BOYTHORPE...4 HOPFLOWER UTD...2
The final home league game of the season, saw Boythorpe up against Hutson Cup Finalists Hopflower Utd at Somersall Park. They started the game in a very nervous manner with the visitors taking the lead after just FIVE minutes, Higginbottom failed to clear a header, just bringing the ball down for the Hopflower striker to glide past him, and slip the ball past the stranded Furniss in the Boythorpe goal, just as some players from our closest rivals, Renishaw, arrived pitch side (they just cant keep away from our games, can they??).
The Blues however were on level terms, just 5 minutes later, a throw in was won, and quickly taken near the halfway line by Bonson, and flicked on to WRIGHT, who beat his marker and raced towards goal. As the visitors keeper came out to meet him, he cleverly lobbed the ball over him and into the far corner of the net. This settled the hosts down and they began to put a few good moves together. Lee Walton was unlucky with a long range effort with the keeper holding his shot well. Brother Paul also went close as Boythorpe threatened to take the lead, but the keeper looked quite capable in goal.
He made a mistake moments later however, Megyesi chased a back pass down and the keeper scuffed his clearance straight to Wright, but although he took his shot early, the ball sailed inches over the bar. Boythorpes pressure was rewarded after 15 mins Scott Bennett won the ball some 20 yards out and fired a shot towards goal, the keeper pushed the effort away but only as far as MEGYESI who prodded the ball home for 2-1.
Boythorpe, although were well on top, still had to be wary at the back with Hopflower keen on ruining Boythorpes Championship push, they themselves put together a few good chances, but found Furniss in good form. On the half hour Goodwin found Paul Walton with a crisp pass, and he took the ball on weaving past a number of defenders before slotting through for Wright but his miscontrolled the ball and the chance slipped away. A minute later,Megyesi crossed into the box and the ball bobbled around the 6 yard box, without anyone managing to put the chance away. Shane Bennett slipped the ball through for Scott Bennett on 35 mins and the big striker was felled as he prepared to shoot, but the referee waved the pleas for a penalty away.
On 39 mins, a corner by Shane Bennett was headed home at the near post by skipper SHAUN GOODWIN to ensure a comfortable half time lead for the hosts. this was ALMOST added to in fantastic style when a free kick in his own half by Paul Walton was vollyed in one move by Megyesi, but the ball crashed against the bar before being cleared by the grateful defenders. HALF TIME Boythorpe...3 Hopflower Utd...1..
Goodwin almost profited from another Shane Bennett corner within 2 minutes of the restart, but the ball was cleared off the line in fine style for another corner. Megyesi went close on 49 mins with a rasping effort from 25 yards, that flew inches wide of the upright, with the keeper rooted to the spot. Miles came on for Higginbottom on 51 mins and slotted in well at full back.
As time wore on Hopflower seemed to be the stronger team, and again Boythorpe began to get nervous and make a few mistakes, passes started to go astray, and chances came and went. Widerman came on for Scott Bennett just after the hour, but he seemed to have little effect and the visitors confidence grew. Furniss again was called upon and diuved bravely at an attackers feet to grab the ball. On 63 minutes Shane Bennett found the tireless Megyesi with a fine pass and the in-form striker cut inside before firing in a shot that was fumbled by the keeper, but he managed to hold on. Goodwin was unlucky not to win a penalty on 67 mins when he was clewarly pushed with both hands in his back, and although the ref was perfectly placed to see the incident, he looked totally dis-intrested.
As Renishaw were thinking of leaving, they were given some hope, a terrible error at the back left Bonson stranded the wrong side of the Hopflower forward who raced towards goal, he was fouled with a combination of Bonson and Furniss, and the Referee pointed to the spot. The striker kept a cool head and sent Furniss the wrong way, bringing the score to a nervous 3-2 with 15 minutes remaining. Bonson was yellow carded after 80 mins for a bad tackle as it was backs against the wall for the hosts. As the light started to fade Shane Bennett won control of the ball, and sent in a curving ball beyond the Hopflower defence and up popped MEGYESI at the back post to steer the ball past the keeper and send the Renishaw boys home for a late tea. As time began to run out it was left to Lee Wright to show us his impression of Ronnie Rosenthal, hitting the bar with the net at his mercy, then picking up a yellow card for a bad foul on 89 mins. FULL TIME Boythorpe...4 Hopflower Utd...2 On returning to the pub news came through that other title rivals with games left Holmebrook Tavern Res had slipped up, drawing at home 2-2 against Chesterfield Phoenix, thus meaning that only Renishaw M.W. who have finished on 48 points from 20 games, and ourselves currently on 46 points from 19 games can win the title.
