Isuzu FA Trophy | First Qualifying Round | Saturday 7 September 2024
In this closely fought cup match the Mikes could consider themselves unlucky not to take the game to penalties given the battle over the ninety minutes. It was the proverbial game of two halves and Boldmere will look back on their inability to make their first half performance pay in terms of goals. Going into the break goalless did not reflect their best opening forty-five minutes of the season.
There were several changes to the line up from the previous game against Bedworth United; George Cleet was injured, Daniel Gyasi was suspended and selection on the day meant Liam Murphy, Jake Collins and Hisham Chiha were relegated to bench duty. Harry Craven returned from his one match ban, Gus Sanches and Sean Devlin returned to the starting line whist Kevin Ngombi and Kyle Burke made their starting debuts.
The lush surface, wet from recent rainfall made for a pacy game and it was Mikes who largely controlled proceedings with both wingers Sanches and Theo Rowe seeing plenty of the ball – the service being supplied by all of their colleagues as the ball was zipped around in style. Unfortunately, the numerous crosses did not result in any real clear-cut chance. Shots by Ngombi, Oliver West and Devlin were all attempted but former Mikes keeper Dan Moore was not troubled unduly. The home side came nearest to scoring in the eighteenth minute following a right-wing corner. A melee followed but referee Taylor spotted an infringement and the pressure was relieved. Sanches appeared to have the best chance to reward the Mikes efforts during the half but pulled his shot across goal with Moore stranded. Half time arrived with the scoresheet blank although the Mikes led 3-1 on yellow cards; Devlin, Harry Sweeney and Burke being the culprits.
Failure to outline their superiority came back to bite the Mikes early in the second period; just seven minutes into the second half a left-wing corner was not dealt with efficiently and home skipper Jack Broadhead forced the ball home at the near post with the aid of a deflection.
Curtis Burrows rattled the Mikes bar from a free kick whilst at the other end efforts from West and Gustavo Sanchez failed to produce an equaliser. Manager Neil Kitching used all five substitutes hoping the changes would bring reward. However, it was the home side who eventually added to the score when substitute Nathaniel Crofts fired into the empty net following an unchallenged break by Harry Draper.
Boldmere rallied and substitute Alfie Taylor reduced the deficit as the game moved into stoppage time. Despite further efforts to take the game to a penalty shoot out it was not to be and the Mikes finished the game with nothing show despite matching the NPL East league leaders over the ninety minutes.
Belper Town: Dan Moore, Curtis Burrows, Paulo Aguas, Nathan Whitehead, Jack Broadhead, Ioan Evans, Keaton August, Mason Warren (Lewis Austin 82), Harry Draper, Luke Rawson, Brodie Litchfield (Nathaniel Crofts 69). Subs not used: Ben Rhodes, Toby Gregory, Larell King
Boldmere St Michaels: Jonathan Brown, Lewis Allison, Harry Sweeney, Joseph Hull, Harry Craven, Kyle Burke, Theo Rowe (Jake Collins 73), Oliver West (Hisham Chiha 77), Kevin Ngombi (Liam Murphy 63), Sean Devlin (Charlie Shaw 74), Gustavo Sanches (Alfie Taylor 63)