Northern Premier League | Midland Division | Saturday 14 December 2024
Players have come to, and gone from, Church Road in considerable numbers in recent weeks, and the Programme squad list contained no less than nine names that weren’t there six weeks ago. Two new faces in full back Demico Burton, defender Tyler Donaldson whilst striker Kevin Ngombi made his second appearance of the campaign. An expected paltry pre-Christmas attendance was rendered respectable by the usual good turnout of Rugbyrians, rendered quieter than usual by the turn of events.
A hat trick within twenty-one minutes from Ngombi almost certainly settled the match for the Mikes; but the visitors, passing the ball fluidly between themselves at times, never gave up the struggle, and so an enthralling game resulted. Boldmere were one up inside two minutes. They had ten men in the box for the game’s first corner. The resultant clearance saw Richard Batchelor feed Ngombi, who bore in from the right and slid the ball accurately past Rugby custodian Paul Hathaway, from fifteen yards. We had to wait another seventeen minutes for number two; this time Ngombi drove in from the left and his powerful left footed strike was too much for Hathaway who got a good hand to the ball but could not keep it out. Just two minutes later the big striker was celebrating a hat trick, heading powerfully home from a pinpoint Ben George cross. Between his second and third strike Corey Cooper had limped off being replaced by Hisham Chiha whilst Batchelor went the same way on thirty-five minutes with Joseph Blowers replacing him.
The visitors responded well to conceding three early goals and looked quite menacing when on the attack, indeed Jonathan Brown dominated on all fronts when called on to do so. The half time cuppa seemed a lot better than in recent weeks although this view was not shared by the visiting officials
Rugby, chasing the game, were obliged to be economical with resources at the back, keeping three men up for corners; while the Mikes had the luxury of soaking up their opponents’ efforts, looking to score on the break. Hat trick hero Ngombi limped off just before the hour mark being replaced by Charlie Manners. It meant half an hour with a smaller strike force presenting different problems for the visiting defenders. Despite several promising looking raids on the Rugby goal it was added time before the Mikes added a further goal, Charlie Manners running on to a penetrative pass, and showing neat control before pushing home to complete a comprehensive win.
You could write a lot about this match: suffice it to say that the Mikes kept a clean sheet thanks to three reflex saves from Jonathan Brown, and some calm defending from the defence when under pressure.
The result might have been closer, had it not been for Ngombi’s early heroics; but what was more significant was the encouragement it gave us all for the rest of the season.
Boldmere St Michaels: Jonathan Brown; Ben George; Demico Burton; Mason Rees; George Cleet; Tyler Donaldson; Corey Cooper (Hisham Chiha 20); Oliver West; Richard Batchelor (Joseph Blowers 36); Kevin Ngombi (Charlie Manners 58); Theo Rowe (Lewis Allison 86). Sub. not used: Steve Palmer.
Rugby Town: Paul Hathaway; Dan Summerfield; Ayo Lekuti; Liam Francis; Josh Thomas; Caine Elliott; Harrison Nee (Silvano Obeng 56); Ethan O’Toole; Trey Charles; Kieron Berry (Tayo Tucker 84); Hilton Arthur (Madundo Semahimbo 68). Subs. not used: Ryan Sahota; Justin Mensah.