Team – Addington, Lawson, Trueman, Gray, Ford, Sturdy, Osborne, Richards, Price, Bradbury, Hume (c)
Subs – Congdon, McCarthy, A Driver
Boxted this week travelled to Gosfield for a huge match in the league calendar. The changes were that Charlie actually replaced a player who went on holiday (well only for a week till Judith Chalmers is off again!). Price dropped back into midfield with skipper Hume coming back up front, with Josh just missing out.
With DNP playing 90 minutes for the reserves and Tommo forgetting the kit and wishing he was still moving boxes (for some reason?) the build up was a little later than usual but the lads were fortunately up for the game when kick off was due. Boxted could have been one down in the first minute when their number 10 poked a shot wide but then they settled down and controlled the half in most places. Ford, Gray and Sturdy were being given lots of time to calmly bring the ball out from the back and then to get the moves flowing and chances were being made. Bradbury was unlucky to see his shot come off a post and also fired just wide on another chance created. Price and Osborne were positively buzzing in midfield and were dictating the play and also assisting Richards in protecting the back three. Although Boxted were in the ascendancy Gosfield were still a threat. From a corner a great volley from the edge of the box was acrobatically tipped over the bar from Taff. Gosfield also went close on the next corner and Taff was again called into action. 5 minutes later Gosfield took the lead, a slack ball from Ford gave the ball away cheaply and their number 10 bore down on goal and was allowed to shoot from the edge of the box, but in fairness a great finish to put the ball away in the corner.
Within a minute Boxted had levelled, straight from the kick off Price and Trueman combined to set up Hume who slid in Bradbury to net via a wicked deflection (but we will give him the goal as he is a bit conscious about his weight at the moment). Boxted got a vital second before half time, Hume again was a threat and his pace reached the ball first for the centre half to up end him for a penalty. Price stepped up to dispatch the penalty for Boxted to go in at half time 2-1 to the good.
The second half – Unfortunately a hamstring issue forced Bradbury off at half time. McCarthy came on in midfield and Price went up front. Gosfield came out of the traps and to be fair dominated the first 20 minutes. They should have equalised as they had to pretty much open goal opportunities which they wasted. At the other end Hume could have finished the game but his header went over the bar. Trueman also whipped in a good ball which just missed his outstretched boot.
Gosfield equalised via a free kick, the initial one was blocked but Gosfield’s number 10 smashed in the re-bound for a quality second and to draw the scores level. At this stage Thompson changed the Boxted shape and this paid dividends. Congdon came on for Richards and Boxted started to push on. Congdon was causing problems down the right with support from Gray and Lawson and Trueman also started to cause havoc down the left. Congdon went on a run and Osborne did well to support him to put in a great cross near post which Hume empathically finished with his head. Boxted then added a forth, good work by Hume down the right and he rifled in a ball to which Trueman scored a quality finish from the left edge of the box into the top corner. Diego then replaced the hobbling Trueman to shore up the left hand side. A few more chanced were created and McCarthy nearly beat half the Gosfield team on a run but did not quite get his shot away.
In the end a very good three points at a tough team but great character shown by all the playing staff and management on the day. Hume was back to his best up front and Osborne put in a great performance in midfield aided by Price in the first half. Sturdy again played a mature game above his years at the back, but the most important thing was the side looked, played and dug in as a team which is always the most pleasing aspect.
