Boots Wednesday twice battled back from a goal down against Caythorpe to notch their first win of the season and bag their first points into the bargain. Boots had the better of the early exchanges against a groggy Caythorpe, with Ash having a shot saved after being found in space on the right hand side after a neat series of passes down the left flank. Boots continued to have the majority of possession and Caythorpe attacks were easily snuffed out by a well organised defence, but similarly Boots couldn't quite find the final ball or hit the target with their attacking play. Boots were nearly made to pay when a corner resulting from an excellent save by Phil appeared to drift over the line, but the referee didn't see it and play continued with Boots having been somewhat let off the hook. Shortly after Boots had a great chance to take the lead when Bally was put clean through for a one on one; unfortunately his strike found the ground rather than the ball and the relieved keeper was able to gather it up. Caythorpe then took the lead when a free-kick bounced in the area evading defence, attack and (crucially) Phil which meant that Boots were undeservedly a goal behind. However, this setback merely spurred Boots on, and the rest of the half was dominated by the men in red.
After an encouraging end to the first half, Boots scored their first goal since the opening day of the season within minutes of the restart when Bally muscled a defender off the ball and slotted it home through the keeper's legs. Boots then looked to press home their advantage, but fell behind again from a free-kick after Fletch was harshly adjudged to have fouled a Caythorpe midfielder. The ball was floated into the box and a Caythorpe player came from nowhere to send an inch perfect header in the top corner. At this point Griff came on for the hard working Ash and Man of the Match Rowan was switched from the left to the right. From a set piece on the left Boots again drew level as the ball was half cleared by the Caythorpe defence to Pete, who hit a half-volley from outside the area which the keeper could only palm onto the bar. Bally ghosted through a sleeping defence to tap in the rebound and claim his second of the game. Boots continued to dominate and worked hard to create a succession of chances which somehow evaded the net, before taking the lead from a Pete freekick which a Caythorpe defender helpfully put past his own keeper. With their noses in front Boots held onto their lead with relative ease, coping well with everything a tiring Caythorpe could throw at them. Aidan came on to replace Bally with ten minutes to go, and Boots saw out the game comfortably without further incident.
Regardless of the how hungover Caythorpe were it was a good performance, Pete and Sam were excellent in midfield, Dave and Fletch organised the defence well and both the wings were effective and used frequently with full backs and winger communicating with and supporting each other. Bally and Dave worked really hard up front all of which allowed for some flowing and composed passing moves which we do a lot of in training but all too rarely in matches. It was also good that nobody lost their cool when we twice went behind. The scoreline could have been much higher in our favour if we'd have taken all our chances, but either way was a solid team performance and a well deserved win.
