Boythorpe's New Managment duo opted for a 4-4-2 formation due to injuries, illness, and other matters cut the squad down to just 13 players for the visit of White Swan Reserves to Langer Lane at the weekend. Ex Manager Neil Hollindale who has taken up the whistle was given the job of referee for the game to add a twist to the procedings.
Boythorpe were almost caught out straight from the kick off as White Swan won a throw in the first attack of the game but the striker shot wide. In the 3rd min a header from Lee Whitehead found Wright who was tackled on the edge of the White Swan box before he could get a shot away, and from the clearance Potter raced from his goal to thwart a Swan attack. Boythorpe were getting into the game now, and a free kick from Brown was scrambled clear and on 7 mins good work by Widerman and Goodwin came to nothing as his shot bobbled wide. On 9 mins a Goodwin throw found the head of Wright, but the keeper punched clear.
On the quarter hour, great work out on the left wing by Brown as he weaved through the Swan back line before cutting the ball across to Widerman, but his shot was pushed wide for a corner. On 20 mins White Swan almost took an undeserved lead as Brown dwelt on the ball, and was robbed out on the right wing, the ball was crossed into the box and Whitehead made the tackle of the season, robbing the Swan striker ON the Boythorpe GOAL LINE.
White Swan eventually took the lead on 25 mins, somewhat against the run of play, a corner from the right was headed clear by P.Walton to the edge of the box, and was met by a White Swan striker, who although didnt connect well saw his shot go through a crowded area, giving Potter no chance. Boythorpe kept making chances, and at times White Swan were HANGING ON as Widerman, L.Walton, Brown and Goodwin kept pushing for an equalizer. On 42 mins Boythorpe were reduced to 10 men as Brown seemed to have his foot stamped on as he attacked a corner whipped in, the skipper reacted and the Ref showed him a straight RED, leaving Boythorpe with a mountain to climb in the 2nd half. HALF TIME Boythorpe..0 White Swan Reserves..1
Boythorpe opted for a 3-4-2 in the 2nd half with P.Walton coming out of defence to push up the left wing, with Widerman dropping from striker to central midfield and L.Walton going up front to partner Wright in attack. Boythorpe now kicking uphill went in search of an equalizer straight from the off, and were soon causing the visitors PLENTY of problems. P.Walton and brother Lee were a constant thorn in the visitors side as most of the attacks were comig up the left wing.
Boythorpe thought they had equalised as a corner was whipped in and a shot CANNONED off the visitors cross bar and out again. Potter was a spectator for most of the half as it seemed lke one way traffic, wave after wave of Boythorpe pressure was soaked up by the visitors defence. Any White Swan attack was mopped up expertly by Whitehead who took a few knocks for his troubles, but to his great credit managed to stay on for the whole match, new captain Hardy and man of the match Higginbottom, who in the 70th min put through a raking ball over the top for LEE WALTON to run onto, he kept his head and beat the advancing keeper expertly to make it 1-1.
As the game drew to a close Wright thought he had won the game for Boythorpe, but his shot hit the post and went to safety. White Swan w3ere clearly the happier team when the final whistle sounded as the 10 men of Boythorpe really showed thier mettle.
FINAL SCORE Boythorpe...1 White Swan Reserves...1
