Sporting Khalsa 3 Boldmere St Michaels 1
Northern Premier League Midland Division
Saturday 15 March 2025
Maybe, for the first time this season the entire sixteen players were unchanged from the victory at Darlaston last weekend and manager Ben Roberts was hoping for a similar result against another play off chasing side.
Despite the sunshine it was a bitterly cold afternoon and the sparse crowd was entertained in a match evenly contested by both sides. The home side had numerous corners during the first half that were well defended by the Mikes whilst at the other end Kevin Ngombi and Charlie Manners caused problems to veteran Tesfa Robinson and his colleagues. It was following a corner that Boldmere took the lead in the 12th minute, Skipper George Cleet forcing the ball home from close range after a failed attempted clearance by the home defence.
The Mikes defence held firm until the break beckoned, one of the many corners, mostly repelled effectively led to the equaliser. Ngombi and Luke Ward challenged each other with ball dropping between them; as Ward fell, he swung a leg diverting the ball into the top right-hand corner. It was tough on Jonathan Brown who had payed well in keeping Khalsa at bay.
On the resumption the Mikes almost gifted the lead to their opponents, Cleet delayed making a clearance and Landell fired over when well placed. It was less that ten minutes later when Khalsa took the lead. Chay Tilt had time to chest the ball down deep on the right wing, his cross found Landell who also had time to chest the ball down into the path of Callum Dolman and his first time shot left Brown a spectator.
Mikes introduced Theo Rowe shortly after the hour mark as they looked to get back on terms. Four other Mikes substitutes were used with little change to the pattern of the game. Both defences largely in control. As the game entered stoppage time Rowe burst through two defenders and was bundled to the ground in the Khalsa box. To everyone on the ground, well the Mikes supporters in particular, it was a blatant penalty, but referee Chandwani thought otherwise. The clearance downfield to home substitute found Simeon Cobourne and he rubbed salt in the wounds by firing past Brown.
A very disappointing end for the young Mikes who showed great endeavour against more experienced opponents.
Sporting Khalsa: Brandon Ganley, Kristian Green, Will Grewal-Pollard, Matt Fulloway, Tesfa Robinson (Zacharias Kourouyianni 90+5), Callum Dolman, Luke Ward, Robbie Bunn, Andre Landell, Chay Tilt (Simeon Cobourne 75), James McGrady (Kieron Whittaker 85). Subs not used: Jayden Campbell, Carlo Franco
Boldmere St Michaels: Jonathan Brown, Lewis Allison, Pierre Phillips, George Cleet, Demico Burton (John McHugh 80), Frankie Ealing (Theo Rowe 62), Nathan Oyemade (Jake Wilkes 85), Oliver West, Kevin Ngombi, Charlie Manners (Kieron Berry 70), Mason Rees. Sub not used: Kye Bilton