes, countering Charlie Lee’s effort with headers from Carl McHugh and Gregg Wylde, before Craig Tanner’s excellent left-footed strike found the far corner.

 

“I thought we were excellent in the first half,” said Derek. “We could’ve gone in five or six goals ahead at half time. The stats tell us that we had double the opportunities that Stevenage had today.

 

“I think that Carl McHugh’s was a great header. So was Gregg Wylde’s – he nearly did that the other night against Northampton, where we had it from a corner kick as well. It was the same scenario as the first game of the season, where Jervis has cross for Gregg Wylde and he’s scored. They’re providing assists and providing goals as well, so that’s important.

 

As for Tanner’s effort, Adams said: “He’s a good finisher, and it’s important that on the pitch, you have goal-scorers, and we’ve certainly got that.”

 

The visitors rallied in the second half and reduced the deficit to one through another Lee effort, but Argyle steadied the ship to secure their 17th league win of the season.

 

“We were in the ascendancy, playing really good football,” said Adams. “Great goals: a well-worked one for the Carl McHugh header; then Jake Jervis’ cross for Wylde, then Craig Tanner.

 

“In the second half, give credit to Stevenage: they changed their system, changed a couple of personnel. They got a goal back and just had to deal with them running forwards really, in the second half.

 

“Then we got a grip of the game again, and we could’ve scored a few more late on in the game.”

 

Derek’s Greens have not only maintained their spot atop the Sky Bet League Two table; they’ve also extended their cushion inside the promotional places to 11 points, and the boss sees this victory as just important as the 16 that preceded it.

 

“A thoroughly professional performance,” said Adams. “Another very good win for us, because you see that it’s very difficult to get wins in this league, and we’ve been able to do that.

 

“We couldn’t be any happier. You’ve seen today with the results: it’s a difficult league we’re in. But to have 17 wins out of 27 games and hit 55 points, we’ve got to be happy with that progress.”