Pre-season friendly at Top Field: Hitchin Town 0-3 Stevenage.

Two first half goals from Jamie Reid and a late third from Jake Forster-Caskey helped win the North Herts derby for visitors Stevenage in front of an attendance of 1,033 at Top Field.

Steve Evans showed respect to Canaries boss Mark Burke by bringing a strong Boro side to Fishponds Road on Tuesday evening, which included new signing Ben Thompson (below).

New Stevenage signing Ben Thompson on the ball at Top Field against Hitchin Town. CREDIT: @laythy29

Sporting their new home kit, featuring a striking red and white diagonal design to mark their return to League One following an excellent promotion season last term, Evans side had the better of the opening stages.

The pressure eventually told in front of a July rainbow over Top Field following a spot of pre-match rain, when the lively Reid slotted home just after the half hour mark to put Boro 1-0 ahead, following good work from Terrence Vancooten.

Worse was to come for the Canaries when Stan Georgiou was sent off for a late tackle on Elliot List in the box, leaving referee Richard Wharton no option but to issue a straight red card to recalcitrant Hitchin No6.

Up stepped Reid, who made no mistake from the spot, beating keeper Charlie Horlock (below) to make the score 2-0 before the interval.

Stevenage striker Jamie Reid makers no mistake from the penalty spot to grab his second goal of the match to make it 2-0 moments before half time at Top Field. CREDIT: @laythy29

Boro boss Evans made a raft of changes at the break to give the new boys in his squad a run-out, with a disjointed second half reflecting such adjustments.

There was still time for Forster-Caskey to make it 3-0 to the visitors from down the A602.