CHESTERFIELD PHOENIX...0 BOYTHORPE....5
Boythorpe faced thier toughest test in the league so far, when they visited League new boys Chesterfield Phoenix at Holmbrook Valley Park. With a fairly stiff breeze blowing from end to end Benny opted to keep Billy Furniss in goal due to the contiued knee injury to Martin Potter. Also missing was midfielder and captain Dean Brown who was on holiday, this meant a first start for Paul Walton.
Boythorpe started kicking down the slight slope with the wind behind them, but it was Phoenix who had the first chance in the 3rd minute, with a free kick floated over to the back post, but although it reached a player unmarked he put his header just wide. After 5 mins returning player Paul Walton went on a mazy run but his control let him down, from this Phoenix pushed forward and it took a fantastic, well timed tackle by Hardy to halt the strikers progress. Another free kick moments later was well caught by Furniss.
Boythorpe took the lead on 10 minutes, a great ball down the line by Higginbottom found Paul Walton who carried the ball on before crossing into the 6 yard box, to be met with a fine diving header by WRIGHT, who's contact wrong footed the keeper, and the ball crept in by the near post. On 15 mins Boythorpe almost surrendered thier lead, a bad ball out by Goodwin caused mayhem at the back but Phoenix failed to take advantage and the ball was eventually cleared.
A great ball by Bonson was knocked on by Wright to Higginbottom, who's fine cross just evaded Widerman who was well placed to pounce and the ball went for a goal kick. The keeper made a hash of the kick and the ball was picked up by Lee Walton, who took the ball on before crossing to WRIGHT who added his second of the game. On 18 mins Shane Bennett dallied on the ball in midfield and Phoenix sent a long ball over the Boythorpe defence, but again, a great tackle by Hardy averted the danger. Lee Walton cut out an attempted crossfield free kick by Phoenix and ran through with the ball before picking out Wright but his effort went narrowly wide. On 25 mins a deflected shot almost caught out Furniss, but he did well to push the effort for a corner. From the resulting kick a Phoenix striker found himself unmarked at the back post, he nodded the ball back across the box but the second effort was put wide.
Shane Bennett almost added a 3rd on 28 mins, when he was picked out with a throw, he cut inside before bending a shot from 30 yards that cracked against the upright. On the half hour Hardy found himself beaten before the winger got to the byline but his cross was cut out by Higginbottom. WRIGHT grabbed his NINTH league goal in 4 games on 35 mins, Scott Bennett knocked a fine ball through for Wright to run onto but as he entered the area the keeper sent him sprawling, with a dive Tom Daley would have been proud of and the ref pointed to the spot. Wright picked himself up before drilling the spot kick down the middle of the goal for 3-0. The score became 4-0 after 41 mins,Scott Bennett again the provider, finding LEE WALTON with a fine pass, who fired home his second in consecutive games.
Panic again in the Phoenix box on 43 mins Wright raced away again before the keeper made a fine save right on the edge of the box, the ball fell to Widerman, who tried to work space for a shot, but was blocked out by defenders. As half time loomed Boythorpe went close TWICE more, first Widermans shot was scrambled away just inside the post by the keeper, who then tipped over a smart shot by the busy Scott Bennett. HALF TIME Chesterfield Phoenix...0 Boythorpe...4
Benny warned his troops not to be complaicent as the second half started, and within 2 mins of the restart Furniss was called into action, making a fine save from a shot. Phoenix started to get a hold on the game making lovely one-twos all over the field and forcing Boythorpe to make a few mistakes. Furniss found himself more in the game as Phoenix used the conditions to thier favour, saving well at the feet of a striker, and then parrying another shot before collecting at the second attempt, but his best save of the match was a fantastic point blank save from a header. Widerman still looked busy causing panic on a few occasions as Boythorpe still looked dangerous going forward.
Boythorpe's first caution of the season came after 65 mins, Lee Walton adjudged to have made one foul too many for the referees liking. On 75 mins Phil Lawrence replaced Simon Bonson at full back when he picked up a nasty knee injury after a clash with a Phoenix midfielder. WIDERMANS persistance was rewarded on 85 mins Shane Bennett picked him out with a fine ball onto the wing, the keeper raced from his goal to try and beat him to the ball, but he skipped past him with ease, worked some space for a shot inside the box before smashing the ball against the underside of the bar and in. He almost repeated the trick two mins later, a carbon copy of the move, but this time he fired over. The last word was with Paul nWalton who shot narrowly over from 25 yards. FULL TIME Chesterfield Phoenix..0 Boythorpe...5. This win keeps Boythorpe 2 points clear at the top of the table. Other results in divison 8 this weekend. AFC Grouse..2 Masons Arms..3, AFC Hare and Hounds..1 Hopflower..1, Bolsover Old Boys..3 White Swan Res..2, Holmbrook Tavern Res..4 Winster..0, NWMW...2 Renishaw MW...5
