Boreham began 2013 with what looked like being a tricky encounter in the Dave Strachan Cup last 16 against Flitch Utd who have began life in Division Two extremely well. The tie was scheduled to be at home but due to an unplayable pitch, The Stebbing based outfit agreed to host following their pitch passing an early morning inspection. Team news throughout the week was very encouraging for gaffers Goodchild and Smith with a host of players confirming their availability. In the end, late pull outs of Rush and Cowcher through illness meant 14 were due to make the trip. That soon became 13 following pacey wingers Darran Ince’s inability to drag himself out of bed following a heavy night. Other notable abscentees were Magsy (working) and Stammers (holiday). A final team news twist occurred on route to the ground as Dosser brothers Tom and Ed were held up at a petrol station which meant the inform due would only arrive 15 minutes after kick off. This left a bare 11 and a team which picked itself, still looking very strong. Adam Dale took the gloves behind a back four of Parsons, Simpson, Worthington and Powell. Charter partnered Goodchild in the middle, with Carter wide right and Smith wide left, leaving Jay Dale and Ryan Ince upfront. The game started well for Boreham as for the second game running they found themselves a goal up inside the first minute. A far cry from the previous games calamitous opener, this goal was a great team move started by Gooders laying off a cushioned pass to Smith who found Ince in space on the left, Ince pulled back to Dale who hit a peach of a cross to the back stick where Carter was on hand to header into the corner past the keeper. 1-0 to Boreham and they couldn’t of hoped for a better start. The conditions played a part as neither team could find much fluency on the boggy pitch. Boreham were dealing with the conditions far better though and were pressing with alot more intensity when without the ball, forcing their opponents into errors. It was in fact a goalkeeping error that lead to Boreham’s second, a scuffed clearance looped up towards Ince who’s cushioned header released Jay Dale inside the box, he took a touch and drove the ball home from 15 yards. A cool finish from the Boreham youngster. Boreham were limiting Flitch to scraps as the back four all had solid games and Adam in goal never looked like getting beaten. Massive credit goes to Dale in goal as his monster drop kicks and goal kicks meant Boreham were never on the back foot which would ultimately frustrate the Flitch men. The half time whistle blew with Boreham well deserving their 2-0 interval lead. Despite the Dossers brothers changed and ready for action, Boreham remained unchanged for the start of the second half. Boerham picked up where they left off. Gooders and Charter controlling the middle of the park and frustrating the Flitch midfield men with their tough tackling and constant pressure. Ten minutes into the half a change was made to introduce Boerham’s trump card – 5 goals in 3 games strike man Tom Dosser who replaced Carter. T.Dosser took his place upfront with J.Dale taking up the right wing position. Still chances were at a bit of a premium for both sides although Flitch did pose a bit more of a threat as it was them who had to chase the game. They forced a few corners which were dealt with well by Boerham. One chance of note for Flitch saw A.Dale save well, down low to his left hand side. Another change for Boreham 15 minutes into the half saw Ed Dosser come on for Smith. Ed joined his brother upfront with R.Ince switching to right wing and J.Dale to the left. Ed had an almost immediate impact on the game as his slide rule pass on 70 minutes was weighted to perfection into his brother’s path, the keeper seemed to be stuck to his line which meant only one outcome – a trademark finish from T.Dosser right footed into the corner of the goal. A nice goal and ultimately the clincher as T.Dosser took his tally to 6 for the season. A few minutes later it was Ed’s turn to have a chance on goal, this time the keeper did come out and Ed’s sliding tackle on the Flitch stickman looked to be a fair one, leaving a empty goal for him to smash home, but the ref blew for a foul. TV replays show that this decision seemed a harsh one but with Boreham already 3-0 to the good it wouldn’t prove costly. The last 15 minutes did see Flitch carve out a couple of chances which A.Dale was equal to, first an excellent tip over the bar, from a 30 yard effort, even though it was A.Dale’s poor clearance that lead to the chance. Then, inside the last 10 minutes the young stand in lino spotted a trip in the box and awarded a penalty. Given the game Adam was having, he and his teammates were confident he would not be beaten and sure enough he saved well, tipping over the bar to preserve his clean sheet. The final whistle blew and it was a very good performance from all involved and a well deserved victory. Hutton now await in the Quarter Finals, a game scheduled for 2nd or 9th of March at the Rec. Next up for Boreham sees Silver End Utd Res’s visit the Rec on 12th Jan as Gooders and Smith look to extend this winning run which now stretches to 5 games since the last time they didn’t win back in November. With some good players due back, there could be 16/17 people vying for the 11 starting places and 3 spots on the bench... Great times for Boreham FC!
