After a run of cup games with mixed fortunes, Boreham came into this league game hoping to build on their three previous league encounters with a with a much needed win to lift them up the table. St. Margarets have not had the best start to their season and look like they may be in the bottom half come the end of the season, so it was a great opportunity to grab all three points.
The team news was more encouraging from the previous three or four weeks and especially last week where Boreham could only just field a side. Welcomed back from last week were Adam and Jay Dale, De Vito, Simpson and Charter. Powell and Worthington were however not available.
A few tricky selection decisions were left for the management team, but the eleven that made the starting line up were McGlynn in goal, Parsons, Stammers, Simpson and Charter across the back, Goodchild, Rush, Carter and Smith in midfield and a strike partnership of Cowcher and Ince. This left a very strong bench of A Dale, J Dale and De Vito.
Boreham started the game well having the majority of possession and controlling the midfield. The visitors rarely troubled the Boreham defence in a one sided opening quarter of the game. Smith and Carter both got in to good positions on the wings on several occasions but Boreham just couldn’t find the opening goal their dominance deserved. Typically, completely against the run of play, the St Margarets front man pounced on a defensive error before slotting the ball past an advancing Magsy in goal to give the visitors the lead. The home side responded well and kept up their tempo before eventually drawing level 10 minutes before the break. The keeper had failed to deal with a cross and the ball ended up with Goodchild at the edge of the box with still plenty to do. The Gaffa flicked the ball up and planted a left footed half volley straight down the middle of the goal past the stranded St. Margarets defenders. Great goal and a well deserved leveller. 1-1 at half time.
One change at the break, Adam Dale, unlucky not to be in the starting eleven, was brought on in place of Ince who has still yet to recover from a niggling ankle injury picked up a few weeks ago. Just minutes in to the second half a true moment of magic was produced. A cross field ball from Smith picked out Dale. Dale’s first touch of the game was a cushioned touch on the edge of the box before he swivelled and unleashed an unstoppable left footed half volley from 25 yards leaving the keeper no chance. The crowd roared and Dale was swamped by him delighted teammates. Camerman Starling captured the incident to perfection which is now available for all to see on Facebook!
This was just what Boreham needed and they continued to push on from here. 15 minutes later they extended their lead with a great team move started and finished by Simpson. A few neat one twos before Simo picked out Smith on the left flank whose cut back was met by the Boreham centre back just inside the box to finish well past the keeper for 3-1. Still Boreham pushed on not satisfied with their two goal lead. This time it was MOM Charter’s turn to produce a great goal. The right back had bombed forward and collected a short pass from Dale before skipping a couple of challenging and toe poking the ball into the corner of the net passed the advancing keeper. 4-1 and the game surely wrapped up.
Jay Dale and De Vito came on in place of Carter and Cowcher and the home side still looked in total control. But to St Margarets credit the upped their game in search of a fight back. Some poor defending let in the forward to bag his and his teams second goal of the game with a good effort from outside the box which beat Magsy at his near post for 4-2. Then, a bit of a scramble in Boreham’s area found the feet of the St. Margaret’s winger and his shot deflected in and through Magsy’s legs for a slightly fortuitous third for the visitors. With still around 10 minutes to go, it looked like being a nervy end to the game.
Boreham shut up shop and played out the last few minutes well to hold on for the three points with a well deserved 4-3 victory. Perhaps the scoreline flattered St. Margarets a bit as on reflection of the game and chances created this should have been a more comfortable win for the hosts. Nevertheless, the important three points bagged, a couple of wonder goals and a decent all round performance to boot getting themselves back to winning ways.
Next week its Brendans turn to visit the Rec and they will be looking to avenge their 9-1 preseason friendly defeat from August. A strong Boreham squad is expected so some selection dilemmas lie in wait for Gaffa’s Gooders and Smith.
