Boots finished the 2009/10 season with a fully-justified 2-2 draw against Clifton Dynamo Reserves. Several last minute injuries before the match forced Simon into a defensive reshuffle, with Hawry-lick partnering Brett in the centre of defence and Sweetman taking up right-back duties with Rowan in front of him. Although lacking some of last week’s energy, Boots hassled their defence from the off, and Patto saw a good volley (from Paul’s header) blocked, while Danny had two great one-on-one chances in the early stages (one from an penetrating Chibbert through-ball and the other from an intercepted goal-kick) but he was forced to shoot with his left foot and the keeper saved comfortably. Clifton hardly troubled the Boots defence with their attempted through-balls, but were eventually fortunate when one incisive pass evaded everyone and allowed their striker to tap the ball past the approaching Phil and into the net. To their credit, Boots instantly reacted, and a foul on Patto on the halfway-line presented Toobs with the opportunity to launch a dangerous ball towards their shaky defence. Brett’s freekick hit the target, unfortunately flying beyond the Boots attackers but into the arms of the waiting keeper, who kindly flapped the ball into the empty net for Brett’s second goal in two games. Patto almost grabbed a second when a lovely one-two with Danny allowed a first time shin-shot towards the bottom left corner, and the crouching keeper saw his second flap of the match ricochet the ball millimetres over the bar. Boots also threatened on a number of other occasions from Simon, Crozier and Sweetman’s long throws, while Phil made a wonderful low save with his leg to deny a volley, but the half ultimately ended all square.
As both teams tired, space began to open up in the second half. Rowan made a number of dangerous runs from the right, but saw his shot/crosses saved. Patto worked a good chance with Simon, but couldn’t hit the target with his left foot, while Chibbert was played through on goal but smashed his shot against the post. Clifton saw a lot of the ball in midfield without really threatening, with Phil catching or punching their most dangerous crosses/corners. Eventually Clifton were handed a slice of luck when a front-post header looped over the out-stretched Phil, and their striker bundled the ball into the net with his chest/arm. Griffin and Kieran offered fresh legs down the left for the injured/tired Danny and Chibbert, and Boots produced several passages of composed play, with Paul continually winning everything in the air to increase the pressure on the Clifton midfield. With 5 minutes remaining Paul played a lovely weighted ball into the path of Patto, who won a corner off the covering defender. From the ensuing set-piece, Rowan swung a glorious cross towards the back post, and Man of the Match Paul Aplin, playing his final game for Boots Wednesday, rose above his marker to plant a powerful header into the top right corner and seal a deserved point for Boots.
