Boots produced a spirited and disciplined performance to gain a valuable win (their biggest in almost 2 years) against Notts Athletic, showing that the bonding and banter of Friday night (plus the odd black eye) was the much-needed tonic to get 3 points!
On a sloped pitch, Brett won the toss and decided to shoot downhill and this aided Boots in the first half, who definitely had the better chances and showed calmness on the ball with some good passing moves. However, the first incident of the match came in the centre of the park from our Player-Manager Pete, as he crunched into their left back with a high tackle. In Pete’s defence his foot rolled over the ball, but it did catch their player quite high! This incensed the opposition who were livid at the Referee (Pete managed to just walk away while they berated the Ref) and this set the tone for Notts Athletic as they felt victimised from that point onwards. Only a few minutes later they felt cheated again when the Referee awarded a penalty when Deano was taken down by two players in the box as he looked to pull the trigger (and most likely sky it) following a good through ball from Rich. Ian was bundled over and although one player got some of the ball, in our eyes (and more importantly the Ref’s) it was a clear penalty. Pete stepped up and slotted the set piece into the bottom right corner, with the ball rolling through the shoddy netting and out onto the road!
After the opener Boots continued to see most of possession, with Rich and Sam battling strongly in the midfield, and it was the former that had the only two other chances of the half as Boots tried to extend the lead. The first came when Deano held up the ball and played a weighted through-ball, but Rich’s shot was saved well, and the second came when Rich’s mazy run and shot ended with the ball deflecting off a sliding defender onto the post with the keeper beaten. As the half drew to a close the only particular worry was a penalty shout for Notts Athletic as they claimed handball against Toobs; Brett’s arms were by his side and he did try and head it, but it clipped his arm - it would have been a very harsh penalty, and the ref from his angle on the edge of the box could not have seen it! Thankfully our dutiful linesman SuBo didn’t flag it either (although he was tempted!)
In the second half Notts Athletic had the downhill advantage, and Boots were always going to have to defend strongly. However, the task was aided by a quick second goal just after the break; Hawrylak’s throw from the right was initially headed on by Deano, and then flicked backwards by Bally (a half-time substitute for Pete) into the path of Crozier, who was sneaking in from the left to volley into the net from about 5 yards!
Notts Athletic huffed and puffed for a way back into the game, but the back four remained extremely strong, Dan and Brett showing a great partnership in the middle and Horlicks and Matt on the right and left both tackling and staying strong. The opposition continued to berate the Ref and their forward was finally booked for almost squaring up to the ref when claiming that Licks had pulled his shirt. When they did break through Frumpy was on form to pull off a number of great saves; one a diving save following a header and then two from long range free kicks that he tipped over the bar.
Patto replaced Ian up front and the game got stretched as we entered the final 20 minutes. Boots grabbed a third when Patto was played in down the right by Bally, and although Patto’s curling cross was heading towards Luke and Crozier at the back post, it was diverted into the net by a centre back’s outstretched leg for a quality own goal! Simon and Griffin replaced Rich H and Crozier in midfield, and continued to press hard as Athletic tried to grab a consolation but were frequently stopped before they could get close to Frumpy’s area. The fourth goal for Boots was a well-worked team move as Griffin headed Matt’s left wing throw into the path of Sicky, and he shimmied his way beyond two defenders before sliding the ball to Bally on the right who finished under the keeper with an assured low shot.
Overall it was a great performance; the defenders and keeper played really well and got a deserved clean sheet, the midfield provided the running and linked the play, and the attack held the ball up well and created chances which the team finished off. Pete was impressed with the effort and attitude of the entire squad, who all played their part and made sure of victory. The opposition and Pete awarded Man of the Match to Rich H for an energetic performance in the centre, beginning several attacks and battling well with Sicky in the centre.
With a large committed squad now battling for starting places, Boots appear to be looking healthier and hungrier! Bring on next Sunday (if we avoid the big freeze...!)
