Barwell 2 - 3 Boldmere St. Michaels Reserves
The Mikes Reserves maintained their 100% record in the Challenge Bowl as they sneaked an away victory at Barwell, following a somewhat mixed performance.
In blazing sunshine, the Mikes set off kicking down the slope at Kirkby Road. Barwell set up in familiar solid fashion, happy to let the Mikes have possession in areas that would not cause problems.
The home side was on top throughout the half in terms of territorial advantage, but without fashioning much in the way of clearout chances. Their best chance of the half was clinically despatched following an excellent flowing move.
The Mikes showed flashes of their attacking prowess, with Johaine Thompson flashing an early 20-yarder past the post. Cam Fowler’s goalbound left foot volley was blocked, then Thompson was then unable to make enough contact when Jack Brown fizzed the ball across the face of goal following a marauding run to the bye-line. This proved to be the last chance of the half.
The Mikes produced a positive response to a half time roasting from Mick Hawkins and Rob Clarke. They took a grip of the contest from the restart and it looked a case of when, rather than if they would equalise.
Richard Dunleavy met an inswinging Jon Rutter corner to direct a close range header home, but the referee spotted an infringement and awarded the home side a free kick. The reprieve was short-lived however.
Cam Fowler was the architect of the equaliser, driving through midfield before taking aim from 25 yards and driving a shot goalwards. With the keeper scrambling across goal, Johaine Thompson diverted the ball into the opposite corner of the net. Although there was a slice of fortune about the finish, that’s what happens when your are on a good run of form.
The Mikes were rocked on their heels when the home side produced an almost instant response. From a Mikes corner, Barwell broke at pace. The covering Ceiran McLean made an excellent tackle, but this time it was the home side who received the fortunate bounce. The ball fell perfectly for the striker to advance before planting a firm strike into the top corner, despite debutant keeper Lewis Fenney getting a hand to the ball.
Undaunted, the Mikes continued to play positively. Dunleavy met another Rutter corner from six yards, but his header thudded against the bar and was cleared to safety.
The Mikes responded by making three substitutions midway through the half, changing their formation in an effort to get back on terms. The ploy seemed to work, as they were quickly level again. Johaine Thompson read a defender’s back header and was too quick for the keeper, expertly guiding the ball home from just inside the box.
Minutes later it was three. Jorma Seabourne slotted in fellow substitute Phil Allen down the left flank. The home supporters’ appeals for offside were in vain, as Allen raced clear and looked to feed strike partner Thompson. Allen’s square ball was slightly behind Thompson, but he rolled his man before toe-poking a superb early shot from 20 yards, which totally surprised the home keeper and beat him low to his right, completing the striker’s hat trick. T
he Mikes were not safe just yet though, and had to withstand a late rally from the home side. They were indebted to youth team keeper Lewis Fenney, who capped a solid debut with a wonder save in the last few minutes.
Fenney missed an inswinging corner, but was rescued by Dunleavy, who headed clear to the edge of the box. The ball dropped to the home side’s chief playmaker, who unleashed a superb volley through the crowd of bodies and towards the corner of the net. With the home side starting to celebrate, Fenney flung himself full length to his right, brilliantly palming the ball away to safety.
This proved to be the last threat to the Mikes goal, as they registered their fourth straight win in the competition.
Boldmere Reserves:
1. Lewis Fenney; 2. Lyndon Weller; 3. Jon Rutter; 4; Jack Stone; 5. Richard Dunleavy; 6. Ceiran McLean; 7. Simon Volante; 8. Cam Fowler; 9. Johaine Thompson; 10 Andre Gonzales; 11. Jack Brown.
Subs:
12. Phil Allen (for Volante 68min); 14. Jorma Seabourne (for Gonzales 68min); 15. Peter Gould (for Stone 68min); GK. Rob Clarke (not used).
Scorers: Johaine Thompson (3).
Next Reserve Fixture:
Saturday 26th September – Midland Combination Reserve Division – HOME v Highgate United (3:00pm)
