Northern Premier League | Midland Division | Saturday 16 November 2024
Under lowering clouds, the Mikes chose to start playing downhill. They combined well…until a vital pass went astray. Even so, it needed Charlie Manners to fire just wide from a free kick, Corey Cooper to skew a twenty yarder, a brave Hayden Whitcombe save at Jake Collins’s feet, and a Jake Collins shot to brush the post, to keep the score level. Soon, Worcester’s Liam Lockett sent in a steamer, which Jonathan Brown managed to parry away. With nineteen minutes on the clock, the game’s only goal arrived. Good work from the right reached Cameron Monteith in the box, and he rifled home.
A fine, persistent rain now arrived, and a scattering of umbrellas went up – though most of the hardy spectators simply raised rain hoods, the two small Stands being largely full. While the hosts were looking solid in the air at the back, the Mikes were winning more one-on-ones than they were losing. Our experienced referee, Mr. Mountain, is one of those officials who likes to keep the game moving, and frequently elicited the ire of the crowd (an impressive 753 – their second best of the season so far) as bodies flew in all directions, without the whistle going. Boldmere thus found themselves in the unusual situation of being more clobbering than clobbered.
The rain was rendering the pitch slippery, and on the half hour the Mikes did everything but score, a corner leading to the ball zigzagging round the Worcester woodwork – but, somehow, not going in. The process was repeated eleven minutes later, by which time the rain was intensifying, and youngsters were seeking spare seats under cover. They don’t make ‘me like they used to…
Two minutes before the break, Worcester’s Logan Stoddart and Boldmere’s Corey Cooper both fell awkwardly as they contested a ball. Stoddart, after lengthy attention, was able to continue. Cooper immediately stood up…collapsed…and lay completely motionless. Physio Chloe couldn’t revive him…a concerned Kitch came across to review the situation…and eventually Corey was stretchered from the fray, to the sympathetic applause of the crowd. One hopes he gained the attention he needed: at half time, a Steward’s radio was heard saying that it would be four hours before an ambulance arrived. Doubtless we’ll be told how he’s getting on, elsewhere in the programme. The silver lining was that youngster Jake Wilkes took his place, and made an excellent First Team debut, looking sharp down the wing, and providing good quality corners and long throw ins. Half time: 1-0.
Boldmere continued to threaten the home net, a Gus Sanches effort from a long throw being cleared off the line, Whitcombe booting out a low Wilkes steamer. Boldmere substitutes now began to appear (as usual, outnumbering their opponents’ – this time, by four to one), and Steve Palmer nearly set up a goal from his first touch, his header from a corner being kicked clear. The ball continually went Mikes-Blues-Mikes-Blues-Mikes, as the teams battled for control. Midfield machine Tom Edge now had to leave us, with cramp, while the game’s only yellows were awarded to Sanches (flying challenge on the continually battered Elliott Hartley) and George Cleet (upending a passing opponent).
As the final whistle beckoned, the Mikes laid virtual siege to their hosts’ goal; but without managing to breach their defence. The Faithful’s Chairman Steve Goode noted in the programme that they’d just completed three games on the road without conceding a goal (including a match at Redditch United), and we saw their competence at last ditch defending throughout. Thus, Boldmere left Claines Lane without the point they deserved; but having given a worthy account of themselves.
Worcester City: Haydn Whitcombe; Logan Stoddart; Elliott Hartley; Cameron Monteith; Charlie Wise; Hayden Reeves; Liam Lockett; Jordan Lymn; Prince Henry; Felix Miles (Zach Guinan 62); Taylor Townsend. Subs. not used: Reece Day; Kyle Clayton.
Boldmere St Michaels: Jonathan Brown; Lewis Allison; Corey Cooper (Jake Wilkes 45+2); George Cleet; Joe Hull; Steve Palmer; Gus Sanches (Lewis Allison 78); Thomas Edge (Kyle Burke 68) ; Jake Collins (Liam Murphy 60); Charlie Manners; Hisham Chiha (Steve Palmer 61).