Boreham’s five game winning streak came to a crashing end after a well organised Silver End Reserves side triumphed 4-2 over Boreham at the Rec. Ironically, Boreham had what seemed to be the strongest squad they have had available all season with 15 fit and up for the game. The management shuffled around the squad meaning co-gaffers Gooders and Smith left themselves out. Ed Dosser and Rush joined them in a four man strong bench.
The starting XI took the shape of Magsy returning in goal, with the same back four as the previous week. Adam Dale joined Charter in centre midfield with Carter wide right and Jay Dale wide left. Tom Dosser was joined upfront by the return of Cowcher.
Once again the playing surface was not ideal but the ref gave the game the go ahead with all involved just having to accept it would be a ‘muddy’ affair! Understandably neither team was able to play much in the way of flowing football and as a result chances were few and far between. However, on 9 minutes Boreham broke the deadlock. Charter won the ball in midfield before passing to Dosser. Charter continued his run forward and was put through by Tom, the full back couldn’t keep up with Boreham midfield man whose run towards goal culminated in a bit of a scuffed shot which squirmed under the keeper before trickling towards the empty net. Cowcher was ahead of the defender, so to be sure smashed the ball home from a yard out to claim the goal. Credit goes to Charter who at least gets credited with the assist!
Silver End carved out a few decent chances as the half went on, all of which Magsy was equal to. But just before half time a freak goal put the visitor’s level. A tame effort from outside the box looped towards Magsy and appeared to take a crazy bounce and ended up eluding the Boreham stopper before rolling into the net. Unlucky for Magsy who had looked extremely assured up until then. The half time whistle blew with the team’s level at 1-1
Boreham made two tactical changes for the second half, Ed Dosser replaced Cowcher up top and Rush came on for Carter in Midfield. Silver End did probably look slightly the better side in the first half so Boreham knew they had their work cut out in the second. The introduction of Ed upfront seemed to cause the visitors problems though as he linked up well with brother Tom well on a couple of occasions only to see his efforts saved. However about 10 minutes into the second half a crazy 15 minute spell saw the visitors score three times. They went 2-1 up following another defensive mistake, Boreham failed to clear their lines as Silver End pounced to take the lead. A shot from inside the box which hit the bar before bouncing out into play was judged to have crossed the line by the eagle eyed ref to make it 3-1. During the passage of play leading to this goal, Simo picked up a knock so was replaced by Smith with just over 20 minutes to go. Silver End scored again shortly after, this time a well worked goal and nice finish to make it 4-1.
Boreham continued to push in hope of getting something from the game. Tom Dosser had a couple of chances which he normally would score but both times was thwarted by the Silver End keeper. With just over 10 minutes to play Boreham got one back. Smith picked up the ball in the middle of the park and directed a through ball towards T. Dosser. With the keeper advancing, Tom chipped it over him and ran on to slot the ball home. It was too little too late for the home side as they were unable to carve out any more chances and the final whistle blew to signal a 2-4 home defeat for a below par Boreham. The result perhaps a fair one as the Silver End men seemed more up for the game.
A disappointing result in a game they would have expected to win but other results went Boreham’s way as some of their title rivals also dropped points so all is not lost. Big game next week sees Boreham visit CT 66. Having already suffered two heavy home defeats at the hands of the Canvey men, Boreham will be looking to avenge those results and get their title challenge back on course.
