On a night where the heavens opened, I now have to look at another shower.

Stevenage were not at their collective best as they fell to a 2-0 loss away to Peterborough United in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

But among the dark clouds, who were the rainbows and where were the golden linings?

This is how I saw it.

Player ratings

Peterborough United (2) 2 Stevenage (0) 0

Taye Ashby-Hammond - 6

A first appearance this season and to be honest it showed. Decent enough when it came to claiming crosses, the second goal highlighted his rustiness. A fit Taye covers the angles better, instinctively, and saves Sparkes's shot. Still, it was good to see him back.

Dan Butler - 7

I thought he did well. Some decent enough crosses into the box that were missing a final touch because of the movement in the middle more than his deliveries. And he tried to get forward and affect the game. That is a big help for Boro.

Carl Piergianni - 7

He does need a break and will hopefully be on light duties for the next few days but he is so consistent, it is always going to be a blow not having him in your team. This was solid and especially because he was playing on the right of the centre-half pairing.

Nick Freeman - 6

I thought he did alright. Was involved in a lot of the good build-up play and while there is an argument to say he was too safe with his passing at times, he was still positive for the most part. Nowhere near the standard he was in January and February but this will do for starters.

Dan Kemp - 6

It's difficult with him. In terms of his output, he is a constant presence and a menace to the opposition. However, too often things don't come off and moves break down with him. I guess it's the difference between League Two and League One. He's got the ability, now needs to improve the mental side of the game, the decision-making.

Tyreece Simpson - 3

Just not good enough on the night. I can forgive people missing chances, even if he REALLY should have scored, but for a lad of his strength and size and power, to be muscled off the ball by a defender that isn't breaking sweat, or to see said defender wriggle a foot in and poke the ball away effortlessly, that just can't happen. Was excellent in that cameo against Wrexham but that needs to be the norm, not the rarity.

Kane Smith - 6

A couple of good tackles but that was about it, and even some of them were more luck than judgement. Caught out for the second goal and then didn't get close enough and showed him the wrong way, but the damage had probably be done further up the pitch. Not his best game but solid enough and could be needed with the injuries around him.

Lewis Freestone - 8

Performance for me summed up by a crunching tackle in the first half, full of blood and guts and ferocity, that started a counter attack. Regularly getting to the ball first when he was the last man and clearing up danger. Still areas of his game to work on but showing himself to be an astute signing. Comet Sport man of the match.

Harvey White - 5

Linked play quite well with his fellow midfielders and the defence but didn't play many forward balls. Another that was too safe with his passing 

Ken Aboh - 4

Improved after the break a little bit but was way off the pace. If he still thinks the game is played at the pace of an U23 fixture, then he is in bother. Looked to be expecting much more time on the ball. That doesn't happen at this level and the annoying thing is, never looked like it was sinking in. Has to be better.

Jake Young - 6

Has to score in the first five minutes but doesn't make the right connection and allows the shot to be blocked. Played the full game though which will be a help and linked up well at times. There is only so long, however, you can say it's coming. It has to get here soon.

Subs - Ryan Doherty, Makise Evans, Lenny Brown

Great to see the youngsters get a run out and while they came on at the wrong time, when everyone just wanted to get to full-time without injury, they will benefit from that.

Peterborough stand-out players

I was quite impressed with Jack Sparkes, got up and down from left-back very well while on the other side James Dornelly was actually good defensively. Had seen him more as an attacking threat on Saturday.

Overall

It was a poor performance, certainly up front. Toothless was how I described it in the match report, some nice play leading up to the box and then off came the wheels.

Second half lacked any spark even before the rain delay which is annoying. There was a sense of 'it's only the EFL Trophy so it's not important'. That's rubbish. You need to be on your game in every competition.

Some were playing for a shirt. Some impressed, some tried, others tried my patience. Into October now and the honeymoon period is over for some. Time to start seeing progression.