Mikes Reserves 2-1 Bromsgrove Rovers Reserves
Wednesday 03 March 2010
Midland Football Combination Reserve Division
The Mikes snatched a dramatic late victory at the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground as they finally saw off a battling Rovers side. It was no less than The Mikes deserved after dominating the contest, but their wastefulness in front of goal and a huge refereeing gaffe nearly cost them a victory.
The Mikes dominated possession throughout, but their final ball let them down in the first half and too often they delayed shooting opportunities and were crowded out. Rovers defended well, and their keeper weighed in with several good saves. The visitors looked dangerous on the break, but wasted a couple of half chances.
Half Time: The Mikes 0-0 Bromsgrove Rovers
The Mikes continued to dominate possession after the break, but noticeably increased their tempo. Simeon Tulloch was causing havoc down the right, with Ramarlo Barrett driving through midfield. Barrett tried three long-range shots in succession, the second of which brought a fine save from the keeper.
Tulloch was denied a decent penalty shout, but was not to be denied as his beleaguered marker brought him down again and this time the assistant referee signalled for penalty kick, which brought no complaint from the visitors.
Having just replaced nominated penalty taker Andre Gonzales, Jorma Seabourne stepped up to slot home his second penalty of the season with his first touch of the ball.
Tulloch fired wide when clean through, and the Mikes were made to pay. On a rare foray into Mikes territory, keeper Adam Jenkins could only divert a close range cross from the bye-line into his own net and the scores were level.
Tulloch continued to give his marker a torrid time and got to the bye-line again, squaring to Tom Law who had the goal at his mercy as the ball arrived no more than two yards out. Unbelievably the Mikes striker somehow hit the bar and the ball looped up into the arms of the grateful keeper.
The Mikes continued to pour forward in search of the winner. Top scorer Johaine Thompson came off the bench and his pace and power was causing problems for the visiting defence. He rolled his marker and diverted the ball past the keeper, but the ball trickled wide.
In the dying minutes, it looked like the Mikes chance had come. Simeon Tulloch ran on to a neat through ball and rounded the advancing keeper, who took both legs away as he rashly slid in. The referee, who was about twenty yards away, looked to his assistant who was twice as far away on the far side of the incident. With several visiting players holding their heads in their hands, the official inexplicably pointed for a goal kick.
This seemed to throw the Mikes, but they bravely kept going and were rewarded with the last attack of the game. Tom Law atoned for his earlier miss, playing a delightful ball inside the defender to release top scorer Johaine Thompson in on goal. With still some work to do, Thompson showed exactly why he’s averaging more than a goal a game, crashing home an unstoppable shot to secure the points.
Full Time: The Mikes 2-1 Bromsgrove Rovers
Boldmere Team:
1 Adam Jenkins; 2 Ramarlo Barrett; 3; Jack Brown; 4 Jack Stone; 5 Richard Dunleavy; 6 Ceiran McLean (Captain); 7 Simeon Tulloch; 8; Adam Swain 9; Tom Law; 10 Adam Morton; 11 Andre Gonzales.
Subs:
12 Cam Fowler (for Barrett 65min); 14 Jorma Seabourne (for Gonzales 60min); 15 Johaine Thompson (for Morton 65min); 16 Jamel Wilson (not used); GK Lewis Fenney (not used).
Scorers: Jorma Seabourne (pen), Johaine Thompson.
Next up:
Saturday 06 March 2010 – 3:00pm
Banbury United Reserves v The Mikes Reserves
Midland Football Combination Reserve Division
Next home game:
Wednesday 10 March 2010 – 7:15pm
Midland Combination Challenge Trophy Quarter-Final.
The Mikes Reserves v Oadby Town Reserves
Please note the earlier kick off time of 7:15pm
Related links: Post Match Reaction http://www.themikes.co.uk/BromsgroveReactionMar10.htm
