After last weeks shambles of a game, Benny was keen for a better test for his team. All did not start well, with a couple of 'no shows' and one or two late comers, a matter that Bnnny let his players know about under no uncertain terms. Things did not get any better reaching the venue and finding ALL three pitches in use, and the referee that was booked for the game letting us down at the last minute, things as Benny put it were "in danger of going tits up". So a convoy to the ground on the Shuttlewood cross roads was set up and everybody moved camp, only for then the pitch having to be marked out with cones. We then had a game of will they wont they as it was 50/50 in the Highfields camp for who wanted to play and who didnt. This was finally resolved and we kicked off at 11-05 just 20 mins after the agreed time.
Boythorpe started well even though they were defending the well known steep from goal to goal slope at the ground, and after 5 mins went close when Wright put a decent chance just over the bar, On 9 mins strong work by the powerful Brown released himself and his shot also just went over. On the quter hour great vision by Lawrence released Widerman who tried to find his strike partner Wright but the keeper gathered the ball. Highfields firstb and best chance came on 17 mins, but the shot ended up in the side netting and didnt worry Furniss. A Highfield corner in the 22 min was cleared twice by the impresive Lawrence who was playing in the unfamiliar right back slot.
Boythorpe took a well deserved 1-0 lead after 28 mins, BROWN picked up a loose bal in midfield before pushing forward and releasing a screamer of a shot from easily 30 yards out that flew into the top left hand corner giving the keeper no chance. Highfield had a decent chance just after the half hour, wining a free kick for pushing, the chance was headed away for a corner by Whitehead. As half time approached Highfield grabbed an undeserved equaliser, the ball was lost out wide by the half way line, and the Highfield midfielder raced away towards goal persued by Bonson, who caught up with him and unfortunatly tripped him, at first it was thought the offence was just outside the box, but the ref pointed to the spot, and although Furniss went the right way the shot was too well struck and the the half ended level. HALF TIME Highfield...1 Boythorpe...1
Benny decided to not make changes at half time as the 11 had defended the slope so well,but seconds after the restart Highfield broke through, but the chance was halted with a fantastic tackle by Whitehead. 6 mins later good work in midfield by Highfield beat the Boythorpe defence but the chance was put over. Benny decided to swap Miles for Hardy and Bettney for Widerman as Highfields threatened to take advantage and instantly Lee Walton worked the ball to Brown whose snap shot just went over. Wright went close with a smart header saved well by the keeper. The breakthrough came in the 59th min after a great ball by Bonson found BETTNEY who took his time and cheekiliy LOBBED the keeper. Within 3 mins BROWN made the game safe weaving through and getting rid of a defenders attention before putting the ball beyond the keeper for a 3-1 lead.
Brown almost grabbed his hat trick in the 70th min but his shot went for a corner, and 2 mins later a double corner first a flashing header by Whitehead then a shot by Bettney almost made it 4 as Boythorpe caused havoc. At the other end a mistimed clearance by Lawrence was hooked behind for a corner by Bonson, but the chance was headed wide. With 10 mins remaining a Bettney cross was met with a flying header by Wright but it went JUST wide of the upright, on 84 mins Lawrence lost possesion and a good move by Highfields was ended when Silcock hooked the ball clear.
The game was put well beyond Highfields and given a much truer result as WRIGHT netted his FIFTH goal in four games, Walton found Betney, whose Cross was headed home by the striker for 4-1. Johnson replaced Lee Walton for the remaining last few moments. FULL TIME Highfield...1 Boythorpe...4. Classy performance by the WHOLE team and hardly a foot put wrong by anyone. Return to training during the week then a visit next weekend to either Darley Dale F.C. again or Hathersage
