BOLDMERE St. MICHAELS F.C. 1 vs 0 MINWORTH FC

On a gorgeous morning for football at the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground, Boldmere knew that they were in for a tough encounter against a very good Minworth side. Having previuosly lost 5-0 to their opponents Boldmere knew that nothing but their best would suffice if they were to achieve their goal of a cup final.......That is exactly what happened as the 'Bulldogs' performed magnificently as a team to grab a well earned 1-0 victory and make their first ever Cup final appearance.

The game started and Minworth were soon into their stride playing some neat short, crisp passing football. However, Boldmere never allowed then the time and space to create much with their high intensity pressing game and the whole team defending from the front. Boldmere started to find their feet and some neat passing exchanges were finding space for the dangerous O'Connor up front. A half clearance from a corner was narrowly vollyed over from skipper Paul Brady as Boldmere pressed for a goal and then a brilliant move ended with Liam Hannon's excellent slide rule pass which found O'Connor, but the Minworth keeper was equal to the task to push his effort wide. Rich Leighton in the Boldmere goal was called upon late in the half making a smart save from a Minworth player. Half time 0-0.

The second half started much the same as the first half had finished. O'Connor broke the offside trap in the 50th minute, but was once again foiled by a great save by the Minworth keeper. The whole Boldmere team were on top of their games. Paul Brady, Rich McCausland and Chris Dawber were winning the tough midfield battle, Chris O'Brien and Michael Dossett were marshaling their opponents well and the back three of Adam Mills, John Haycock and Paul Davis were like a brick wall. Up top the clever hold up play and selfless running of Liam Hannon and Che O'Connor was stretching the Minworth rearguard to the max. John Haycock's presence at corners was proving a real threat with three Minworth players marking him at every corner. In the 57th minute, from one such corner, the ball broke wide, the hard working Brady chased it and spun and whipped in a brilliant cross, John Haycock's header was blocked and the ball fell to Liam Hannon who poked a short pass for man of the match Michael Dossett to gleefully ram home! Minworth huffed and puffed but the 'Bulldogs' were resolute in defence. With a little more luck it could have been more goals for Boldmere as Che O'Connors effort was cleared off the line and Rich McCausland stung the crossbar after clever play by substitute James Duff.

A fantastic and well deserved result for Boldmere who now face FC Sportsmans in the final, knowing that another top draw performance is required to lift the trophy.

Next week the 'Bulldogs' face another critical and tough game in their quest for the title when they face title rivals Halfway reserves at home. Boldmere know that nothing but their best form will do in this encounter.

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