Boythorpe continued the pre season run without the influence of manager Dave Bennett, who was on the first leg of his European tour. They travelled the long distance into the Peak District to take on unknown outfit Bradwell Sports. Right from the start it was a selection headache with both goalkeepers unavailable.
Boythorpe started brightly on a hard pitch, and probably one of the biggest we will ever play on, under a baking hot sun. Within 4 mins however, a good ball up the wing found in form Widerman, but his smart cross just evaded the on rushing Wright. While at the other end a weaving run by a Bradwell midfielder was halted by a great tackle by Whitehead. Widerman was causing problems with his strong running but disaster struck when he pulled up with a back injury and had to be replaced on 12 mins by Scott Bennett.
Within a minute a quickly taken Bradwell free kick sailed just over the visitors crossbar. Straight back up the other end Wright won the visitors a corner that was met at the near post by the same man but Wright couldnt quite direct his header goalwards. Brown went close after 22 mins as Boyhtorpe threatened to turn the pressure into goals. It was Bradwell however who took the lead after first going close on 25 when stand in keeper Bettney made a smart double save, but was powerless a minute later as Brown lost the ball out on the right, leaving Higginbottom marking 2 men, the ball was crossed in low, and as he was attempting to clear it, the ball struck Miles on the shin and went straight to a Bradwell attacker who fired low into the net.
Bradwell almost added to thier lead on 34, Higginbottom was turned by his man, who fired in a shot that was smartly tipped over by Bettney.Boythorpe pulled level on 39 mins, Whitehead found BROWN, who pushed forward before releasing a shot that struck a defender, sending it over the keeper and into he net. HALF TIME Bradwell Sports...1 Boythorpe...1.
Soon after the restart Bradwell almost regained the lead, when a ball over the visitors back four was not cleared, but the striker pulled his shot wide. Boythorpe began to push forward with the influence of the Walton brothers very apparent, and it was PAUL WALTON who raced forward after 56 mins before clipping a shot round the diving keeper and just inside the post for 2-1. Bradwell were not giving up the game easilly and missed a couple of chances forcing Boythorpe back, before they raced through on 64 minutes, and although Bettney got a hand to the shot, he couldnt keep the ball out, and the scores were level again.
The turning point came a minute later, as Bradwell threatened to take the game, a free kick was given away 22 yards out, and although the free kick was well struck past the wall, Bettney appeared from nowhere, and at full stretch tipped the ball round the post for a corner. This again spurred the visitors forward and they began to take control and a fine crossfield pass by Lee Walton found his brother Paul, but he hurried his shot and pulled it wide.
With 10 mins remaining, a ball into the box caused a goalmouth scramble before it fell to WRIGHT who fired home to put the visitors into the lead again. On 83 mins Miles bcame off to be replaced by Johnson, Higginbottom moved to centre half and within 2 mins Higginbottom chased down a loose ball from a corner, before clipping in a fine cross that a defender headed in over his keeper. FINAL SCORE Bradwell Sports..2 Boythorpe...4
