Northern Premier League | Midland Division | Monday 26 August 2024

Skill, incompetence, guts and thuggery: this game had it all, and provided excellent entertainment throughout, for a healthy Bank Holiday crowd. The Mikes started with newcomer Hisham Chiha starting in the injured Joe Daley’s slot, while fellow newcomer Kevin Ngombi was on the bench.

The visitors started the better, and could easily have gone ahead in the very first minute. Rivel Mardenborough benefitted from some Boldmere muddle, and raced through the middle, and past the exposed Jonathan Brown: only an excellent intervention by Lewis Allison saw the ball forced away for a corner. Darlo were looking a well-connected machine, while the Mikes looked like a bunch of strangers, getting to know one another – which is what they are. Having weathered early pressure, the hosts began to gel, and promising crosses were coming in from both wings. An interesting duel was developing between Daniel Gyasi and Harry Chesterton, while Theo Rowe was giving Taylor Eades plenty to think about – Eades being substituted only eight minutes into the second period.

A smart three man move down the middle saw Liam Murphy firing just wide, while Brown had to sprint right to the bye line to stop Mardenborough latching on to a long upfield pass. It was honours even until we’d had twenty-one minutes, when Darlaston (turned out in a natty yellow and white strip) went ahead. We live in days when the keeper acts as an additional sweeper, and is often found far from his net. Darlo had spotted this, and Aaron Brown sent in a long punt from far away. A desperately back pedaling Brown managed to get a hand to it. Retreating further, he got a second hand to it; but couldn’t stop it entering the net.

Potential handbags were quickly emptied by our referee, who kept a tight hold on matters throughout. Jake Collins was continually getting in the right place up front, and raised an “Oooh” when he finished a smooth combination with a twenty-yard rocket over the bar. The Mikes were moving sweetly now, and with the half hour just gone, Murphy put a head on a lovely Collins chip, to level. Boldmere’s best period of play now followed, three finishes being near the target in the first half’s last five minutes. Half time: 1-1.

Play continued from end to end throughout the second period, chances coming at both ends. A potential turning point came as we reached the hour. From a distance, it looked as if Gyasi, defending deeply by his own goal line, had put the ball away for a corner; but an enraged howl from the visiting support told you otherwise, and Mr. Talbot showed no hesitation in awarding our Daniel a red card. This happens when attackers turn their hand to defending….

A steady stream of substitutes now arrived, as both teams strove for the mastery. Bulk was added to both front lines – the balding Kieran Miller for Darlaston, the definitely hirsute Kevin Ngombi for Boldmere. Jack Downing, now having no one to mark, used his space intelligently to prompt his forwards, while Hisham Chiha was showing close control in midfield. The mystery of the last half hour was that no one managed to score. Both Mardenborough and Bishop found themselves in possession of the ball at the foot of the Mikes’ post; but couldn’t control it, while Ngombi broke free to hit an absolute fizzer which all but broke the bar…but went over the top. Gladiators were going down injured in the fray, while the Mikes, a man down, fought commendably to the final whistle – loudly called for by the home support. A point apiece was fair reward for two teams who gave it their all throughout.

Boldmere St Michaels: Jonathan Brown; Lewis Allison; Harry Sweeney; George Cleet; Harry Craven; Ollie West; Theo Rowe (Joe Hull 79); Hisham Chiha (Sean Devlin 66); Liam Murphy (Kevin Ngombi 68); Jake Collins; Daniel Gyasi. Sub. not used: Gus Sanches, Alfie Taylor

Darlaston Town: James Storer; Taylor Eades (Jack Downing 54); Harry Chesterton; Ryan Winwood; Alex Foreshaw; Ben Podmore; James Rowland; Lewis Gill (Kieran Miller 67); Tyler Bruck (Jake Pearson 70); Rivel Mardenborough; Aaron Bishop. Subs. not used: Bailey Storey; Samuel Smith.