A fantastic team result illuminated by several exceptional individual performances spurred Boots Wednesday to a 2-0 victory over league leaders Inn the Bank. After receiving tactical notes from Toobs and Crozier, Deputy Manager Phil went with five in midfield, with Kieran “Putter” Scothern and Danny on the wings, Patto and Sweetman helping out Paul in the centre while Bally was asked to put in a good shift up front on his own. In near perfect conditions, Boots started brightest and it was evident that the extra bodies in midfield allowed the team to retain possession and build regular attacks. Bally was put clean through on two occasions in the opening 30 minutes, but his shots were well saved by the advancing keeper. Danny and Kieran, helped out by Chris and Crozier down the flanks, also saw plenty of the ball, while Sweetman, aided by the confident Boots defence, continually broke down Inn the Bank and played some lovely, simple passes with Paul and Patto. Eventually Boots made the breakthrough when Bally controlled a lofted ball from defence near the right-hand corner, and put in a dangerous pass across the goalmouth that the onrushing Paul couldn’t miss. Neil only had one low save to make in the entire half as Toobs and Fletch marshalled defence, saw away danger with minimal fuss, and set the midfield and Bally away with some quick but constructive clearances and towering headers.
The second half saw more of the same as Inn the Bank attempted to string a few passes together and create chances, but were continually hampered by Sweetman on the ground and Man of the Match Paul in the air. Boots still had chances of their own and Kieran and Crozier both threatened to break through on mazy runs, while midfield tried a few long range efforts. Phil replaced the crocked Danny with 20 minutes to go, and the space began to open up as Inn the Bank pressed down the wings to no avail as Chris and Crozier managed the danger, and linked up well with Patto, Bally, Kieran and Danny to worry the opposing defence. Chris Hawry-lick produced a burst of pace that was a “World Class Usain Bolt moment” (Scothern, 2010), but with the keeper advancing, his squared pass to Patto (who was level, but inevitably given offside) was cruelly intercepted. Phil produced a sensational effort to clear the ball when he back-flipped and landed on his rear end, before Boots sealed the win when Bally was set away down the right. His lobbed pass to the supporting Patto on the left evaded the one remaining defender, and Patto (who had been cleverly pretending to be slightly knackered for the previous 15 minutes as the effects of the 15 hour Saturday drinking session kicked in) managed to find the energy to beat his man, skip a late challenge as he waltzed into the penalty area and finish into the far corner with his left peg. In the dying minutes Patto almost played in Phil and Bally for one-on-ones, but he was simply too hungover to concentrate on finding the right pass. As the final whistle went, Boots celebrated a famous victory and were congratulated by a soundly beaten opponent. Thanks also to Griff and Pete for supporting from the bench.
