Match Report by Crozer:
In near-Arctic conditions a brave Boots 12 overcame Notts Medics B to end the season with back-to-back victories! After the pitch inspection was passed (despite Phil’s best efforts) Boots lined up with Phil in goal, a back four of (left to right) Croz, Brett, SuBo and Rowan, a midfield of (left to right) Griff, Sicky, Simon, Bally and Ian, and Luke up front (Ian may have been instructed to make a midfield five but I never saw him there!)
Despite the conditions Boots played some of the best passing moves of the season, the defence and midfield keeping the ball and trying to involve the front two with balls to feet, as opposed to long balls for them to chase. When out of possession the team was also battling, everyone was enjoying the conditions and sliding tackles were happening all over the pitch!
That said chances were at a premium until Ian was played through by Rowan, and from a tight angle smashed the ball into the net, leaving the opposition keeper no chance. Rumours from the sideline (Horlicks) said it was a cross which Ian fervently denies. My own opinion was that Ian had no support and decided to blast it and hope for the best, and it paid off in great fashion! The opposition had a few half-chances which Phil G comfortably dealt with, in fact the most dramatic save of the half came from a SuBo header that Phil needed to push round the post!
In the second half the game became stretched, Medics pushing on and Boots having opportunities to catch them on the break, although the second all-important goal took a while coming and actually came from a corner. After giving strict instructions for Brett not to move, SuBo met a superbly flighted corner by Crozier (if I say so myself) and it skidded off the turf and into the net.
The game continued in a similar vein, and both Simon and Sicky had chances on the break- Sicky hitting the woodwork twice. Frumpy came on for Griff on the left to see the game out but the Medics were not toothless in attack, putting Boots under pressure that the defence and Phil had to cope with. Eventually this pressure told and they got one back with the striker finishing a cross from close distance. However, we closed the game out to ensure we went to the pub happy to end the season on a win.
NB- If I have missed anything else out, apologises but I almost died from the cold and the second half saw me either shivering and whimpering at the back or running around like a manic to keep warm! I can’t remember much else!
NB 2- Special mention must go to Frumpy and Chris for being linesmen and watching in awful conditions, although it also should be said Horlicks chickened out of actually playing and came in a full waterproof outfit including waterproof trousers!
