Boots continued their recent revival with a strong performance and comprehensive win over West Bridgford Albion. From the first whistle Boots were first into challenges and keen to have the ball, with the Albion defence struggling to contain the movement of Rowan and Ian up front and Simon and Sicky snapping at the heels of every player in possession. An excellent build-up of simple passes down the right between Pete, Sicky and Rowan allowed Ian the first meaningful shot on goal from the edge of the area, but the ball looped onto the bar. Boots continued to press, and finally broke the deadlock when Crozier’s throw from the left was knocked on by Rowan at the near post, and Sicky Pidsley was on hand to pass the loose ball into the empty net from 5 yards. Rowan turned provider again when he linked up well with Danny on the left, and they played Ian Dean through on goal, who outmuscled his marker and scuffed a left-footed pea-roller past the onrushing keeper and into the far corner. With Boots dominating possession and Fletch, Patto, Hawrylak and Crozier standing firm against the Albion attacks, there was time for one more blow as Vice Captain Pete sent a wonderful first-time cross into the area from the right wing, and Ian nodded the ball beyond the fingertips of the despairing keeper. Just before half-time a slightly groggy Phil finally had something to do when an Albion throw wasn’t properly cleared and their big striker sent a low half-volley towards the bottom left corner, but Phil got down well to tip it around the post.
As the pitch began to cut up, the second half was a much more even affair as the play became scrappy, stretched and a little heated! Griffin replaced Danny on the wing and produced a memorable dive as he was caught late by a defender, soaring metres into the air and landing spread eagle in the mud, and Boots continued to find Pete and Rowan in space on the right. After a one-two with Rowan on the right, Sicky Two Pops capped a memorable Man of the Match performance with his second goal, waltzing into the area and smashing a fantastic shot across the keeper into the far corner. Coach Brett sent on SuBo and Dave Eite from the bench to offer fresher legs in midfield, but to their credit West Bridgford didn’t give up and Phil was required to repel several free-kicks and tip a goal-bound header onto the bar, while Hawrylak was shown a yellow card for a hilariously cynical hack on the edge of the area as their striker bore down on goal. Albion finally grabbed a consolation with a near-post header from a corner, and also missed other half-chances as they started to exploit the tired legs in the Boots defence, but Boots continued to clear their lines, with Fletch winning almost every header against their big target man to cap a commanding performance. Boots could and should have extended their own lead had crosses and shots been more accurate; Ian, Simon, Griff and Pete all shot straight at the keeper while Sicky Gooseberry memorably missed out on a hat-trick as his shot took a massive bobble. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic result and a great team performance, and really showed the benefits that simple passing and improved fitness can offer.
Simon’s Comments: “I thought it was a very impressive performance from all on Sunday. When we played simple football, we carved them apart. I thought that we all played for each other. I think the fitness work and training we’re doing on a Thursday are showing in the games. The only downside for me was that we probably should have won by more, but overall lots of positives and well done to everyone who played. It’s making picking team and a squad harder and harder. “
