The Mikes 5-1 Gresley Rovers

Things began on a solemn note. Youth development supremo Nick Heath had died suddenly, aged 51, during the week, and a minute’s applause was given before kick-off. Two new faces featured in Boldmere colours: former Walsall Wood and Hednesford keeper Kieran Boucher appeared as the Club’s fifth custodian this season, while George Washbourne, who only last week we saw playing for visitors Coleshill, came into the midfield. Owen Parry was restored to a front running role, Andre Brown not featuring until the end was in view. This spring’s incessant rain was having a rest, and the afternoon was bathed in benign sunshine.

The Moatmen looked to be a half-decent team, despite their lowly position, and nippy winger Charlie Knowles was giving Kai Knight plenty to think about. In contrast to the previous week’s meagre fare, an entertaining end-to-end contest unfolded. The Mikes were alternating between complex passing and long punts in Owen’s direction. Though having slightly less possession, the visitors were having attempts at goal, John King and Connor Pace eliciting diving saves from Boucher. King kept cropping up all along the front line, Boucher denying him on his left-hand post, another twenty-yard effort saved to the right. The old Millwall maxim, “There’s nothing wrong with kick and rush, if it’s good kick and good rush”, showed its truth on the half hour. A long, accurate pass across the park found King, who beat his marker to fire home from fifteen yards. This, and further accurate service to King, seemed to wake the Mikes up, Washbourne being only inches away from converting an incisive Parry centre. The opposition had two men marking the dangerous Johnny Johnston, his dribbles often ending at the fourth pair of tackling legs. On the stroke of half time, however, he fed Parry, who fired home from eighteen yards out. Half time: 1-1.

Boldmere continued in a higher gear after the break, putting more effort into disrupting their opponents’ rhythm. After Lewis Allison had nearly headed a Johnston feeder in, it was pinball time in the Gresley goalmouth on 52 minutes, Johnston finally pushing the ball netwards. Seven minutes later, clear water was appearing between the two teams. A long ball out of defence found Daniel Gyasi, who cut inside and scored from near the box’s corner. What had been an enjoyable game took an unpleasant turn with an hour to go, Jack Byrne going down under a hefty challenge. Heavy handbags were instantly swung, and three long minutes passed as our officials carefully compared notes. Gresley full back Harley Kozluk was sent off for an excellent right hook which flattened Gyasi - and Gyasi accompanied him, presumably for whatever he’d been flattened for! The Moatmen looked rather shaken when this episode was past, while Boldmere began to play out time, extended passing interspersed with forays upfield, from which two more goals resulted. A slick passing move between Owen and Usher-Shipway ended with Washbourne glancing the ball home with twenty minutes left, and Parry soon converted a penalty after Johnston had been floored. With both teams wanting to save legs for Easter Monday’s encounters, substitutes arrived in queues. Callum Gittings spent long periods waiting for passes that never arrived, while comedy reigned when Gresley replacement Ethan Goodfellow was awarded a foul for falling over his own feet! It was almost six right at the death, Andre Brown nearly heading in a Johnston cross. You wouldn’t have predicted a four-goal margin from the opening exchanges; but sometimes, it turns out to be your day.

Boldmere St Michaels: Kieran Boucher; Lewis Allison; Kai Knight (Callum Ballinger, 74); Joe Hull; Harry Craven; Jack Byrne (Andre Brown, 80); Johnny Johnston; George Washbourne; Owen Parry; Ben Usher-Shipway (Callum Gittings, 73); Daniel Gyasi.
Subs. not used: Tommy Jackson; Callum North.
Gresley Rovers: Louie Turner; Harley Kozluk; Joshua Egginton; Dylan Hunniford (Jonathan Dawkins, 86); Marc Strzyzewski; Martin Smyth; Charlie Knowles; Connor Pace; Richard Hanslow (Nathan Banton, 73); Jack Ekins-Tyson; John King (Ethan Goodfellow, 80).
Subs. not used: Jenson Cooper.