Grantham Town 0 Boldmere St Michaels 0
Northern Premier League Midland Division Saturday 22 February 2025
Following the heavy defeat at Anstey Nomads a week ago a trip to basement side Grantham Town could be looked on as a blessing or a banana skin. The conceding of seventeen goals in the last four away games would suggest the latter.
Ben George was absent on holiday but George Cleet had recovered from illness to return and lead the side whilst another new signing Frankie Ealing made his debut after signing from Aberystwyth Town. Experienced Oliver West also an Anstey absentee returned to the squad.
It was the Mikes first ever visit to the South Kesteven Sports Stadium and a pitch surrounded by an athletics track hardly led to any atmosphere during the match indeed despite a crowd of 270 it looked empty.
Boldmere seemed to line up with a back three with veteran Steve Palmer playing in an unaccustomed defensive position on the right-hand side – your editor and on this occasion match reporter thinks that young Pierre Phillips would be more at home in that role.
The first attack of the game led to a throw in. Home skipper Sam Muggleton took an enormous long throw which cleared the crowded goalmouth and almost drifted to the far side of the pitch. It was oft used during the game but surprisingly caused the Mikes defenders little concern.
There was little flow to the game throughout despite the pitch looking in reasonable condition and the complete lack of expected wind and rain. Territorially the home side had the better of the first half making good headway down the left on several occasions and the Mikes were indebted to one brilliant save by Jonathan Brown when he foiled Sam Tomlinson. The best reply in the first half came from a good run from Demico Burton but his effort hit the side netting when it looked as though he must score. Half time arrived goalless and in reality, not the biggest surprise of the afternoon.
The second half was little better both sides finding it difficult to string passes together. The Mikes threat too often involved solo runs by Theo Rowe or Kevin Ngombi but there seemed little support around to put the Gingerbreads defenders under significant pressure. Several substitutions by both Managers were made during the closing quarter and for a while it looked as though the introduction of Oliver West for the Mikes might lead to a goal. Fellow substitute Taylor-Jay Hart lasted all of ten minutes before injury, allowing youngster Danny Wood to make his first team bow. In the closing added minutes Mikes defended stoutly when facing several free kicks and corners.
This wasn’t a classic by any means but a clean sheet, against a side that forced a 2-2 draw against league leaders Quorn in their last game shouldn’t be sniffed at after two five goal drubbings on their recent travels.
Grantham Town: Paul Cooper, Ryan Ebanks, Aj Adelekan, Max Cook, Ben Richards, Sam Muggleton, Elliot Riches (Harvey Ridgley 79)), Sam Edgington (Bradley Munns 79), Sam Tomlinson (Lewis Darlington 79), Tom Pawson, Freddie Allen (Harry Olivant 76). Sub not used: Jonasz Gadomski
Boldmere St Michaels: Jonathan Brown, Stephen Palmer (Oliver West 76), Pierre Phillips, George Cleet, Lewis Allison, Frankie Ealing, Theo Rowe, John McHugh (Charlie Manners 70), Kevin Ngombi, Mason Rees (Taylor-Jay Hart 70 (Danny Wood 80)), Demico Burton. Sub not used: Tyler Donaldson