Boythorpe returned to League action after what seemed like an eternity on Sunday morning, but the game only went ahead after a referees inspection had passed it fit. Benny brought back Alan Hardy to play the sweepers role, at the expense of Lee Whitehead, who dropped down to the bench, also bringing in Paul Walton to replace Brother Lee wide on the right.
Play started a few minutes late due to the inspection, but Captain Dean Brown went close inside the first 5 minutes, a shot from just outside the box was well tipped over by the keeper. Phoenix had a chance at the other end, but the striker scuffed his shot wide when well placed. It was nearly unlucky 13 for the visitors as Brown fired in his trademark 40 yard free kick, but the keeper got his body behind the ball well. Wright went close seconds later, Walton won the ball just inside the visitors half, and played the ball through to the striker, but he pulled his shot just wide.
Boythorpe were now putting the Phoenix under pressure, Higginbottom showed his strength, winning the ball by the touchline before sending Scott Bennett free, he chased the ball down winning a throw. On 20 mins, great work by Walton finding Shane Bennett in space, he pushed forward before releasing his shot that took a wicked deflection, but was well saved by the visitors keeper.
Boythorpe took the lead on 33 mins, but there was a touch of controversy about it, Wright took a throw to Paul Walton who found Shane Bennett whose quick thinking played in WIDERMAN inside a crowded 6 yard box, the in form striker took his time before sliding the ball past the keeper into the corner of the net, the referee then noticed the linesman had raised his flag, but after consultation he awarded the goal. They almost went further ahead on 38 mins, Higginbottom AGAIN did well finding Walton who in turn found Wright, who won a corner, which was floated in by Shane Bennett, the ball fell to Wright who completly missed his kick when well placed. Captain Dean Brown picked up a nasty injury on 43 mins, play continued, but the Blues were pulled upn as they raced clear one on one with the keeper. HALF TIME Boythorpe...1 Chesterfield Phoenix...0.
Lawrence replaced Brown and the captains armband was tossed to Shaun Goodwin for the start of the second half, with Phoenix kicking downhill. Conditions were starting to take thier toll on the players and Lawrence made a fantastic saving tackle when Phoenix looked certain to score. They went close again on 57 mins, a free kick 25 yards out was cleverly flicked into the Blues box and the striker met it with a fine header, but Furniss saved well. He again had to be alert on the hour, a sloppy back pass left him well short, but again he showed his bravery keeping the ball out.
Phoenix eventually got back on level terms on 63 mins, but again there was a touch of controversy about it, a break by Phoenix set the striker free and as he entered the box Hardy came in with a slidiing tackle, touching the ball, but also a bit of the player and the ref pointed to the spot. Furniss guessed the right way but couldnt keep the spot kick out. This knocked the Blues out of thier stride and Phoenix took the lead just 2 mins later, a corner wasnt dealt with and dropped to a player on the edge of the 18 yard box, he passed his shot through a crowded area, deflecting off Hardy and Bonson before going under Furniss into the net.
Boythorpe now are made of MUCH stronger stuff and rolled up thier sleeves, and were back on level terms just 2 minutes later from another corner floated in by Shane Bennett. His pinpoint corner was met by WRIGHT who headed home. Benny then shored up his defence, bringing on Whitehead for the impressive Walton. Boythorpe then looked the more likely to take the game on a fast deteriorating pitch where running with the ball was VERY difficult. WRIGHT grabbed all 3 points for the hosts on 77 mins, Phoenix failed to clear the ball in thier own box and the in form striker wriggled free before firing home from a riddiculous angle. The last 13 mins saw few chances, but Lawrence went close on 80 mins after being played through by Widerman, but he put his shot wide. FINAL SCORE Boythorpe...3 Chesterfield Phoenix...2
