Displaying improved fitness and an uncharacteristic ruthlessness in front of goal, Boots Wednesday came from 4-0 down to beat Caythorpe 7-5 in their first pre-season friendly. Boots were unnecessarily hurried and flustered during the first 30 minutes, and the opposition took full advantage of the sloppy passing and space to pile pressure on Phil’s goal, heading home a number of corners and accurate crosses to take a 4-0 lead. Brett suffered a bloody and broken nose as he rose for a header, so SuBo dropped back to partner Fletch in defence. Despite falling behind, Boots slowly worked their way back into possession, and following a one-two with debutant Ross, Patto’s hopeful through-ball/punt from half-way bounced over the keeper and rebounded off the bar, with the sharp Bally on-hand to volley home the dropping ball. Showing a renewed battling spirit, Boots maybe should have scored again before half-time but Luke and SuBo both saw shots smothered, and Patto played in Birthday Boy Ian down the middle and set-up Bally for a header from a corner, but both finishes drifted narrowly wide. At the other end Phil had to be on his toes as Caythorpe still created some excellent chances which he smothered or tipped wide.
Despite Caythorpe continuing to play with pace down the wings, the Boots team, with Spence’s ‘half-time hair-dryer’ still ringing in their ears, neutralised the threat and dominated the second half, particularly in the air. While Simon and Ian broke down play in midfield, Luke, Ash, Bally, Patto, Kieran and Griff all combined in attack to win corners and throws from which Boots could launch attacks. SuBo highlighted the aerial supremacy by crashing home a header from Ross’s corner within the first few minutes of the restart, and then SuBo won another header at the back post to steer the ball across goal where Fletch was waiting to volley in from close range. It didn’t take long before Boots were level when Ian took down Griff’s low corner at the front post, and Luke controlled the bouncing ball and smashed a finish into the top bin for his first Boots goal. With their own energy levels wavering, Caythorpe struggled to stem the flow of Boots moves, and Ross followed in his own corner to win a penalty as Referee Phil ruled that his goal-bound shot was ‘handballed’ (possibly a thigh!) Ross dispatched the penalty low into the bottom right corner for his debut goal to give Boots the lead. In defence SuBo, Fletch, Phil P and Hawrylak were composed and efficient, shepherding the Caythorpe attacks well, while Rowan’s debut in goal was assured and solid. Boots refused to take their foot off the pedal and persistent movement from Kieran, Luke and Griff produced more corners from which Boots could attack, with Ian heading home a Birthday Goal at the back post from SuBo’s corner. Boots suffered further injuries as Phil Parrot and Ross suffered ankle-knack, while Hawrylak received a generous finger in the eye during a goal-mouth scramble. Caythorpe did get one more goal from a curling free-kick that Rowan’s ‘jazz hands’ save failed to stop, before Bally claimed his second goal to wrap up the victory: Kieran ran across the edge of the area eluding several challenges, before rolling the ball into the path of the unmarked Bally who saw his first shot saved onto the bar, but followed up with his head to nod into the empty net.
Overall it was a great team response to a poor start, with the value of improved fitness and communication clearly demonstrated!
