Deadly duo earn the plaudits

Graham Westley sang the praises of his strikers Chris Beardsley and Lee Barnard after Stevnage's 5-1 thrashing of Cheltenham.

The visitors came into this match off the back of 5-0 win over Swindon in the FA Cup but found themselves on the receiving end at Broadhall Way right from the off. Westley said: "That's what they're paid to do and it's what you always want from your strikers. "It shows what work ethic can do for you and Lee Barnard looked delighted to be playing alongside him as well. "Beardsley and Barnard are different types of player - Barnard when he plays usually goes up against people and runs channels. "They both arrive in the box and this afternoon both of them have been able to hit the back of the net. "Over the years when you come to Stevenage you know that they're going to play on the front foot and come and get after you and it's going to be a difficult opening. "It proved to be that today - it's not the first time this year we've done that and hopefully more and more as the side becomes familiar with each other." Stevenage were 2-0 up inside eight minutes as Beardsley tapped in after Barnard's header was saved before Charlie Lee bent a wonderful shot into the top corner. The game was beyond Cheltenham after 34 minutes as Beardsley claimed his second and Barnard got in on the act by turning in Charlie Adams' ball across. Byron Harrison then pulled a goal back for the Robins but Barnard scored the hosts' fifth after Marriott had charged down Trevor Carson's clearance. Cheltenham boss Mark Yates said: "As good as we were last week we were as bad today. "We got bullied and beaten off from start to finish and they did a good job on us. "We couldn't cope and the nasty thing about it is they've not had to do anything to score the goals. "Goals change games - we know that - but we've not defended well at all when the ball has come in our box. "Teams then sense that and they keep doing it so it was a horrible day at the office for us all and one that me and the players need to stand up and be counted. "We have to apologise to the supporters for dishing up that. "Those that travelled up were brilliant but we've gone from the sublime to the ridiculous in terms of our performance and result against us. "What we wanted to do was completely out the window after eight minutes."