Chasetown 2-3 Boldmere St. Michaels Res
Saturday 06 February 2010
Midland Football Combination Challenge Bowl – Semi-Final First Leg
Chasetown Reserves 2-3 The Mikes Reserves
The Mikes ended Chasetown’s ten-match winning streak to establish a slender advantage, following a keenly contested first leg.
The match was played at a ferocious pace throughout, but the first half produced little in the way of clear-cut chances as both defences dominated. It was The Mikes who established the lead at the break, courtesy of their best move of the half. Jack Brown and Adam Morton combined well to release Jorma Seabourne down the left. His driven cross looked destined for Johaine Thompson at the far post, only for home defender Lewis to divert the ball home as he desperately tried to clear.
Half Time: Chasetown 0-1 The Mikes
The Mikes started the second period in the ascendancy. Thompson and Morton combined superbly to put the Mikes’ leading scorer through on goal, but home keeper Green blocked well.
On the hour mark, the Mikes were gifted a second goal by the home side. As Adam Morton looked to connect with Lyndon Weller’s cross, he was needlessly pushed in the back by home defender Ivors, leaving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Jorma Seabourne took responsibility, slotting home past the diving Green.
The Mikes then had a huge let off, when a dangerous free kick eluded everybody and bounced to safety off the post. The game was swinging end to end, but both keepers dealt comfortably with a series of long range efforts.
The Mikes looked to have taken a huge stride towards the final, when they opened up a three-goal lead. Johaine Thompson turned provider, floating a teasing ball in for skipper Jack Brown to deftly guide a header past Green.
The home side reminded everybody why they are currently top dogs in the league and came storming back. Substitute Degville-Cross volleyed home despite Brown’s desperate attempt to clear on the line. The deficit was further reduced on the stroke of full time when the Mikes defence was unable to clear and Smith volleyed home via the underside of the bar.
The home side was unable to force an equaliser, leaving the tie finely poised for the second leg.
Full Time: Chasetown 2-3 The Mikes
Boldmere Team:
1 Lewis Fenney; 2 Andy Lewis; 3 Will Hutt; 4 Jack Stone; 5 Richard Dunleavy; 6 Cam Fowler; 7 Jack Brown (Captain); 8 Jamel Wilson; 9 Johaine Thompson; 10 Adam Morton; 11 Lyndon Weller.
Subs: 12 Tom Clews (not used); 14 Danny Jones (for Brown 84min); 16 Sam Woodall; GK Rob Clarke (not used).
Scorers: Own Goal, Jorma Seabourne (pen), Jack Brown.
Chasetown Team:
Green; Ivors; Farmer; Hulin; Lewis; Billingham; O’Callaghan; Hawkins (Captain); Scandrett; Welnitschuk; Rock.
Subs: Smith (Billingham 71); Westwood; Degville-Cross (Welnitschuk 62); Wright (Ivors 71); Kent.
Scorers: Degville-Cross, Smith.
