Stevenage 1 Crystal Palace U21 0 - EFL Trophy player ratings

Tyreece Simpson got the only goal in the first half of the 1-0 success and puts them in a good position ahead of the final two group matches.

Games in this competition are often a little odd to call, rarely classics and often involving youngsters or squad players.

But they can be wonderful opportunities for individuals to put themselves in the front of a manager's thoughts, and a wonderful way for a team to build momentum.

This is how I saw this one play out.

READ MORE: Stevenage beat Crystal Palace 1-0 thanks to Tyreece Simpson - match report

READ MORE: Stevenage 1 Crystal Palace 0 - recap of the action as it happened

Player ratings

Stevenage (1) 1 Crystal Palace U21 (0) 0

Dean Bouzanis - 6

Precious little to do but it will have been good for him to get some competitive action under his belt. After recent seasons, you never know when you are going to need a keeper to step up.

Dan Butler - 8

This felt much more like it from the skipper on the night. Didn't have much of a pre-season and so it's felt like he has been on catch up since returning last week against Norwich. And the last two outings have been littered with little issues. Not here. Solid in defence, got forward as often as he could and looked closer to his best. Very pleasing to see.

Nathan Thompson - 6

He isn't a defensive midfielder but this is now the second time he has utilised there in recent weeks and it doesn't feel like it will change much. Wasn't too shabby here, broke up attacks and got his foot in when necessary. Proving to be a competent and highly useful member of the squad.

Dan Kemp - 9

Such a good player and has been such a good signing. Was involved constantly here and was a threat for the most part of it. The strange thing is though, he is a 10 out of 10 player, or at least should be almost every game. There's just little things, the odd time the ball doesn't stick to his foot, occasions when the pass needs to be forced through to its intended recipient and isn't as smooth as it could be, as fluid. Those are such minor points though and the best thing about it, it means there is still much more to come. That's a very exciting prospect. Comet Sport's man of the match.

Tyreece Simpson - 7

Took his goal very well and there were some good examples of his strength creating opportunities for himself and others. After his poor showing at Huddersfield, this was a welcome return to the positive column.

Kane Smith - 6

Not one of his better games but got up and down as often as usual and put in some good tackles at both ends of the pitch.

Charlie Goode - 7

Started slowly but got better, winning headers and putting in crunching tackles. To me that makes most things forgivable. Got 75 minutes as well which after two 45s was needed. Been a real super signing though and like Kemp, there is still so much more to give.

Lewis Freestone - 7

Been crying out to see him at centre-back and wasn't disappointed. Wasn't a vast amount for him to do defensively but for the most part, he looked way more comfortable than he does at left-back and very competent. Becoming a great member of the squad. 

Elliott List - 5

He'll have woke up this morning in a cold sweat thinking about the night before. There's no sugar coating it, his chance five minutes into the second half was just a horrendous miss and for a while after that, you could almost see the confidence oozing out of his body. There had been the odd good thing before that but he is going to need a big cuddle from the boss. The good thing he can take is he continue to put himself in the middle looking to score. That is important. 

Harvey White - 7

Drifted out of the game later on but by that point, Boro didn't need his magic to unlock defences. His passing is still excellent, as are his corners, and he was often dropping deep to pick up the ball and create something. His pivotal season is going well so far. 

Ben Thompson - 6

Was having a stinker early on but got better as the game wore on. There is such a good player there, we are just not seeing it often enough. Just needs to get a little more consistency in his performances, a little more consistency in his passing and he could be huge for the club. Fingers remain tightly crossed.

Subs - Makise Evans, Louis Thompson, Luther Wildin

It was such a shame that Boro could not have found a few more goals. Would have loved to see Alfie Thornett and David Hicks come on.

Got to see Makise Evans though and he showed some good moments. Had travelled to Huddersfield on Saturday and 25 minutes here suggests he is on the brink of making the match-day squad for a league game.

Wildin and Louis Thompson weren't really needed to change the momentum of the game, merely solidify things for the closing stages. They did that with relatively few alarms.

Crystal Palace stand-outs

The Eagles had a couple of players who missed good chances but it was the defence who were the busiest.

One that looked fairly decent was Adler Nascimento. Big and strong and could look after himself on the right-hand side of the defence.

Overall

A win is a win and like two years ago, when Boro lost on the Saturday, they always seemed to have an EFL Trophy match to restore the confidence.

This will have done that but this competition can be so much more. As a side who finished in the top half of League One last year, Stevenage should be one who makes the latter stages and with it a sniff of Wembley.

The momentum winning in this competition can bring to the league should not be overlooked. They did just enough here to claim the three points but it was a game that will have helped the squad dynamic and boosted them ahead of Burton on Saturday.

A good night really.