Bustleholme FC 0-3 Boldmere St Michael’s Reserves
The Mikes travelled to the Tipton Sports Academy looking to shake off the disappointment of their first defeat in eight games on Saturday. Hosts Bustleholme were also looking to bounce back from a defeat, following a three-match winning run without conceding a goal.
The Mikes showed only one change from Saturday’s game, with Will Hutt promoted from the bench to replace the injured Ceiran McLean. Jack Brown switched flanks to right full back, releasing Andy Lewis to occupy his preferred midfield berth.
After a cagey opening few minutes, the Mikes gradually imposed their pacy football on their hosts, forcing a number of corners and a couple of good saves from the home keeper.
The home side had a couple of half chances which found the side netting, and Lewis Fenney produced a comfortable save from a free kick in a promising position, his only serious action of the half.
It was no surprise when the Mikes eventually took a deserved lead. Andre Gonzales’ corner was knocked back across goal by Tom Law and Lyndon Weller was waiting to nod the ball home from close range.
It was soon two, when an incisive passing moved found Adam Morton in the box. He held off his marker superbly before producing a delightful back heel into the path of the marauding Lewis, who didn’t have to break stride before gleefully firing home via the underside of the bar.
The home side were totally unable to cope with the Mikes’ pace down the flanks, and the impressive Weller got to the bye-line once again, delivering a superb cross to the far post. Tom Law was waiting and his goal-bound volley was blocked by a defender’s arm, but the official waved away the Mikes’ penalty appeals.
Half Time: Bustleholme 0-2 The Mikes
As the Mikes steeled themselves for the expected onslaught from the home team, they quickly set their stall out with some disciplined positional play, not allowing their hosts to gain a foothold in the game.
This had the desired effect, and the visitors began to impose their passing football on the game again. They soon knocked the stuffing out of the home side with a killer third goal, from the best move of the game. Play started in the Mikes half and half a dozen slick passes later saw Jack Brown reaching the bye line before squaring across goal for substitute Tom Clews to tap home from a yard out.
The Mikes were in total control and home keeper Page was enduring a busy night, with Lewis Fenney a virtual spectator at the other end. Page produced a great save with his feet to deny Clews, before he tipped over a long-range drive from fellow skipper Jack Brown, following a mazy run.
Anthony Juxon was dictating play and came close to the goal his performance deserved, fizzing a left-footer inches past the post from fully 25-yards The Mikes were in total control, and were not disrupted by injuries to Morton, Stone and Hutt.
The game was over a s a contest and gradually fizzled out, as the Mikes ran down the clock with the home side being a spent force.
The Mikes:
1. Lewis Fenney; 2. Andy Lewis; 3. Jack Brown; 4. Darrell Francis; 5. Jack Stone; 6. Will Hutt; 7. Lyndon Weller; 8. Anthony Juxon; 9. Tom Law; 10 Adam Morton; 11. Andre Gonzales.
Subs:
12. Tom Clews (for Morton 50min); 14. Cam Fowler (for Hutt 75min); 15. Sam Woodall (for Stone 70min); 16. Rob Clarke; 17 Louis Connor (not used)
Scorers: Lyndon Weller, Andy Lewis, Tom Clews.
Bustleholme:
1. Neil Page; 2. Jordan Perks; 3. Michael Mitchell; 4. Jake Foster; 5. David Tansey; 6. Ricky Martin; 7. James Hackett; 8. Lee Lough; 9. Matthew Jukes; 10 Nathan Phillips; 11. Ryan Trumpeter.
Subs:
12. Shaine Jones; 14. Jamie Clews; 15. Shaun Campbell; 16. Robert Sargent; 17. Richard Eades.
Next Reserve Fixture:
Saturday 28th October – Midland Combination Reserve Division – AWAY v Walsall Wood (3:00pm)
