Stevenage Borough bounced back in emphatic style following the sacking of Wayne Turner on Boxing Day as they totally dominated all areas of the game against a Farnborough side sitting at the top of the current form table.
BoroÂ’s star man was on-loan striker Justin Richards who finally hit superb form. It was he who created the opener with a fine run down the right wing, dancing past two Farnborough defenders, before his square ball into the centre of the six-yard area was met by the onrushing Martin Williams to stab the ball home.
Stevenage continued to dominate the first half but it wasnÂ’t until just before the end of the half that their pressure told. After a succession of corners the ball bounced out 25 yards from goal and found Simon Wormull, he cleverly skipped past one defender and unleashed a shot which went into the net via the left-hand post.
Before the Boro fans had time to sit down a swift free-kick from Sam McMahon found Richards in acres of space, he advanced on goal beat a defender and planted the ball left-footed into the bottom right-hand corner leaving Tony Pennock with no chance.
As expected Farnborough came out for the second half with the bit between their teeth but early chances by Lenny Piper and Rocky Baptiste were easily dealt with by Mark Westhead.
Stevenage put the game beyond doubt with some fine midfield interplay again, with McMahon providing the killer ball.
Wormull ran down the left wing and crossed for Richards to volley home from close range which despite a valiant effort on the line by a Farnborough defender, it was deemed to have crossed the line.
In the dying minutes Stevenage wrapped up the victory when Richard Pacquette was fouled in the box. Normal penalty taker Jason Goodliffe stepped aside to let Richards crack home his hat-trick.
Manager John Dreyer will be thinking that this management lark is all very easy, but this is only the first step on Boro's road to recovery.