Boldmere St. Michaels 2-1 Alvechurch
Boldmere got back to winning ways with a hard fought win over top six rivals Alvechurch. Returning to home action for the first time since mid-January, this was The Mikes ninth home league win on the spin.
The Mikes started brightly, working the ball into good areas but the final ball let them down in the early stages. It came as no surprise when the Mikes took the lead on 15 minutes. With the Alvechurch defence at sixes and sevens, Ricky Baker coolly picked out Jason Holmes who swivelled and rifled a left-footed shot into the roof of the net from 8 yards.
The visitors enjoyed a sustained period of possession, without forcing Adam Jenkins into a save. The Mikes looked a constant threat on the break and it was no surprise when they increased their lead 10 minutes before the break. A lovely cross to the far post picked out Ricky Baker, who expertly brought the ball under control before volleying inside Chris Taylor’s near post.
The rest of the half was littered with fouls, with play broken up, as the visitors seemed more concerned with questioning every refereeing decision than reducing the deficit.
The Mikes control of the game continued after the break, with Alvechurch still unable to turn any possession into chances. The Mikes continued to threaten as they went in search of the killer third goal. They were denied what looked a cast-iron penalty when Ricky Baker was clattered late after he laid the ball off to Kirk Smith. The referee again waved away the frustrated home side’s penalty appeals two minutes later. Lyndon Weller beat his man to put over an inviting cross. Jason Holmes looked set to double his tally as he rose to head home, but was levered off the ball by the visitors’ captain Stuart Hamilton.
Incredibly, the Mikes had another appeal turned down in their next attack. Weller again beat his man and crossed from the right. The covering defender clearly blocked the cross with arms raised, but the perfectly placed *istant referee did not spot the infringement, which may have been just outside the box..
Moments later, Danny Dubidat rounded Taylor and tumbled under the challenge of the keeper. This was the least clear cut of the appeals, and the officials awarded a goal kick.
The Mikes sense of injustice was heightened when the visitors immediately halved the lead. Phil Green found space in the Mikes box before cutting inside to flash a left-footed strike past Jenkins for 2-1.
Alvechurch enjoyed the lion’s share of possession as the Mikes began to tire in what was their fourth game in eight days. Alvechurch were still unable to fashion any real clear cut chances, but there was some alarm in stoppage time when a free kick was awarded in a dangerous position 25 yards out. Green was unable to force the equaliser as his effort failed to extend Jenkins.
There was still time for Callum Gittings to see red, as the former Mikes player picking up a second yellow card for a frustrated swipe to bring down Matt Jackson.
Boldmere: Adam Jenkins; Adam Swain; Matt Jackson; Aaron Hamilton; Adam Wood; Kirk Smith; Lyndon Weller; Stuart McNaught; Jason Holmes; Danny Dubidat; Ricky Baker.
Subs: Kieran Robinson; Tom Stevenson; Mark Mason; Simeon Tulloch; Sean Butler.
