Boldmere St. Michaels 3-1 Walsall Wood
The Mikes Reserves completed the group phase of the Challenge Bowl with a 3-1 victory over Walsall Wood, maintaining their perfect record in the competition to win Group A.
The win moves them into a two-legged semi-final, and also maintains their 100% home record in all competitions.
The Mikes side had a slightly unfamiliar look with a number of changes to the starting line up. Things were further disrupted as unfortunate skipper Jack Brown limped off after five minutes with groin injury, sustained in the first minute of the game when he slipped in the firm surface, which has become greasy following drizzle just before kick off. Richard Dunleavy took over the captain’s armband.
After a scrappy opening, which was, disrupted somewhat by the strong wind, the Mikes began to assert their authority. Lyndon Weller was prominent in their attacking moves, delivering a number of crosses from the right flank. However, the opening goal came down the left flank. Danny Jones’ excellent run created space in the inside left channel. Early substitute Will Hutt slotted an excellent ball down the channel to Adam Morton. Visiting keeper Gavin Ellis raced from goal and rashly clattered through Morton. Although he took both man and ball, a penalty was the only outcome.
After some delay, Lyndon Weller coolly slotted home into the bottom corner.
The visitors came into the game more before half time, but Mikes keeper Lewis Fenney was only called into serious action once, tipping over a well flighted free kick from wide on the Walsall Wood left to keep the lead intact at the break.
The Mikes came out for the second half with renewed purpose and a second goal looked likely. It duly arrived courtesy of new Darrell Francis. He broke through a late tackle 30 yards from goal. The referee played an excellent advantage, allowing Francis to advance forward and drive home a lovely left footed shot into the roof of the net from 25 yards.
The Mikes looked fairly comfortable, but Wood reduced the arrears with a goal from a corner. The ball was flighted to the far post. Dunleavy looked to be held, but no foul was given, and the loose ball was bundled home from close range by former Mikes player Adam Whitehead.
Wood sensed a way back into the game, and made attacking substitutions. They pumped balls into the Mikes area, but failed to fashion anything worthwhile in the way of chances.
Indeed, it was the Mikes who made the game safe thanks to two substitutes. Jon Wylde turned sharply to leave his man for dead on the right flank, before clipping in a delightful ball across the six-yard box for Will Hutt to flick the ball home.
Boldmere Reserves:
1. Lewis Fenney; 2. Jamel Wilson; 3. Jack Brown; 4; Sam Woodall; 5. Richard Dunleavy; 6. Ceiran McLean; 7. Lyndon Weller; 8. Darrell Francis; 9. Adam Morton; 10 Tom Law; 11. Danny Jones.
Subs: 12. Will Hutt (for Brown 5min); 14. James Walker (for Morton 60min); 15. Jon Wylde (for McLean 60min); GK. Rob Clarke (not used).
Scorers: Lyndon Weller (pen), Darrell Francis, Will Hutt.
Next Reserve Fixture:
Saturday 17th October – Midland Combination Reserve Division – HOME v Barwell (3:00pm)
