Boythorpe suffered a massive hangover, from the previous nights celebrations, in the 9th and last pre season game, against North Star at Moor Lane Bolsover. Injuries were begining to take thier toll, and Benny ordered one or two to be rested in preparation for the big kick off in a fortnights time. Returning to the line up was midfield dynamo Shaun Goodwin who had missed the last 7 games through injury, and a start for defenders John Johnson and Phil Lawrence.
The blues, for the 2nd week running were caught cold from the kick off, as North Star, with ex Boythorpe captain, Damion Turner amongst thier ranks went straight on the attack. It was obvious from the first attack Phil Lawrence wasnt quite fit as it was down his side of the field the first goal came after 2 mins. Lawrence was substituted a minute later when he pulled up with a hamstring pull and Whitehead took his place. Boythorpe started to get into the game moments later and began to carve out a few chances of thier own.
The equaliser came on 12 minutes, the busy Scott Bennett squared a lovley ball for WRIGHT to slam past the keeper for 1-1. Boythorpe then took a deserved lead as North Star struggled to handle the Blues front two. Great work by the industrious Bonson found Shane Bennett, who slipped in WRIGHT and he did the rest drawring the keeper before floating a lovley ball over him and into the net. Johnson was substituted after 23mins as he struggled to cope with the pace and runs of Turner, and last weeks goalscoring debutant Megyesi went out onto the wing.
Within 3 mins North Star drew level, a soft free kick was awarded 22 yards from the Boythorpe goal, and although Furniss lined up his wall well the free kick was floated over, and in off the far post to make it 2-2. Just before the half hour mark disaster struck again when a harmless looking low cross from the right was allowed to go under Goodwins foot to a waiting striker who stabbed the ball in from 3 yards. Although Boythorpe toiled to get back into the game that remained the score till the break. HALF TIME North Star..3 Boythorpe..2.
Lee Walton came on for Scott Bennett at the break as he needed to be given some protection as the injuries started to roll in. Boythorpe had the better of the early exchanges after the break, within a minute great work by Wright found Megyesi who had been pushed up front, but he shot harmlessly wide. On 50 mins a smart shot on the turn by Megyesi was parried by the keeper, but he recovered to grab the loose ball. After that for the next 23 mins it was all North Star as they took a complete strangle hold on the game, and made it look easy. first a shot on 51 mins crashed against Furniss's crossbar, then within a minute a cross into the Blues box wasnt dealt with and the striker headed home unchallenged for 4-2.
The softest penalty EVER was awarded on 54 mins, when the referee who was being assesed, (dont hold your breath pal, you aint gonna be a fifa ref on that showing fella) adjudged Whitehead to have brought the North Star striker down (never). The penalty was smashed home and Brown was replaced by Miles with Wright taking over the captains arm band. 5-2 became 6-2 within 3 mins as a shot come cross was floated in from the left wing and decieved Furniss. It was damage limitation now for Boythorpe, but they toiled away and were unlucky but the breaks didnt come thier way. Thier noses were rubbed in the dirt further on 73 mins when the most obvious foul ever on Furniss went unpunished and the striker scored with ease. (this didnt go unnoticed by the assesers, who started scribbling furiously) This gave the score a rather flattering and undeserved look about it. FULL TIME North Star..7 Boythorpe...2
