Northern Premier League | Midlands Division | Tuesday 7 January 2025
After the disappointment of the Boxing Day defeat to local rivals Sutton Coldfield Town and the postponement of the New Years Day game against Darlaston it was hoped that the trip to Northamptonshire would yield a good start to the second half of the campaign. It was not to be as the Mikes came out on the wrong end of the result and have now conceded seven goals in the last two games.
A reasonably bright opening when Kevin Ngombi had a good effort fizz the wrong side of the upright was as good as it got and the former Mikes custodian Dan Moore will probably never have an easier night in goal. In truth the home side were sharper all around the park and always looked the more likely to score whilst in comparison a laboured build up by the Mikes rarely threatened.
A couple of clean sheets against Rugby Town and Racing Club Warwick, whilst pleasing, paled into insignificance on Boxing Day and against a Wellingborough side sharper in thought and in movement. The first half goals were straight through the middle of the defence, firstly Danny Draper chipped Jonathan Brown, who in my opinion had strayed too far off his line whilst the second by Tom Iaciofano was drilled low past the keeper after poor attempts to win the ball in midfield.
Ngombi fought a lone battle up front against strong aerial defenders and with little progress down the flanks by Joseph Blowers and Theo Rowe it seemed the two-goal deficit would be difficult to claw back. I am sure there were harsh words shared in the dressing room at half time with the aim of looking to get back into the match against a side top of the current form table.
The Mikes certainly enjoyed (I use the term loosely) more of the territorial advantage following the interval but never looked like troubling the scoreboard. The introduction of Charlie Manners and Hisham Chiha midway through the second period brought insignificant change to the performance and it was the home side who added to the score when substitute Josh Rayfield cut in from the left and fired past Brown. I had settled for a 2-0 defeat, three being far more comprehensive and it could easily have been four when a dreadful pass across his own penalty area by Oliver West teed up Gordon Claston; fortunately, Brown made a good save to prevent further damage to the scoreline.
All in all, an evening to forget as attention turns to Saturday’s game against our bogey side Shepshed Dynamo.
Wellingborough Town: Dan Moore, Will Bates, Daniel Emovon, Joe Curtis (Josh Rayfield 79), Jack O’Connor, Nathan Stainfield, Danny Draper (Lloyd Buckby 55), George Barnell, Neo Richard-Noel, Tom Iaciofano, Jessie Obeng (Gordon Claston 83). Subs not used: Brett Solkhon, Jesse Bedford
Boldmere St Michaels: Jonathan Brown, Ben George (Corey Cooper 83), Demico Burton, George Cleet, Richard Batchelor, Mason Rees, Theo Rowe (Charlie Manners 67), Oliver West (Lewis Allison 83), Kevin Ngombi, Stephen Palmer (Hisham Chiha 67), Joseph Blowers. Sub not used: Pierre Phillips