The Mikes 4-1 Stourport Swift

The “magic of the Cup “drew a crowd twice the size of that which had watched the same visitors only two days previously. Jack Skinner returned to the right-wing spot for this fixture, Ty Knight dropping back to full back, while Rico Taylor started in midfield. The Swifts shuffled the players who’d represented them the previous Saturday, the only new face being Drew Canavan.

Amid much shouting and hand clapping, both teams got stuck in to a match which saw close fought duels all across the pitch throughout. Boldmere exerted all the early pressure, evoking a succession of fouls from the hard-pressed visitors, who must have been relieved to see a Lindsey cross float across their goal mouth, just inches from three attacking heads. After twelve minutes, Swifts had their first real attack - and scored. A ball down their right reached Nick MacPherson, who pushed it efficiently past the stranded Lewis Fenney. Once again, the Mikes’ defence had proved vulnerable to the quick, direct thrust. Thus encouraged, Stourport intercepted some home faffing about at the back, Canavan putting his effort just over the bar. The tide turned seven minutes later, however. MacPherson was lucky to get only a talking to after clattering Rico Taylor in the park’s middle. The resulting free kick was played back to Harry Craven, who kept the ball low to equalise. As was the case in the Vase, the Severnsiders came back with great determination, and were on top for the next quarter of an hour, Boldmere only showing on the break. 34 minutes in, Jim Hanson fluffed an easy chance for the Swifts. Played in by an incisive pass from Lewis Clarke, he tamely poked the ball into Fenney’s hands, to an “Ooh!” from the Stourport ladies. You wondered whether you’d just seen the game’s turning point; and your suspicions were confirmed only a minute later, when recent history repeated itself. Another free kick from deep found Harry Craven: this time, he smashed a curling shot through the defensive wall to edge the Mikes in front. As half time approached, Joe Lyng was comprehensively clobbered by Matt Fulloway and Drew Canavan just outside the box; but a long talking to was their only punishment.

The second period began in end-to-end fashion; but eleven minutes in, another turning point went the Mikes’ way. Joe Lyng definitely handled the ball as Boldmere were under pressure down the right; but opinion in the Stand was divided as to whether he’d done so in the box or not. The visitors were vehement in their assertions that he had; but referee and onlooking linesman Paul Sudbury were agreed that he hadn’t. Harry Craven was the first homester in the book for his handball; but the free kick was booted away. Mayhem reigned in the home rearguard for the next two minutes as the visitors turned the screw, relief eventually arriving when Jim Hanson fired high and wide. A crescent moon looked down as the visitors upped the pressure, Fenney having to smother the ball to relieve his nervous colleagues. At the three-quarter mark, Boldmere brought on Kyle Byrne, replacing Rico Taylor, to give the Mikes more weight in attack, while Chris Conway, who’d been a thorn in Boldmere’s side forty-eight hours previously, also entered the fray. For the first time in a well-mannered contest, things became a little heated, Boldmere perhaps escaping a booking because of Martin Slevin’s somewhat histrionic dive. Owen Parry, however, had his autograph taken, following a late tackle on substitute Mark Danks. With a quarter of an hour to go, Boldmere only had three men up for a free kick twenty yards from goal. Dominic Richards couldn’t hold the fizzer that was just inside his near post; and Jack Skinner was on hand to put the ball away. Four minutes later, a cross from the right was given a delightful glancing header by Skinner to make the score 4-1. Charlie Morris now came on to take over from Rikardo Reid, and as on Saturday, his speed down the wing could only be stopped by his shirt being pulled - this time, Chris Conway entering the book. Right on ninety minutes, Jack Burgess replaced Owen Parry as the Mikes comfortably played out a surprisingly short amount of added time. The final score flattered Boldmere; but while their initial deficit showed their continued inability to handle the direct thrust, they can take heart from scoring four good quality goals.

The Mikes: Lewis Fenney; Ty Knight; Barry Healey; Rico Taylor (Kyle Byrne 68); Harry Craven; Joe Lyng; Jack Skinner; Steve Palmer; Rikardo Reid (Charlie Morris 83); Owen Parry (Jack Burgess 90); Brad Lindsey. Subs not used: Sweeney; Harry Buttery; Taimoor Hussein; Sam Jeeves.
Stourport: Dominic Richards, Joe Hanson, James Timmins, Lewis Clarke, Matt Hanson, Matt Fulloway, Jim Hanson, Martin Slevin, Nick MacPherson, Drew Canavan, Lewis Platt. Subs: Matt Smith, Dan Tustin, Elliot Lees, Chris Conway, Mark Danks, Ryan Smith.