Shifnal Town 2-1 Boldmere St. Michaels
The Mikes travelled to Shropshire fresh off a big win against Walsall in midweek to face a Shifnal Town side who had former Boldmere reserve manager John Wilson in charge and a total of 6 ex-mikes (5 starters and 1 sub) on the pitch. Boldmere started with Sean Butler in goal as the only change replacing Adam Jenkins who injured his foot in the victory over Walsall on Tuesday.
Shifnal had the first opportunity after 3 minutes when Jamel Fuller hit a cross just over the Boldmere bar. Boldmere’s first chance came on 10 minutes when a corner was punched away by Shifnal keeper Lee Evans.
Boldmere made the breakthrough after 12 minutes when Johaine Thompson raced clear and passed to Nathan Gough who shot past the keeper into the bottom of the net.
Shifnal had an opportunity on 15 minutes when a cross found Andy Rich who headed at keeper Sean Butler. Four minutes later Boldmere had an escape when keeper Sean Butler dropped the ball on the edge of the penalty area and Jamel Fullers shot was cleared by a defender. Shifnal’s best chance to equalise came on 24 minutes when a shot from Jamie Fisher hit the Boldmere crossbar. On 29 minutes another Shifnal effort hit the inside of the Boldmere post but came out to be saved by a grateful Sean Butler. Boldmere could have doubled their lead on 31 minutes when Johaine Thompson was clear in the penalty area but fell over and Nathan Gough hit the follow up over the bar.
Then on the stroke of half time Shifnal equalised in a bizarre manor (Villa and Blues fans will identify with the following) Boldmere’s Ricky Baker had the ball on the edge of his area and tried to roll it back to the keeper only for Sean Butler to be rooted to the spot as he could only watch the ball roll over the goaline to gift Shifnal an unlikely equalizer.
Shifnal came out strongly at the start of the second half and on 47 minutes a Jamel Fuller cross was turned by the post by a Boldmere defender. On 57 minutes a Boldmere corner was headed against a defender. On the hour mark Boldmere’s Johaine Thompson had a shot saved by Lee Evans. On 73 minutes a ball from Boldmere’s Tom Stevenson found Johaine Thompson in the Shifnal penalty area who shot over the bar. On 79 Minutes Boldmere had a corner punched away by the Shifnal keeper.
Shifnal were still pushing for a winner and on 82 minutes a ball from Joe Davies found Jamel Fuller whose shot just cleared the Boldmere bar.
However the pressure told in the 83rd minute in a slightly controvsal manner. After seemingly being awarded a free kick which the Mikes players set up to take, play was delayed due to a melee between players. The referee then decided on a drop ball which was contested by Tom Stevenson and Jamie Fisher. Fisher seemed to volley the ball before the ball touched the floor but the referee allowed play to go on and the ball reached Jamel Fuller who shot home to hand Shifnal all three points.
Shifnal Town Evans, Maydew, Hancox, Fisher, Walne, Bromley, Smith, Salt, Rich, Buxton, Fuller
Boldmere Butler, Swain, Simmonds, Stevenson, Dunleavy, Hawker, Smith, McNaught, Gough, Thompson,
Baker Subs Used Osbourne, Tulloch Not Used Grosvenor, Wood
