Oadby Town 0 - 2 Boldmere St. Michaels
The Mikes reached the semi finals of the Polymac Services League Cup with what ended up a comfortable victory in Leicester. The team showed one change from Tuesday's draw at Causeway, with Mark Mason returning to replace the cup-tied Danny Dubidat.
In an even first half, chances were at a premium. The Mikes started well, playing neat football on a decent, but lively surface. However, Oadby were first to threaten, but as the home striker tried to latch on to a through ball he was blocked out by the advancing Adam Jenkins on the edge of the box.
The Mikes moved forward and had an excellent chance to take the lead. The lively Ricky Baker floated a lovely cross to the far post, Lyndon Weller volleyed back across the face of goal but Simeon Tulloch was unable to latch on to the loose ball as defender and ball arrived at the same time.
Skipper Stuart McNaught then fired a tame free kick from a very presentable position, before Oadby's David Fisher fired over from a similar dead ball opportunity.
The half finsihed goalless as the Mikes continued to press.
The second half also started brightly for the Mikes, but Oadby were again first to threaten. Brian Quailey swivelled eight yards out to fire towards the bottom corner, but Jenkins got down smartly to his left to produce a fine save, with Aaron Hamilton completing the clearance.
This was the last time the home side seriously threatened The Mikes' goal. The Mikes quickly got well on top, with skipper Stuart McNaught driving the midfield in a man of the match performance. Mark Mason missed clear header from a yard out at the far post, but his blushes were spared by the linesman's flag.
As thoughts began to turn to a repeat of Tuesday's goalless contest, Boldmere's patient football was rewarded with a peach of a goal on 73 minutes. Lyndon Weller beat his man all ends up and stood up a great cross towards the far post. Ricky Baker timed his run perfectly to direct an eight yard header back across the keeper into the corner of the net.
This relaxed the Mikes as they went in search of the killer goal, which duly arrived on 82 minutes. Ricky Baker's perfect corner kick was met by Adam Wood who glanced a neat header inside the far post.
The home side were now a spent force. The Mikes saw out the remaining minutes with an impressive display of keep ball.
In the absence of manager Rob Mallaband, Craig Feasey and Rob Clarke both expressed their delight at a second consecutive clean sheet and the victory which was achieved in a controlled, patient manner.
Boldmere: Adam Jenkins; Adam Swain; Matt Jackson; Aaron Hamilton; Adam Wood; Kirk Smith; Lyndon Weller; Stuart McNaught; Mark Mason; Simeon Tulloch; Ricky Baker.
Subs: Kieran Robinson (Baker); Tom Stevenson (Weller); Jason Holmes (Mason); Anthony Juxon; Sean Butler.
