AFC Grouse....0 Boythorpe....1
Boythorpe registered thier THIRD 'double' of the season, at a very bumpy Highfield Park. Kicking downhill, they carved out a golden chance straight from the kick off, Lee Walton picking out Wright, with a fine ball down the wing, Wright sent in a superb low cross into the six yard box, but the ball evaded Widerman rushing in. They went close a couple of mins later afer a blatant push on Wright, Shane Bennett sent the free kick in low but the keeper gathered easily.
Grouse went close after winning a corner from a great Steve Miles clearance, Goodwin headed the corner away only as far as a Grouse player but he fired over when well placed. On 10 mins good work by Widerman sent Wright clear with a through ball, but the ball bobbled in front of the striker to the grateful keeper. On 18 mins Higginbottom was beaten by the surface, allowing the ball under his foot, but the chance was wasted.
The pitch was playing a great part with all the players having trouble controlling the ball, but a great team move on the half hour with Brown and Wright trading passes sending Widerman clear, but AGAIN the ball took a bobble, and went harmlessly out for a goal kick. Furniss was called into play for the first real time on 40 mins, when a ball up the left was crossed in and pushed away to the edge of the box by the keeper, who quickly got up to push away the follow up.
As half time approached the Blues forced a couple of chaces, Wright was fouled again on 42 mins, Brown whipped the free kick in, but Miles put the ball wide of the post from 6 yards. The host keeper made a great save a minute later, Higginbottom played in Shane Bennett whose shot was superbly tipped over. From the resulting corner there was a scramble in the packed area, the ball came out to Higginbottom whose first time shot was blocked. HALF TIME AFC Grouse...0 Boythorpe...0.
Boythorpe started strongly from the restart, winning a free kick in a dangerous position, but the keeper was alert, and gathered the ball well, low down. He was made busy again on 52 mins, Widerman pushing the defence back with a strong run before feeding the ball to Walton, whose first time shot was clawed away by the keeper for a corner.
Bonson made a great last gasp tackle as Grouse threatened on 55 mins, winning the ball just inside his own box as the striker prepared to shoot. The corner though was well cleared by Goodwin who was proving to be a rock at the back. Boythorpe took the lead on 62 mins, Brown was fed the ball out on the right, he beat a defender before firing a shot come cross in that the keeper pushed away only as far as WIDERMAN who was lurking in the 6 yard box unmarked, he took his time before rolling the ball over the line for 1-0.
Moments later Lee Walton required attention pulling up, holding his calf, suffering from cramp. He failed to shake it off, and was replaced by his brother Paul on 67 mins. We had a comedy moment on 69 mins when the referee made a well timed tackle on Widerman after losing his footing, but a minute later another grat save by the Grouse keeper went to Wright who almost made the game safe, chipping the ball cheekily over the keeper, and a defender only to be denied by another defender who had gone in behind HIM, to head off the line.
Furniss then made a great save at the other end, as the home side started to push for an equaliser as time began to run out. Bonsons thigh then began to tighten up as the pitch began to take its toll on the players, and he was replacd by Hardy with just 10 mins left on the clock. Scott Bennett had a golden opportunity on 81 mins being sent clear on the half way line, as he and Wright bore down on goal the keeper rushed to the edge of the box to make a fine save. Widerman went close on 83 mins, a raking through ball by Shane Bennett was taken on but the in form striker fired across the keeper and just wide.
Furniss was on his toes again on 84 mins, a break from Grouse was well saved low down at full stretch by the Blues keeper who was having the busiest of the closing minutes, when soon after had to catch a free kick into the box while under pressure. But it was the HOME keeper who had the bigest break of the day with just 2 mins remaining, Wright raced clear of 2 defenders and was crudely HACKED down by the keeper who had raced out of his box. The ref could, and SHOULD have given him a straight RED, but gave him the break of the day with just a yellow.
Furniss made the points safe for the Blues in the final minute, blocking a shot from a low cross, just 3 yards from his goal line giving the hosts a corner. The keeper (who shouldnt have been on the pitch) came up for the corner, but the defence held firm and the points were won. FULL TIME AFC Grouse...0 Boythorpe...1. Although a very scrappy disjointed game Boythorpe dug in and ground out a resullt, keeping them WELL in touch with the leaders (and RED HOT favourites for the title....according to the Derbyshire Times..Hmmm!!), Renishaw, who kindly came over to watch our game and BOOST the attendence, THANKS!! as the Top of the League clash with Holmebrook Valley fell foul of the frost.
