Barwell 1-1 Boldmere St. Michaels
The Mikes returned from Leicestershire with a hard earned point, but will be unable to escape the feeling that it should have been all three.
With Barwell starting the day ahead of the Mikes in second place, the last thing the visitors wanted was to concede an early goal. However, they did find themselves behind after 3 minutes.
Returning skipper Tom Stevenson tussled with home striker Adam Cunnington. Both players had hold of each other's shorts, but the Mikes captain's indiscretion was the one spotted by the referee as Cunnington went to ground somewhat easily.
Former Mikes' striker Kev Charley colly despatched the spot kick, sending Adam Jenkins the wrong way.
Barwell were in the ascendancy, and the Mikes were fully stretched to stay with their hosts. A couple of half chances came and went, before Jamie Towers missed a glorious opportunity to extend the lead. Cunnington and Charley worked the ball to him at the far post, but Mikes stopper Jenkins reacted smartly to block for a corner.
This proved to be a turning point, as the Mikes were much the better side for the closing 15 minutes of the first half as their midfield got a grip on the game, the home defence looking stretched as they defended their lead.
Osborne had a seemingly goalbound shot blocked by team mate Ricky Baker, then Baker ghosted in at the far post, but volleyed well over after bringing the ball down superbly.
The home side seemed relieved to hear the half time whistle as the Mikes continued to press.
The second period started in much the same fashion. After being rocked back by the early goal, the Mikes now clearly believed that hat there was something to be taken from the game.
Playing much better football up the slope, the Mikes enjoyed the lion's share of attacking play, but the home defence was standing firm.
Tom Stevenson missed a chance to equalise when he got the meerest flick on a wicked Kirk Smith free kick, home keeper Liam Castle riding his lick as the ball richoched between his ankles. Ricky Baker was flagged offside as he closed in for a rebound.
The home side's attacks were becoming more sporadic, as the Mikes chased and harried all over the pitch, impressively denying space to their hosts. Once possession was secured, their own attacks carried a greater cutting edge.
Osborne was flagged offside in a marginal decision when he went on to finish, and Baker was denied, as Castle's good fortune continued. Baker attempted to round the keeper, the ball squirmed from the keeper's grasp but bounced off Baker's knee for a goal kick.
Another testing free kick delivery was spilled by the keeper under immense pressure, but Osborne was crowded out as he tried to get a shot away.
As the Mikes chased the game, the home side carried an increased threat on the break, but they were unable to convert a couple of decent situations into clear chances.
Just as it looked like it might be one of those days, the Mikes were handed a lifeline after 80 minutes. Kirk Smith turned sharply on a loose ball on the edge of the box. Former Mikes loanee Liam McDonald was already committed to the challenge and took Smith's standing leg away. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Stuart McNaught stepped up to take the kick. Castle guessed correctly, but the kick was perfectly placed in the corner to ensure the Mikes levelled matters.
The visitors sensed blood and went all out for the win, but were indebted to a superb piece of defending at the other end to keep parity. Andy Ducros floated in a lovely cross towards Cunnington. The big striker looked set to head home from 8 yards, but Matt Jackson was covering from full back and superbly got up to clear the danger.
Moments later, another excellent Ducros delivery was nicked away at full stretch by Aaron Hamilton as Cunnington again looked set to pounce.
Play swung back to the other end, and the Mikes were left to rue a glorious chance to take the points home in stoppage time. Adam Swain swung an excellent ball to the far post. Lee Osborne had peeled away to the far post, but directed his diving header across Castle and beyond the post.
Manager Rob Mallaband was delighted with his team's performance, where everybody contributed to the Mikes fully matching an excellent Barwell side.
Barwell could have put the game beyond the Mikes in the first 20 minutes, but from then on, it was the visitors asking most of the questions.
The Mikes will look to take this level of performance into Tuesday night, where they face another Leicester side Oadby Town, this time on home soil.
Boldmere: Adam Jenkins; Adam Swain; Matt Jackson; Aaron Hamilton; Tom Stevenson; Anthony Juxon; Kirk Smith; Stuart McNaught; Jason Holmes; Lee Osborne; Ricky Baker.
Subs: Danny Dubidat; Rob Clarke; Stuart Grosvenor; Lyndon Weller; Adam Wood.
