Stevenage drew level twice before edging Leyton Orient 2-1 in a turbulent Tuesday evening fixture that produced ten bookings and swung repeatedly on set-piece moments and individual errors.
Orient took the lead inside the first quarter-hour through James Tyrrell Reid, and for a spell they looked the more composed side, controlling possession in the middle of the park. Sean Clare levelled for Stevenage shortly after, and the game entered a frenetic closing period to the first half. Dominic Ballard restored Orient's advantage in the 44th minute, only for Stevenage to equalise through C. Goode deep in stoppage time, with L. Freestone and Kaelan Casey also booked as tempers frayed around the interval.
The second half continued at the same pace. Tyreeq Bakinson was carded early in the restart, and Dominic Ballard collected his second booking shortly after, reducing Orient to ten men from the 55th minute. That dismissal shifted the balance decisively. Theodore Archibald gave Stevenage the lead on 74 minutes, finishing with assurance after Orient's defensive shape had been stretched by the extra man.
Beryly Lubala was booked as Orient attempted to force their way back into the match, but substitute Archibald sealed it in the 90th minute to confirm a 2-1 victory for Stevenage. Sonny Perkins and Kaelan Casey picked up late cards as frustrations boiled over on both sides.
Stevenage were the sharper team when it mattered.
Recap generated from the event timeline. Editorial team review by request. How we use AI.
