Northern Premier League | Midlands Division | Tuesday 10 September 2024

A thoroughly entertaining game was over shadowed, from the Mikes point of view, by a controversial decision to award a free kick to the hosts just outside the box with just minutes to go. Most observers thought that Alfie Taylor had clearly won the ball and he himself had been fouled but referee Michael Pattison thought otherwise and full back Carter Lycett settled this closely fought match by blasting a left footed shot beyond Jonathan Brown in the Mikes goal.
After early pressure from the Wood it was the Mikes that dominated the game in the first half. Liam Murphy might have scored after seven minutes but Andy Wycherley made a smart save low to his right and the same player hit a cracker just over some ten minutes later. In between times two Harry Sweeney corners were headed over the bar by Oliver West and Harry Craven.
Lewis Allison became the first player to get a yellow card, probably unfortunately as there had been several tasty tackles all over the pitch from both sides that went unpunished and his offence of holding an opponent seemed tame by comparison. Many decisions during this half seemed to infuriate both management teams yet on the pitch despite the pace of the game both sets of players seemed to be enjoying the combat. As the half time break approached Jake Collins had a couple of efforts on goal, but having had the better of things in the first half for the second match running the Mikes went in at the break with nothing to show for their efforts.
Theo Rowe replaced Sweeney on the resumption and was to test the home defence on several occasions, indeed during the half three Wood players were booked for infringements on the substitute. The home side passed the ball about more freely during this second period but when homing in on goal were met by dogged resistance from the Boldmere rearguard. A great Sean Devlin crossfield ball set up Rowe whose effort was superbly saved by Wycherley. Gus Sanches replaced Collins with ten minutes to go just a few minutes before the decisive goal settled the match.
The frustration of the circumstances of the goal led to further yellow cards for West and Brown prior to the kick off. As Boldmere searched for a late equaliser they were caught twice on the break but each time Kaiman Anderson was foiled by the sprawling legs of Brown. At the other end Sanches shaved the bar with a cross with Rowe turning the loose ball over the bar and a melee in the Wood box was strongly defended to keep a clean sheet for the hosts.
Opinions may obviously vary but this match was a good watch, as a Mike I felt gutted for the players showing a nil return for their efforts against a pacy and more experienced side.
Walsall Wood: Andy Wycherley, Jack Fletcher (Joshua Green 90), Carter Lycett, Jack Burgess, Kyle Rowley, Ashley Cater, Sam Unitt, Jack Concannon (Charlie Manners 77), Kaiman Anderson, Nick Clayton-Phillips (Jack Kelly 89), Jamie Lee Soule (Corey Cooper 78). Sub not used Jack Hallahan
Boldmere St Michaels: Jonathan Brown, Lewis Allison (Kevin Ngombi (90+1), Harry Sweeney (Theo Rowe 46), Joseph Hull, Harry Craven, Kyle Burke, Alfie Taylor, Oliver West, Liam Murphy, Sean Devlin, Jake Collins (Tui Gustavo Macedo Sanches 79). Subs not used: Hisham Chiha, Charlie Shaw