Hinckley LRFC 2-1 The Mikes

Despite the heavy rain of the previous few days the pitch looked near perfect as the Mikes sought to end a run of four defeats while the home side were looking to bounce back after two defeats on the road at Sporting Khalsa and Walsall Wood. Boldmere made five changes from the team defeated at league leaders Spalding United a week earlier. New signings Callum Smith and Ryan Boothe replaced Dan Moore and Andre Brown whilst Luke Carsley, Joe Daley and Tazivaishe Chibaya replaced suspended Ricardo Dudley, Bekir Halil and Finn Holmes. Ben Usher-Shipway returned as substitute after injury.
Having been on a bad run of results it was good to the Mikes moving the ball around confidently in all areas although it has to be said that the home sides lively wingers Andre Williams and Aaron Nuttall’s more direct approach caused the Mikes some anxious moments. Indeed, Carsley picked up an early booking for unceremoniously dumping Nuttall on the touchline. Smith in goal for the Mikes twice saved with his feet whereas at the other end goal bound strikes from the Mikes were blocked by Hinckley defenders as Will Highland went largely untested. It was Boldmere who broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. A Harry Sweeney corner from the left was flicked on by Owen Parry for skipper Harry Craven to blast home from close range at the far post. At this stage the lead was probably just about deserved but thoughts of an interval lead disappeared as the whistle approached. Tendai Daire held off Craven’s attentions before feeding Williams. The nippy forward advanced on goal, shot and produced a good save from Smith; however, the loose ball was bundled in by Dom Brennan for parity at half time.
The second half started in disastrous fashion as did the Spalding game a week earlier. A Chibaya throw in was booted upfield by Jarred Acton, Joe Hull headed out then Jack Byrne looked to head back to his keeper from some thirty-five yards out. Time seemed to stand still as Nuttall picked the loose ball advanced and fired past Smith to give Hinckley the lead. The goal caused heated debate amongst the Boldmere folk in attendance and is best left there. Ben Humphreys headed wide from a corner shortly afterwards and this was perhaps the best chance of the half other than the goal’
Manager Neil Kitching showed his intentions by removing full backs Carsley and Chibaya and replacing them with Usher-Shipway and Holmes some ten minutes later. To be fair the Mikes did have more of the territorial possession as the last half hour was played out but did not really look like getting an equaliser. Kaden May was a further late replacement for the tiring Daley and did get in a couple of crosses but the final whistle signalled another disappointing result.

Hinckley LRFC: Will Highland, Jarred Acton, Louie Gill, Ben Humphreys, Spencer Edwards, Nathan Astill, Andre Williams (Liam Read 65), Jordan Burrows, Tendai Daire, Dom Brennan, Aaron Nuttall. Subs not used: Jude Kutshienza, Callum Earls, Brogan Greenwood.
Boldmere St Michaels: Callum Smith, Luke Carsley (Ben Usher-Shipway 56), Tazivaishe Chibaya (Finn Holmes 56), Joe Hull, Harry Craven, Jack Byrne, Lewis Allison, Joe Daley (Kaden May 84), Ryan Boothe, Owen Parry, Harry Sweeney,
Subs not used: Andre Brown, Kai Knight