Boldmere St. Michaels Res 3-2 Heather St John
Mikes Reserves 3 v 2 Heather St John’s Reserves The Mikes Reserves maintained their 100% home record in all competitions, beating Heather St John’s 3-2 in the Midland Combination Reserve League.
The late summer sun returned to the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground as the Mikes served up some lovely football to match the quality of the weather.
There were fewer changes to the line up than in recent weeks, and this certainly helped the Mikes to demonstrate more cohesion from the outset and start firmly in the ascendancy. Gonzales and Weller were the tormentors in chief, causing the visiting defence all sorts of problems.
Precious little was being seen of Heather as an attacking force, but they rocked the Mikes by taking the lead with their first meaningful foray forward. A superbly flighted right wing corner was firmly headed home.
Far from losing their momentum, the Mikes stormed back and responded in perfect fashion with an instant equaliser. Richard Dunleavy’s well-flighted through ball released Johaine Thompson in on goal. The Mikes leading scorer had too much pace and power for his opponent, before clinically despatching the chance to record his fifth goal in four games.
It was 2-1 before half time. Lyndon Weller was released through on goal in a similar position to Thompson’s equaliser. He lofted the ball over the advancing keeper into the corner of the net. Dunleavy had a great chance to add to the lead from Seabourne’s superb corner. Arriving unchallenged at the far post, Dunleavy met the delivery with a downward header from 5 yards out, but the ball agonisingly bounced up and over the bar.
Heather’s main threat was from set pieces, but the Mikes controlled possession to hold a relatively comfortable 2-1 lead at the interval. The Mikes picked up where they left off at the end of the first half, playing neat possession football to control the game, but seemingly unable to fashion the clear-cut chance that would surely kill the game.
For all the quality of their passing, the third goal arrived in true route one fashion. Sean Butler’s long goal kick released Weller through on goal. Heading the ball forward, he outpaced his marker before controlling a clinical low volley into the bottom corner.
The Mikes were now firing and looked like adding to their tally. Debutant Phil Allen, on for Thompson, had a great opportunity to kill the game. One on one with the keeper, Allen had more time than he realised and scuffed his shot allowing the keeper to save.
The Mikes continued to control possession in midfield, but the visitors were still keeping them honest on the break. Even in the dying minutes, the Mikes searched for more goals. They were caught out at the death. Dunleavy went to ground in the corner, which allowed the striker to cut in along the goal line before firing home through the legs of the helpless Butler.
There was potential for a nervous last few minutes and a possible late rally from the visitors, but this never really materialised as the Mikes ran down the clock with relative comfort.
Boldmere Reserves:
1. Sean Butler; 2. Lyndon Weller; 3. Jon Rutter; 4; Sam Simmonds; 5. Richard Dunleavy; 6. Ceiran McLean; 7. Simon Volante; 8. Matt Hawker; 9. Johaine Thompson; 10 Andre Gonzales; 11. Jorma Seabourne.
Subs: 12. Phil Allen (for Thompson 70min); 14. Peter Gould (not used); 15. Danny Jones (for Gonzales 70min); GK. Aaron Gayle (not used).
Scorers: Johaine Thompson, Lyndon Weller (2).
Next Reserve Fixture:
Saturday 19th September – MFC Reserve Challenge Bowl – AWAY v Barwell (3:00pm)
