Match Report by Aidan Blenkinsopp:
After meeting early to get in an extensive pre-match warm-up, Boots spent half an hour hanging around waiting for the opposition to appear and confirm that we were in the correct place. As the welcome prospect of going back to bed looked ever more likely, Crown Inn (Beeston) duly appeared, and the game was on.
The sun was out, the pitch was hilly and thin, and the opening minutes were quite scrappy as neither side managed to get on top. Phil was probably the busier of the two keepers, but was only needed to play a sweeper role rather than make the acrobatic saves for which he is famous. Boots made the breakthrough midway through the first half when the ref blew for a foul (something he seemed reluctant to do most of the time) on the halfway line. SuBo launched the ball into the Crown box where Ian met it with a firm header that beat the keeper at his near post. With a goal in the bag, Boots had rattled the opposition who were putting in some fairly kamikaze challenges and losing their shape. Ian had a chance to double his tally before Phil's goal kick was flicked on by Rich to Ian, who deftly passed to Bally to make it 2-0 to Boots.
Shortly after the break Boots added a third when after a period of sustained pressure the ball came to Rich on the right wing, who absolutely deliberately floated the ball over the keepers head and into the top bin. Boots were firmly on top at this stage, and the points looked to be heading Leyton Crescent-wards, but the tide began to turn when Crown pulled one back from a corner, with an unmarked opponent allowed to rise and head home. Spence introduced Pat and Griff for Bally and Ash, and the game evened out before a controversial moment lead to another Crown goal. A hopeful ball was played over Brett's head to a clearly offside striker; the handsome and eagle-eyed linesman immediately raised his flag but the ref completely ignored him and in the confusion a goal was scored. Momentum was with Crown Inn, and after Daz (on for Ian) had his chance well saved the inevitable happened and Crown drew level. In spite of the disappointment Boots rallied and dominated the final ten minutes, creating several chances none of which could be converted (although Sicky agonisingly hit the post) and it ended 3-3. Shame not to bag all three points, especially from 3-0 up, but on the balance of play it was an even game and a draw was probably fair. Everyone put in a shift, and we've got a point on the board.
Also, thanks to everyone who played and volunteered to clean the kit, which was none of you (Sicky, Simon H, Brett and Phil are exempt as they volunteered but they've already done it this season).
The opposition didn’t give a Man of the Match this week (I guess we didn’t ask for one), but Spence has awarded it to Rich, who won lots of headers, competed on the right of midfield, and scored one goal and was involved in another.
