Heather St. Johns 0-2 Boldmere St. Michaels Res
In awful conditions, with the game being in doubt due to torrential down pours all afternoon, the Mikes showed super appetite and skill in overcoming an improving Heather side that also showed commendable desire and made a real fist of it, and was always in the game but the extra quality eventually floated to the surface to give the Mikes three hard fought points.
The Mikes started brightly, and their magnificent midfield was again soon popping the ball around for fun, but failure to select the correct final ball allowed the home side off the hook on numerous occasions. On thirty minutes Boldmere got the breakthrough when an insurgent run into the Heather penalty area by Tom Clews resulted in a penalty being awarded, James Welnischuck, a new signing from Chasetown and last seasons Midland Combination top goal scorer, struck the penalty to near of the keeper who made a comfortable save. Boldmere continued to have the better of the exchanges but Heather’s quick breaks where a constant thorn in the side of the Mikes defence, but skipper Andre Calder was again in magnificent form ably supported by youth team centre back Shane Maydew and keeper Shaun Butler.
H.T Heather St Johns 0 v 0 Boldmere St Michaels
Conditions improved for the second half when the driving rain ceased, but Boldmere were still in the dressing room for the opening ten minutes, and the home side took over the proceedings, but stubborn defending and poor selection of pass enabled the Mikes to ride this early pressure, get back on the ball and slightly against the run of play, a stupendous run and shot from the inspirational Andy Lewis was palmed away by the home keeper into the path of Jamal Fuller who collided with the hard working James Welnischuck but not before rifling the ball into the roof of the net. This collision resulting in Welnischuck’s withdrawal by the returning from injury Chris Conway, who missed a great opportunity with a header from a corner with his first touch, scored with a super volley ten minutes later and showed delightful touches and a decent work-rate to propel himself into contention for a start on Saturday. Another incisive run into the home penalty area resulted in a second penalty being awarded for the Mikes, but this time substitute Joe Davies rolled it straight into the keeper hands!
F.T Heather St Johns 0 v 2 Boldmere St Michaels
Boldmere Man of the Match selected by Heather St. Johns – KEVIN BUXTON
