Stourport Swifts 2-1 The Mikes

The Swifts gained quick revenge for Saturday’s reverse at Church Road when like Boldmere at the weekend coming from behind to clinch victory in the final minute of this cup tie. The home side made just one change in the starting personnel whilst Neil Kitching chose to use five different starters from the win two days previously. A significant change saw young Owen Bennett partnering ‘veteran’ Harry Craven in the centre of defence with Joe Lyng leading the attack.

In an entertaining first half Boldmere had the better of the chances; Lyng made a forceful run into the box but tumbled before getting his shot away, it looked a penalty but the referee deemed a dive and booked the big man for his troubles. Harry Craven and Joe Lyng should have done better from right wing corners whilst Kyle Byrne was foiled by a brilliant last-ditch tackle as he was about to pull the trigger. Lewis Fenney saved well from a Mark Danks free kick but the defence looked solid despite being tested down both flanks. Would Boldmere regret their profligacy?

Indeed, they would. Despite taking the lead on fifty-five minutes when Kyle Byrne netted at the second attempt, they were forced onto the defensive for long periods of the second half. Jack Skinner and Stephen Palmer replaced Lyng and Jack Burgess as the midway point approach but these two were unable to restore the balance of play. Passes were going astray regularly and needless free kicks added to the pressure on a back four that coped admirably for the most part. Skinner might have doubled the lead but was foiled by Dominic Richards in an isolated Mikes attack. With about twelve minutes on the clock Daniel O’Sullivan conceded a free kick on the touchline. Martin Slevin fired it into the box, gathering pace of the wet pitch it struck Craven on the arm. To the chagrin of the defender a penalty was awarded and Jack Downing fired home centre of goal as Fenney dived to his right. If a winner was going to arrive it looked more likely to be in Swifts favour as they swarmed forward and sure enough it arrived in the final minute. The dangerous Danks finding room to cross from the right wing and an unmarked Downing notched his second with a firm header.

A disappointing night after a bright first half and an early lead in the second leaves just the league bread and butter plus the defence of The Walsall Senior Cup.

The Mikes: Lewis Fenney, Brandon Williams, Harry Sweeney, Brad Lindsey, Harry Craven, Owen Bennett, Kaden May, Kyle Byrne (Luke Shearer 77), Jakob Burroughs, Joe Lyng (Jack Skinner 60), Jack Burgess (Stephen Palmer 67) Daniel O’Sullivan. Subs not used: James Medford