Another match day ended in disappointment when Boldmere failed to make the most of their superior possession and approach play once again.
Changes were made to the side with goalkeeper Steve Cullen (below) making his debut and John Boyd making his first start to the season at right back, influential skipper Paul Brady also returned.
Boldmere were 1-0 down before they had even woken up! Poor marking and lack of concentration ended up with A Castle Vale player smashing home a loose ball from 20 yeards after 1 minute! In truth Castle Vale started the better and Boldmere failed to do the simple things right, often choosing the wrong pass and often caught in possession. After 15 minutes the 'Bulldogs' started to come into the game and were a constant threat to a sluggish looking Castle Vale defence. James Duff was very prominent in this period of play and was 'unlucky' on 2 occasions when the Vale keeper made 2 outstanding saves from excellent goalbound efforts and also an excellent save to tip over a 25 yard screamer from Brady.
Boldmere were now showing more, with man of the match Liam Hannon and Olly Nicholson a constant threat.
However in the 37th minute Boldmeres start to the season was summed up when Vale capitalised on a mistake by Boldmere in midfield and fired home to make it 2-0! This was a body blow but also a wake up call, as Boldmere continued to have most of the possession and were playing most of the football. On the stroke of half time skipper Brady fired over when excellently placed and so another chance went begging. Half time came wth the score at 2-0
Chris O'Brien and Michael Dossett were the replacements at half time for the out of sorts McCausland and the injured Boyd respectivley.
Boldmere continued to press and certainly deserved the goal when the hard working Nicholson capitalised on some good work by Duff to fire home from just inside the box................. game on!
More pressure followed but the equaliser was not forthcoming. In the 88th minute Vale cruelly made it 3-1 when they converted a penalty after a mistake from the normally reliable Mills.
This is a result that leaves Castle Vale Olympic top of the table with 3 wins out of 3 and Boldmere failing to understand how they lost this encounter, just goes to show that this division will be a close run thing.
One point from 3 games is not the start that Boldmere wanted and in truth nor is it the result that thier football and pressure have deserved over the last 2 weeks. I firmly believe that the first elusive win is just around the corner
We go again in search of our first win when we visit Atlas FC next Sunday, still believing that the 'Bulldogs' can and will be a threat in this division. However, for this to happen mistakes have to be removed, basic errors erradicated and the finishing touches applied! .............................'COME ON YOU BULLDOGS!'
