A cold and damp Tuesday evening under the lights at Church Road... what better place to be to watch football! Boldmere knew that they had to be back to something like their best if they were to achieve their goal of taking all 3 valuable points against a tough and determined Crown Elite side.
After Sundays inept and disappointing display the gaffer made a few changes. Tom Shakespeare, Rich McCausland and Paul Davis all returned with Craig Oates, Chris O'Brien and Darren Hamilton moving to the bench along with Olly Nicholson and the returning Michael Dossett.
The game kicked off and without one Crown Elite player touching the ball the 'Bulldogs' took the lead in the first minute. Some great interchanges of play ended when Jamie Walker squared the ball to the onrushing Aaron Humphries who finished well. Eight minutes later it was 2-0. Rich McCausland heading home a long throw from John Haycock that the visitors failed to clear. Crown did have one breakaway chance, the lightening quick winger burst through, but Steve Cullen was equal to the task in the Boldmere goal. On 25 minutes disaster struck when the dangerous Jamie Walker went down under a challenge form the Crown fullback and had to be substituted with Chris O'Brien entering the fray. Boldmere were now rampant, with Brady, Dawber, Shakespeare, McCausland and Humphries all linking well with each other and the ever available Liam Hannon. Any slight threat posed was quickly snubbed out by the solid looking Boldmere back 3 of Mills, Davis and the outstanding Haycock. Boldmere were a constant threat now and on 35 minutes Brady was picked out from an accurate McCausland free kick and gleefully headed home for 3-0. More good play was rewarded in the 39th minute when the referee pointed to the spot for Boldmere after Humphries was bundled over. Hannon stepped up but the Crown keeper was equal to the task and saved well low down to his left. In a rare Crown attack the ref awarded a free kick to Crown 25 yards out and while Boldmere were organizing the Crown player cleverly curled home to make it 3-1 at half time.
'More of the same please' was the simple half time team talk. Although Crown looked better and more lively in the second period, it was Boldmere that continued to carve out the chances. Every Boldmere player was performing well in all areas and with a little more luck more goals could have been the reward, as the 'Bulldogs' piled up the attempts. In the 60th minute Paul Davis celebrated his return to the side when he rose perfectly to thump home a header from the impressive Tom Shakespeares cross to make it 4-1 and Boldmere were now well in control and easing to victory. Time for one more goal and it came in the 90th minute when Hannon was upended in the box, he picked himself up and slammed home the spot kick to make amends for his earlier penalty miss and make the final score Boldmere 5-1 Crown Elite
A great, solid performance from the 'Bulldogs' got its just rewards and showed why they sit top of the table.
Latest news is that Jamie Walkers ankle injury is ligamnet damage and Jamie is currently in plaster...... we wish him a speedy recovery.
On Sunday, second in the table FC Concorde visit Church Road for a 'top of the table' clash. The 'Bulldogs' will again be striving to be at their best for another tough encounter
#WeGoAgain
