Stratford Town 2 Boldmere St Michaels 1
The Mikes ventured to Shakespeare country looking to bounce back from their midweek League Cup defeat against Oadby Town.
Stratford had the first opportunity of the game after 5 minutes when James Hardie had an effort saved by Sean Butler and the follow up was cleared away.
Boldmere’s first opportunity came on 13 minutes when a Kirk Smith shot was palmed away by Stratford’s Chris Jay and Lee Osbourne’s follow up was cleared off the Stratford goaline. On 19 minutes a Kirk Smith corner was headed over the Stratford bar by Lyndon Weller.
On 25 minutes Stratford had a deflected free kick saved the mikes Sean Butler. On 30 minutes Boldmere’s Lyndon Weller saw his pass just edged past the Stratford post by Lee Osborne. Boldmere’s pressure finally paid dividends right on halftime as a Stratford defender lost the ball on the edge of their penalty area and Lee Osbourne volleyed the ball past the Stratford keeper into the roof of the net to give Boldmere a deserved half time lead.
The second half started with Stratford pushing for an equaliser on 47 minutes a corner found Mark Faulds who shot straight at Sean Butler in the mikes goal. On 54 minutes Boldmere’s Lyndon Weller saw his cross come shot just clear the Stratford bar.
On 55 minutes a Stratford through ball put through a player but his effort was blocked by Lyndon Weller. Stratford immediately equalised when a cross found Sam Alsop who headed down into the net past Sean Butler.Boldmere bought on Tom Stevenson, Matt Hawker and Nathan Gough to try and get a winner but that plan was dented when Boldmere having already had three players booked saw Adam Wood sent off for a second bookable offence.
The pressure finally proved too much for Boldmere and Stratford took the lead on 79 minutes when a cross that was headed across the Boldmere goalmouth was forced home by Azarrah O’Garro. Boldmere’s day was summed up in stoppage time when they had a chance to equalise from a corner but with the ball at Nathan Gough’s feet inside the 6 yard box he fell over in front of goal and it was Stratford who hung on for all three points although it was a vastly improved team performance.
Stratford Town Jay, Hardie, Masters, McHale, Smith, Walmer, Faulds, Alsop, Brown, Gardner, McGrath
Boldmere Butler, Swain, Simmonds, Watkins, Wood, Juxon, Weller, McNaught, Holmes, Osbourne, Smith Subs Used Gough, Hawker, Stevenson
Not Used Baker, Fenney
Attendance 153
