Northern Premier League Midlands
Church Road, Sutton Coldfield
Saturday, 30th March 2024, 3.00pm
Disappointing Result For Rovers
Anyone at this game, especially from the visitors’ perspective, would agree that the score-line no way reflected the game. Yes, Boldmere deserved to win but definitely not by this margin.
Unfortunately, Rovers’ frailties that have plagued the team all season were in evidence again today with loose defending, failing to convert good chances and the inability to manage the game when in front. Rovers were without John Guy and Kieran O’Connell who are both on holiday and Jenson Cooper and Chris Jones still suffering injuries.
After a good result midweek this was a little like ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ but Rovers did start strongly with John King forcing an early save from the home keeper. The Mikes replied with a shot from distance that just cleared the bar.
More good work from Rovers ended with Connor Pace firing a low shot which keeper Kieran Boucher dealt with comfortably. Dylan Hunniford and Richard Hanslow combined well with the former putting Hanslow through but a vital last-ditch touch from a defender denied a goal scoring chance for the striker.
King hit another low shot held by the keeper before a shot from distance at the other end tested the resolve of Rovers’ keeper Louie Turner having to take two touches to smother the ball.
Rovers took the deserved lead on the half hour mark. A good run down the right by Pace ended with an inviting cross into the box which was duly accepted by King who powered his shot into the net from just inside the area.
The visitors were hoping to hold out until the break but in the third minute of added time Boldmere levelled. A run down the left and into the area ended with a pass to Owen Parry made no mistake firing into the bottom corner.
The home side were soon putting Rovers under pressure from the start of the second half with George Washbourne heading a good early chance over the bar. Hunniford had a half chance but put his shot narrowly over the bar.
The pressure on the Rovers’ defence soon told as on 53 minutes Boldmere were in front when a ball to the back post saw Johnny Johnston in acres of space score easily. King had another chance but fired wide but Rovers were caught out by a long ball over the defence and the dangerous Daniel Gyasi latch onto it and cut inside before firing past Turner.
Not long after tempers were raised with both sides seeing players sent off by referee Karl Donaghey after a lengthy consultation with his assistants. Gyasi for the Mikes and Harley Kozluk were both sent off and Martin Smyth and Joseph Hull both seeing yellow.
Some further slack defending allowed Boldmere to extend their lead on 72 minutes with Washbourne netting the Mikes fourth.
Smyth’s free kick from just inside his own half on 76 minutes almost caught the home keeper, who was well off his line, out but the ball saved his blushes by flying just over the bar. Minutes later, however. Rovers were again authors of their own downfall as a rash tackle in the area added to the home tally from the penalty spot scored by Parry, his second of the game.
The final ten minute saw two of the young Gresley Reserve side given their debuts with Ethan Goodfellow and Jonathan Dawkins replacing King and Hunniford respectively. Rovers had another couple of chances with Pace having his shot tipped around the post and Knowles firing straight at the keeper.
A disappointing result for Rovers and with Rushden making a draw saw them drop into the relegation places. Rugby also lost so the Easter Monday fixture becomes a proverbial six-pointer with both sides desperate for those all important three points.
