A lovely sunny day at Church Road saw the visit of Halfway Reserves in a vital title contenders game that Boldmere simply had to win to maintain their title ambitions. Win they did, an emphatic 9-2 victory against one of their closest rivals. The gaffer made two changes to the side from last week with, Goal Keeper Steve Cullen returning and Tom Shakespeare also returned to the side. Jack Salter, Richard Leighton, James Duff and Craig Oates made up the bench. Boldmere were out of the blocks quickly and an early goal settled their nerves, when on 3 minutes, last weeks hero Michael Dossett pounced on Liam Hannon lay off to smash the ball home for a great start for the 'Bulldogs'. Halfway were playing some nice football and on 10 minutes with the Boldmere defence not closing down the marauding Halfway player he smashed home from 20 yards to level the scores. It was not long to wait before the next goal arrived and it was Boldmere that got it when on 17 minutes Che O'Connor's brilliant overhead kick finished off a great headed lay off from Liam Hannon. Boldmere were dealt an early body blow when the influential Adam Mills limped off with a recurrence of a thigh injury and was replaced by James Duff. However, Boldmere continued to press and added a third on 22 minutes, Richard McCausland finishing well after another lay off by the selfless Hannon. On 28 minutes a brilliant move involving several Boldmere players left substitute James Duff free wide on the left. He cut inside and delivered a brilliant cross onto the head of the ever aware O'Connor who finished with glee. Boldmere were not finished there and added a fifth before half time when the dangerous Tom Shakespeare swung in a brilliant corner directly into the net! Half time 5-1 At Half Time the gaffer released some harsh words as in truth despite the scoreline Boldmere were not at their best. James Duff was replaced by Jack Salter after picking up a knock. Boldmere were into their stride quickly and another goal was added when the skipper Paul Brady powered in a very brave diving header from a brilliant Tom Shakespeare cross on 49 minutes. The game ebbed and flowed with Che O'Connor always a big threat to the Halfway defence. Halfway were very spirited and continued to play some nice football but it was Boldmere that looked like adding more goals. This they did when Jack salter threaded a through ball to the lively O'Connor and he completed a brilliant hat-trick with aplomb to make it 7-1. Halfway retaliated immediately and pulled a goal back when the forward finished well after a defensive error. More chances were created by Boldmere and they eventually added 2 more goals when Che O'Connor finished off the assists by Jack Salter and skipper Brady to score his 4th and 5th goals of the game and give Boldmere an emphatic 9-2 victory. One more league game to go now on the 30th April at home to Coldfield Rangers and with the news filtering through that Boldmere's closest rivals had lost, Boldmere now know that a victory in their final league game of the season will bring them the coveted league title. Before all that can happen though Boldmere have the little matter of the Rumsby Cup Final against a tough FC Sportsman's side to overcome. They know that they will need to be at their VERY best if they want to lift their first silverware in the clubs history #WeGoAgain
