Boots let their unbeaten start to 2011 slip with a disappointing result against Wollaton Pirates Reserves. In what was a very even first half, both teams struggled to make any clear-cut chances and Simon Frampton’s goal only came under threat from set pieces as he had to tip one corner away and saw another bounce off the cross-bar, while Brett produced a strong block to prevent their striker from slotting away their only one-on-one chance of the half. At the other end Boots struggled to play the ball to feet, although Patto was able to hold up the ball from throw-ins and set-up Simon and Pete for several shots from outside the area. SuBo, Fletch and Patto all saw headers go close from Crozier’s corners, while Patto also played in Bally down the right but his shot drifted narrowly wide. Boots finally opened the scoring a minute before half time when Pete’s corner from the left was punched back to him (off the line) and after having a small discussion with their linesman, Allaway sent a curling ball back into the box which evaded the keeper’s fingertips and bounced in off the far post.
Boots failed to keep hold of the ball at the start of the second half and after Bally had seen a shot saved on the line, Wollaton equalised with a route one goal that saw their striker finish well with his left peg. Sicky replaced Patto and Boots tried to stifle the midfield with players as they gradually saw more of the ball, but Bally was a little isolated up top and final passes were not incisive enough. Fletch conceded a penalty after tussling with their big striker and the spot kick was dispatched to give Wollaton the lead. Boots slowly worked their way back into the game, with Chibbert and Crozier combining well down the left to gift Pete a tap-in at the near post that was well blocked, before Wollaton extended their lead with a well-placed header from a corner (conceded after a good save from Simon). In the final 20 minutes, Boots saw around 90% of possession with Sicky pulling the strings, playing some good simple balls back and forth with Pete, SuBo and Hawrylick to control midfield, but could not convert the domination into clear-cut chances as tempers and frustrations rose. With Ash and Dave Eite coming on to offer a different option in attack, Boots finally scored a consolation when SuBo flicked on a Crozier throw and Pete’s goalbound volley was dropped by the keeper for Eite to prod home into the top bin. In the final seconds Sicky saw a long range effort plucked from the sky by their keeper, before the clock finally ticked down and Boots had to submit to their first loss of 2011.
While Pete garnered some acclaim from the opposing team, it was Chris ‘Horlicks’ Hawrylak that picked up Man of the Match for yet another consistent and calm display at right-back, linking up well with defence and marshalling his men well.
