Boldmere St. Michaels 5-1 Stratford Town
After the weekend’s heavy downpour it was a wet and damp Church Road surface, on-which the two sides exchanged early shots, Stratford were the first with Matt Blair's effort grazing the crossbar. Shortly after Ricky Baker had Boldmere’s first chance which warmed the hands of Karl Lewis in goal for Stratford minutes later.
On ten minutes the home side opened the scoring, Antony Juxon, twenty yards out picked up a loose ball, shifted past two Town players before unleashing a sublime effort which found the far top corner.
Stratford’s Jamie Lenton forced 'The Mikes' keeper Adam Jenkins into two fine saves from but found the new signing in excellent form, then on 29 minutes Jozsef Jakeb found himself unmarked in the eighteen yard but was unable to keep his header from skying over the bar.
Boldmere made it 2-0 on 32 minutes after Ricky Baker's cross field pass found Simeon Tulloch, he took the ball down the right flank before sending in a low cross from which Jason Holmes tapped in from close range.
‘The Mikes’ went 3 up after Holmes turned provider, setting up his strike partner Mark Mason who beat the defence before seeing the ball home to round off a superb opening for the hosts.
In the second half Baker's 53rd minute corner found the towering Adam Wood to head home. Stratford got a goal back via Kevin Brookes latching onto a loose ball on the edge of the 18yard box, with his turn and shot beating the stranded Adam Jenkins.
Boldmere then restored their 4 goal advantage on 65 minutes when Ricky Baker's defence splitting pass set up the on-running Mark Mason who rounded the out-coming Lewis, for his second of the afternoon. Stratford sent on new signing Paul Devlin who was unable to make an impression on the game which ended in competitive fashion with the visitors looking to reduce the deficit.
It was a fine performance from the Mikes who were awarded the October 'Team of the Month' award prior to kick off.
1. JENKINS 2. SWAIN 3. JACKSON 4. WOOD 5. HAMILTON 6. McNAUGHT 7. TULLOCH 8.
JUXON 9. HOLMES 10. MASON 11. BAKER
SUBS 12. HANLON 13. LANE 14. OSBORNE (on 76 mins) 15. ROBINSON (on 70 mins) 16. STEVEN SMITH (on 68 mins).
