Boreham came in to this game again struggling for players but managed to scrape together a good starting XI for this tricky looking tie away to 4th placed Flitch Utd.
Smith (ankle), Powell (cricket) and Simpson (ill) were missing from the previous week’s victory but in came Catt, Chittock and Joughin.
The game started well for Boreham with less than 10 minutes on the clock a Worthington free kick from his own half was pumped forward toward the box only to deflect off a Flitch defender and into the top corner of the net! A rather fortuitous way to take the lead, but every goal is a good goal and all that!
This must have spurred Flitch on who thought they’d equalised minutes later, only for the offside flag to deny them. A similar move mid way through the first half did see Flitch draw level when the Striker poked his effort beyond Magsy for his team’s equaliser.
It was a very even half, with both teams creating good chances, Boreham best of note both fell to Long who hit respective efforts over and wide where the Boreham frontman would have hoped to have done better. Half time whistle blew, 1-1.
With captain Parsons needed to leave the game at half time for a prior engagement and stand in centre back Catty forced to come off with an ankle injury things were not looking good for the men in yellow and green. No available subs meant that Parsons showed his commitment to the cause and stayed on for the second half. Still a man down following the departure of Catt, Boreham reshuffled leaving just Long upfront on his own for the second half.
Although you would be forgiven for thinking it was going to be backs against the wall stuff for Boreham given their numerical disadvantage, Boreham still managed to carve out chances and were a decent match for Flitch. Although no more goals in the game, Magsy was in top form to deny at least 3 or 4 good efforts, keeping his side in it. Boreham themselves had chances to win it. Dale, who always looked a threat on the ball, had a few close efforts but perhaps the best chance for Boreham was from Joughin. On his return to the Saturday side and his first appearance of the season, Joughin rolled back the years showing he still has that ‘strikers instinct’ of finding space in the box. A Dale corner was curled into the mixer, when Joughin evaded his marker and directed a firm header past the keeper only to see the defender on the post scramble it away. Amazingly the clearance again fell to Joughin whose reaction stab again found a man on the line to deny him. Very unfortunate not to score.
As the final minutes closed in, the game looked like heading for a draw with both teams happy with a point, especially Boreham with the 10 men in the second half.
Full time whistle blew, 1-1, a decent performance and well earned point for Boreham. Other results on the day left Boreham staying in 6th place with now the lowest they can finish being 7th. A three way battle with Sandon, Stag’s Head and Boreham lies in wait for 5th place and with it a potential promotion depending on how the league re-shuffles and how many teams from leagues above withdraw for the following season. Six points definitely needed from this Saturday’s double header against 3rd bottom Manford Way if Boreham are to mount a serious challenge for the 5th place finish.
