The Mikes 4-0 Cambridge City

Have the Mikes now put behind them the woes of their pre-season players’ exit? On this performance, it could be so. In the end, they were worth their margin; and it could have been more. They got off to a positive start, going ahead after only six minutes. Four minutes previously, the visiting defence had conceded a yellow card, Owen Parry’s shirt being pulled as he was clean through. This didn’t put our striker off, as he fired home from close in. Boldmere were now connecting together nicely, but at times seemed inclined to gift their opponents an equaliser. Sloppy passes gave the ball away unnecessarily, and the visitors realised they were in with a chance of an equaliser. With the quarter mark just gone, some mazy Bruce Tsinonis footwork had the home defence backpedalling. His pass reached danger man Stefan Broccoli - and his wicked curling twenty yarder was on its way in - until an unsighted Callum Smith pulled off a brilliant save to push it around the corner. Immediately, Ben Usher-Shipway was dribbling towards the other goal, “Oohs” arising from the crowd as desperate defence somehow scrambled the ball away. Soon, left winger Daniel Cotton seemed to be bearing down inexorably on the Boldmere goal; but determined defence managed to repel him. Near the half hour, midfielder Liam Chadwick was hit by a full bloodied volley at close quarters, and had to be substituted. Joe Hull was now making his way through the City box - and was hacked down from behind. Parry’s penalty wasn’t of the best, Joe Welch getting his hand to it; but the power of the shot carried it into the net: 2-0. Each net then survived a close shave before a five man move found its way to Parry, who turned his man to fire in for his, and Boldmere’s, third, two minutes before the break. Half time: 3-0.
Would Boldmere sit back on their lead in the second period? Cambridge, the Saturday before, had scored four after the interval, after being behind at half time. Was the introduction of two half time substitutes made in hopes of a repeat performance? Fortunately, the Mikes went for more, a Parry header tipped over with only four minutes gone, followed immediately by Ross Evans swerving one just wide of the frame. The hour gone; Evans got the ball wide of the post. His cross was hammered home by Usher-Shipway from close in, to make it 4-0. To their credit, Cambridge continued to play football; but, pressing to claw a way back into the game, they were vulnerable to the accurate long ball from the back, and really, Boldmere should have scored more. Usher-Shipway could have had a hat trick, and Parry might have bagged a fourth, had they not hesitated before pulling the trigger. Throughout, sound input from established players was complemented by quality play from new faces. Let’s hope this match heralds a climb up the table.

Boldmere St Michaels: Callum Smith; Luke Carsley (Lewis Allison 45); Kai Knight; Joe Hull; Harry Craven; Jack Byrne (Callum Gittings 84); Ben Usher-Shipway; Joe Daley; Owen Parry; Ross Evans (Johnny Johnston 72); Harry Sweeney.
Subs. not used: Andre Brown; Ryan Boothe.
Cambridge City: Joe Welch; Alex Kerr; Jake Battersby; Liam Chadwick (George Scales 30); Richard Black; Kymani Skyers; Bruce Tsinosis; Scott Bridges; Brad Rolt (Stan Leech 45); Stefan Broccoli; Daniel Cotton (Mikey Davies 45).
Subs. not used: Gene Ghag; Joe Hood.