Boots produced a battling performance against Notts Athletic on a bobbly pitch to secure back-to-back victories (and clean sheets) in the league for the first time this season. In truth, Boots have played much better this season without getting 3 points, but will take this nonetheless!
Pete kept faith with the majority of the team that put 4 past Notts last week, making only two changes as Justin and Adam came in for the absent Sicky and managing Pete. There was little to separate the sides in the early exchanges, both teams struggling to get the ball down and play, keeping chances to a minimum. Adam had the best of the early chances with two driving runs into the box, but he was unable to apply the finish. At the other end the defence were standing up to the challenge well, Brett in particular taking a crunching blow to his nose that everyone heard around the ground!
After Ian had sliced one effort wide, with around 20 minutes gone Boots created their best opening so far; a cross from Adam on the right found Crozier in space at the back post, but he volleyed over from close range! However, he made amends shortly after when a good passage of passing between Justin and Adam saw Deano lash a deep right wing cross towards the back post. As the keeper misjudged the flight of the ball, Crozier arrived and planted a composed header into the net (to the surprise of all, including himself!)
In the second half Notts came out fighting and saw the majority of the ball, and the Boots defence and Frumpy had to be on their guard to keep them at bay. Athletic’s best chance came from a corner that was cleared off the line initially by Crozier (obviously learning not what to do from the Man City vs. Newcastle game) and then Frumpy leaping across to clear the rebound. Pete used his allotted subs to bring on Bally, Patto, Griffin, Will and Si to offer fresh legs, and this running provided opportunities; one when Patto looped a pass into the path of Luke who found himself one-on-one with keeper, but he dragged his hurried shot wide, and the best chance of the half when Bally fed Patto into space on the right, and he took the time to produce a cross into the front post which Rich just couldn’t finish.
It was one of those games that if we had scored a second we would have gone on to score more as their heads would’ve dropped and space would’ve opened up. However, as it was just a one goal margin it was always close and nervous, but arguably this allowed Boots to show more spirit and resolve!
The defence again deserve credit for the second clean sheet in a row (see below), which built the platform for another victory, while Pete awarded the Man of the Match Award to Crozier for an energetic performance on the wing, linking up well with the central midfielders and strikers. Bring on 2013!
