BOYTHORPE...0 HOLMEBROOK TAVERN RESERVES...3
Benny went for an adventurous 3-4-3 formation for the top of the table clash at Somersall Park today (sunday). Left out of the previous weeks victorious side were Alan Hardy, Martyn Higginbottom,Craig Megyesi and Steve Miles, all dropping to the bench and coming in were keeper Billy Furniss back from his honeymoon, Lee Whitehead back from injury, and Scott Bennett and Lee Walton recalled to the side.
On 2 mins the first chance went to Tavern, a long through ball wasnt dealt with, but Furniss was alert to the danger catching the ball well. It was only temporary however as the visitors took the lead on 4 mins. A throw in was made a hash of by the hesitant Blues defence and the loose ball was stabbed home. Boythorpe almost got back into the game moments later, Scott Bennett held up the ball well in the middle before setting Wright free with a superbly weighted through ball, but the defender kept up with the striker and prodded the ball for a corner.
On 11 mins a great move involving Shane & Scott Bennett along with Widerman, but the move fizzled out to nothing. Boythorpe struggled in defence down the slope with a strong wind in thier faces, and Tavern almost capitalised on the quater hour when a through ball into the box saw Furniss hesitate allowing the striker to nip in and take the ball round the stranded keeper, but he was thwarted by a classy last ditch saving tackle from Whitehead, who timed his intervention to perfection, or he would certainly have been walking. The nervy defence crumbled again and on 17 mins Tavern cut through again before smashing the ball against the bar before it was cleared.
Boythorpe themselves hit the post at the other end, a free kick picked out Wright who brought the ball under control, before drawing the keeper and hitting the woodwork from a tight angle. The same player was hard done by a minute later when a ball from Brown picked him out and his shot struck a defender on the arm, but the appeals for a penalty were waved away. The hosts defence continued to struggle and on 26 mins a terrible short ball from Goodwin back to Furniss saw the keeper stranded again, but he bravely dived at the strikers feet to rescue his side. Furniss made a fine save a minute later, a long well struck free kick was patted down before he gathered the ball at the second attempt.
Furniss excelled himself again on the half hour, another free kick crashed against the defensive wall, before rebounding back to a Tavern striker, and Furniss saved the second strike at goal. It was one way traffic at this time and Whitehead was left standing by a fine turn just outside the box, before Furniss saved the day AGAIN. As half time approached, the keeper was busy again on 34 mins, good work down the left wing by Tavern saw a fine cross headed inches wide, before the goal was finally breached again on 35 mins when yet another through ball beat the hosts defence and was fired home for 2-0. HALF TIME Boythorpe...0 Holmebrook Tav Res...2.
Benny kept the same 11 on the field for the start of the second half, with the message to use the conditions as the visitors had previously, but Furniss complained of a stiff back from a long standing injury so an eye had to be kept on his progress. The brave keeper had to call it a day however just FIVE mins later, and last weeks stand in keeper Hardy came on and went between the sticks. He was brought into action swiftly however as on 52 mins made a fine diving save only to see the ball fall into a strikers path, but he was in an offside position so although he stroked the ball home the ref ruled the goal out.
Hardy was the hero again on 55 mins, Whitehead was deemed to have fouled inside the box (very harshly) we think, but the keeper pushed the spot kick away at full stretch, before saving bravely at another strikers feet as the ball spilled free inside the six yard box. On 63 mins Megyesi replaced last weeks double goal hero Scott Bennett as the tall striker toiled away up front with no reward. But within 2 minutes Holmebrook went into a more comfortable lead, a free kick 25 yards out, Hardy placed his wall but a switched on Holmbrook player stationed himself inside the box, the ball was rolled to him and he picked his spot before firing home. On 67 mins Megyesi found himself with a chance on goal inside 4 mins of coming on, but he crashed his effort just over the bar when well placed. It certainly wasnt Boythorpes day as time and time again the final ball let them down, and possesion was given away far too easilly, as Tavern managed to cope better at the back.
On 70 mins Brown went close however when his well struck free kick fizzed inches wide of the upright, and on 76 mins a powerfull run by Paul Walton down the midfield was played through for Megyesi, but he dithered too long and was crowded out. As time wore on the hosts got more and more desparate as the few chances they had were either wasted or came to nothing. FINAL SCORE Boythorpe...0 Holmebrook Tavern Reserves..3 The maths are now simple if the Blues want to win the League, they have SEVEN league games left and can't afford to DROP ANY MORE POINTS AT ALL!! It is still in thier OWN hands 7 games, 7 wins = CHAMPIONS!!! Any slips and its down to needing others to slip up. Final Games are HOME Winster Wasps, Hopflower Utd and AFC Hare & Hounds. / AWAY Masons Arms, Hoplower Utd, Winster Wasps and Holmebrook Tavern Res.
