Boreham came in to this encounter on the back of two straight league wins against lower table opposition. The previous two performances were not great so they knew they would have to up their game for the visit of unbeaten in the league outfit Focus Ferrers.
The squad was 13 strong with the two on the bench of Jay Dale and Ince unlucky not to be in the starting XI. Stammers, De Vito and goalkeeper McGylnn were all missing along with injury absentees Powell and Bigland. Fortunately for Boreham they welcomed a couple of Toms, both Dosser and Worthington coming straight in to the starting line up to earn the second caps of the season. Adam Dale took the gloves with the rest of the team unchanged from the win two weeks previously.
The pitch is now beginning to resemble a marsh with muddy patches and bobbles all over so it was always going to be tough for either team to play much passing football. This game was always going to be about pressuring the opposition into mistakes with high tempo football. The first half was limited to few goal scoring opportunities and not much attacking action. Both teams had a few corners but rarely was either keeper troubled. It was however Boreham who deservedly broke the deadlock on the half hour mark. Rush was upended 25 yards out from goal, the inform Rush got up to take the free kick himself and hit a nice effort over the wall and beyond the keeper at his near post, a nice finish and a 1-0 lead for Boreham at the break. A second goal in as many games for Rushy and his 3rd of the season, all of which have come from outside of the box.
One change at the break for Boreham saw Smith replaced by Jay Dale on the left wing. Boreham continued to push for a second in this scrappy affair but the pattern of the second half was similar to the first. Although the home side continued to maintain a slight advantage over the Ferrers in terms of chances and possession, goal mouth action was still at a premium. Gooders and Rushy were being dominant in the middle and the defence were looking solid.
Another tactical change 10 minutes into the half saw Ince come on for Carter on the right wing but it was midway through the half when Boreham doubled their advantage. A monster kick out from Adam Dale in goal found its way to Dosser upfront who managed to control well before skipping a couple of challenging in the box. No one saw what was to come next as with the keeper advancing, the new Boreham frontman attempted an audacious chip from just inside the box. The hapless keeper attempted to claw the ball away only for it to sail beyond him into the net. A fine finish from the former Harold Hill man.
This goal looked to have clinched the tie and kill off Focus Ferrers efforts of getting anything out of the game but to the visitors credit they continued to push. They got their rewards 15 minutes from time when a well delivered cross was headed into the top corner from 12 yards out, a decent header which left Dale in goal no chance.
Boreham held on for another well deserved 3 points and with it inflicting Ferrers first league defeat of the season. Boreham now sit comfortably in the top half with plenty of games in hand on the teams around them.
Next week sees Boreham travel to Brendans, giving the hallow turf of the Rec a much needed break. The management will look to implement a bit of a rotation policy with the likelihood of 15/16 players being available there will be some decent players having to make do with the bench. Another 3 points will be the order of the day as Boreham look continue their fine form and get themselves in the mood for the annual Christmas drink up in Colchester which follows that night.
