Boldmere St. Michaels 2 - 1 Market Drayton Town
The visitors came to Church Road unbeaten in the Aspire MFA this season and had a daunting record of 9 victories from 10 games. As they looked to extend their fine start, Town started the game the stronger and ‘The Mikes’ soon knew they had a hard afternoon’s work ahead of them. There were bruising early exchanges and the away side were showing why they were league pace setters.
With an eventful first half drawing to a close Jason Holmes found Ricky Baker on the right, his cross into the area found the hand of Paul Bowyer with the referee pointing to the spot. Captain McNaught stepped up, slotting into the right hand corner, sending MDT’s keeper the wrong way.
One minute later, Boldmere had a free kick on the edge of the 18 yard box, awarded after another handball this time from Jason Francis. The resulting set play was well read by Stuart Ellis whose quick thinking saw him release Tom Ward on the left flank. Under pressure from Hamilton, Ward’s low cross by-passed the on-running Ellis and fell to Nicky Porter 20 yards out. His shot thunderous, 44th minute strike gave debut keeper Adam Jenkins no chance.
Another minute, another handball from the visitors, David Howells this time the offender inside the area. Up-stepped McNaught again and sent the ball in the same corner as the first to ensure 3 goals in as many minutes and Boldmere leading at the interval.
The second half was as competitive and bruising as the first but the home defense stood strong and withheld the away onslaught to give Market Drayton their first taste of league defeat this season.
1.JENKINS 2. SWAIN 3. JACKSON 4. HAMILTON 5. WOOD 6. McNAUGHT 7. TULLOCH 8. SMITH 9. HOLMES 10. MASON 11. BAKER
SUBS 12. HANLON 13. LANE 14. JUXON 15. WELLER (On 72 mins) 16. WILLIAMS
