Cambridge City 0-4 The Mikes

Boldmere made the lengthy trip to the home of St Ives Town FC looking to complete a double over Cambridge City who were defeated at Church Road back in November by 4-0. By the end of proceedings, a replica of the earlier result was achieved although in truth the difference between the sides on the day could have resulted in a much bigger win. The windy conditions on the 3g pitch were not necessarily conducive to controlled football but increasingly as events unfolded the Mikes looked impressive.

With the wind at their backs in the first half an early speculative strike by Owen Parry from some fifty yards out caught Kacper Kurylowicz napping and he was relieved to see the long-range effort drift just wide. The home side suffered an early setback when striker Stefan Broccoli collapsed in the centre circle with a damaged knee and left the action after fourteen minutes being replaced by Bruce Tsinonis. As expected with the conditions the Mikes held the territorial advantage but strong defending by Richard Black and Taylor Parr prevented an early breakthrough. A George Wasbourne effort after some skilful penalty trickery saw the recent signing striker hit the right-hand post and Kurylowicz made a couple of good stops before the floodgates opened with just eight minutes to go before the interval. It was Washbourne who made the breakthrough teasing three defenders before curling a left footed strike into the top corner. A minute later Johnny Johnston who spent most of the afternoon teasing his opponents was tumbled for a blatant penalty that was comfortably despatched by Parry – his 25th goal of the season. Two almost became three as Parry slid in to convert another Johnston cross but the effort was ruled out for offside to the amazement of the Mikes followers. It was three moments later as Washbourne notched his second of the afternoon as the game entered stoppage time.

Defending the strong wind in the second half it was important not to concede an early goal. The hosts did see more of the ball in the opening exchanges and forced several corners without seriously troubling the Mikes rearguard or goalkeeper. Indeed, by the final whistle a first clean sheet in thirteen games had been achieved. As the game progressed Boldmere played some lovely possession football, inventive from midfield and dangerous down both flanks where Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera and Harry Sweeney supplemented the unstinting efforts of Ben Usher-Shipway and Johnston. It was a surprise that there was only one further addition to the score; City centre back Richard Black turning a Johnston cross into his own net in the 74th minute to complete an emphatic win.

Is a top ten finish feasible? On paper the final three games look winnable but a lot depends on the results of the five teams above the Mikes as the season enters the final straight.

Cambridge City: Kacper Kurylowicz, George Scales (Ben Garwood 45), Kyle Boyce (Trey Charles 64), Ed Tassell, Richard Black, Taylor Parr, Brad Rolt, Johnny Herd, Ryan Ingrey, Stefan Broccoli (Bruce Tsinonis 14), Pharrell Anderson.
Subs not used: Caleb Chandler, Alex Kerr.
Boldmere St Michaels: Kieran Boucher, Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera, Harry Sweeney, Joseph Hull, Harry Craven (Callum Ballinger 86), Jack Byrne, Callum Gittings (Callum North 79), George Washbourne, Owen Parry, Ben Usher-Shipway, Johnny Johnston.
Subs not used: Andre Brown, Tommy Jackson, Pierre Phillips.