The Mikes 2-1 Stourport Swifts

The fourth meeting between the sides this season was another close affair with the Mikes turning a half time deficit around to win courtesy of a second half brace by Jack Skinner.

Boldmere had by far the better of the early exchanges with left back Harry Sweeney supporting the attack well, more than once his crosses went begging as nobody was able to force an effort on goal. As the game settled down neither side threatened their opponents’ goal seriously and as the interval approached a blank scoresheet looked inevitable. However, with two minutes to go Lewis Fenney raced wide to collect a through ball and ended up handling outside the area. Self-imposed or nudged out was the question, referee Parke decided the former booked the keeper and awarded a free kick. Mark Danks took it and found the head of Joe Hanson who guided the ball into the far corner to open the scoring.

There was precious little to choose between the teams and again chances were few and far between until Daniel O’Sullivan fired a ball across it was returned by Kaden May and the alert Skinner nipped in front of his defender to force home the equaliser at the near post. Things got better a quarter of an hour later; Luke Shearer who had been fairly anonymous during the game burst into to life slipping past Joe Hanson before being brought down. There were token appeals by the visiting defenders but a penalty it was. Skinner stepping up after a short delay and firing what turned out to be the winner despite a brave effort by Dominic Richards to save. The Boldmere defence of a more settled nature recently saw out the game without any real scares to earn a welcome three points.

This was a further step in the right direction for the current upward mobility of the Mikes.

The Mikes: Lewis Fenney, Brandon Williams, Harry Sweeney, Stephen Palmer, Harry Craven, Joe Lyng, Kaden May (Brad Lindsey 70), Owen Parry, Jack Skinner, Luke Shearer (Kyle Byrne 90+2), Daniel O’Sullivan (Owen Bennett 85). Subs not used: Jakob Burroughs, Pedro Lima