STARS ABROAD: Harambee Stars defender helps his side to Round of 16 of English Football League Trophy
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 03.12.25. | 11:46
The 25-year-old started the game and played for 45 minutes before being replaced as Walsall’s momentum grew in the second half
Kenyan defender Vincent Harper featured for Walsall FC on Tuesday night as they secured a 2-1 comeback victory over English League One side Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium to book their place in the EFL Trophy Round of 16.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
Harper started the game and played for 45 minutes before being replaced as Walsall’s momentum grew in the second half.
The Boro, who currently sit second in League One, had taken the lead early in the second half, but a brace from Rico Richards turned the game on its head, securing Walsall’s progression to the next round. Details of the upcoming draw will be confirmed in due course.
Walsall manager Mat Sadler made ten changes to the side that defeated Bromley on Saturday, with Harper the only one to keep his place in the starting lineup.
Several youth academy graduates were rotated into the squad, while Stan Straw made his first Walsall start. Ronan Maher, Jenson Kilroy, and McLoyd Oben were among the substitutes.
The first half saw Stevenage create early chances. In the tenth minute, a corner found Carl Piergianni, whose header was blocked. Walsall quickly countered, but Richards could not convert from close range.
Stevenage went close again in the 26th minute when Louis Thompson’s effort clipped the crossbar, followed by Pattenden lifting a shot over the bar three minutes later.
Courtney Clarke also tried an ambitious long-range effort in the 42nd minute, but it missed the target.
In the second half, Stevenage had the opening opportunity, with substitute Malcolm firing over in the 50th minute. Seven minutes later, Piergianni put the hosts ahead with a header despite goalkeeper Sam Hornby getting a hand to the ball.
Walsall responded in the 63rd minute. Jake Hollman led a counterattack down the right and delivered a cross to loanee Rico Richards, who confidently finished into the corner to equalise.
Fifteen minutes from time, Richards completed his brace as confusion in the Stevenage defence allowed him to tap into an empty net, turning the game around from a losing position.
In added time, Stevenage’s Young came close to scoring, but his effort went wide. Walsall held on to advance to the next round.
