A slow starting Boots were duly punished by West Bridgford Albion at the Siemens Ground on Wednesday evening and despite a committed, composed and confident final hour from the reds the damage done in the first half hour could not be fixed.
Boots were caught napping with only a couple of minutes on the clock as Bridgford's sole striker found space between the centre-backs and latched on to a simple through-ball to slide a finish under Simon F and into the net. A few minutes later good work down the left from Bridgford led to a dangerous cross which the unfortunate Olly deflected in, and Boots were 2-0 down without having had a sniff. However, Boots almost found a way back into the game shortly after from a Simon F goal kick as Chibbert pounced on some hesitant Bridgford defending; alas he couldn't make the most of it and his deft finish went just wide. Boots began to get into the game a little more, and midway through the half a loose ball pumped into the area gave Patto a half-volleyed chance which flew over the Bridgford bar. Bridgford were still dangerous on the break, and had a Crozier own goal chalked off for offside before adding a third on 35 minutes. Boots failed to clear a corner and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble Neil (replacing Simon in goal) couldn't quite stop the ball from crossing the line, despite making a great initial save from near point blank range. The last ten minutes of the half saw Boots finally assert themselves and begin knocking the ball about and retaining possession. Bally had a half chance from distance and with the last action of the half a well worked free-kick from the returning Pete allowed Patto a chance to halve the deficit, but his glancing header was caught by a grateful Bridgford keeper.
The second half began as the first had ended, with Boots keeping their shape and composure when in possession, but with Bridgford still looking dangerous. Eventually the tide began to turn a little and Griff did well down the right to win the ball (with a foul) and have a crack from outside the box which the Bridgford keeper tipped over the bar. Danny showed some great touches and debutant Ash was keen to run and hassle for the ball, and after 15 minutes Boots got their breakthrough, as good work down the right allowed Chibbert to pull back to Man of the Match Phil Parrot on the edge of the area, who finished well to complete an assured debut. Boots created a few other half chances including Pete smashing a Di Canio-esque volley wide from outside the box, but equally Bridgford carved a few chances of their own with Neil having to save well at one point (from Pete’s backwards header), and a goal line clearance from Crozier keeping the score at 3-1. Boots were denied a goal after some good midfield work ended up with Danny being played in to dink the ball over the keeper only for the linesman flag to harshly rule the strike offside. Perhaps against the run of play Boots went further behind when a well worked counter-attack ended up with a headed goal from a Bridgford midfielder which Phil G (replacing Neil in goal) could do nothing about. With tiredness setting in, Boots lost a little shape but continued to compete well and press, but never seemed to get the run of the ball in the final third (though it should be said that the Bridgford defence were well organised for the most part) and the remainder of the game passed without further score.
Overall it was a case of the scoreline not telling the whole story, and with a better start and more fortune in and around goal this would have been a really close game. As it was there were plenty of positives to take from the game - for the most part we kept our shape and our fitness was excellent as demonstrated by the way Bridgford were limited to a few counter-attacks in the second half. With the exception of the first five minutes the defence coped admirably with a striker who was a bit of a handful, but those first few minutes really showed that need to be on our game from the first whistle or we'll make things very difficult for ourselves. For the vast majority of the game though we held our own against a team in our new league and this should give us confidence going into the next friendly.
