Back on Track
After a weeks break from action the first team were chomping at the bit to get on the pitch and to make up for the disappointing performance against Foxash two weeks previously.
Changes were made by the management duo of Thompson and Fowler, with Ben Harrison coming in at right wing back and Jamie Bradbury moving up front to replace the unfortunate Dowde who had been the victim of administration in a former life. Charlie Osborne returned in the centre midfield berth with the rest of the team unchanged.
The game started lively with both teams showing their early intension’s for attacking play, Gosfield came close with a header that went wide and then Bradbury was unlucky to see his shot come back off the bar. Boxted levels of intensity were good and they were not giving Gosfield any time to settle on the ball. Harrison and Trueman were causing problems with their pace on the wings and it was the latter who was involved in the first goal. The predator caused confusion down the left and from nowhere Graham ‘touch tackle’ McCarthy arrived in the box, he rounded a defender with ease and dispatched the ball in the back of the net and to show everyone he does have a first touch and some!
Usually a goal could cause Boxted to sit back, but there was a real desire going through the team. Unfortunately Grey came off injured after a niggle from training. This let Andy Hart back in the first team fold and the hitman did not disappoint. He was instantly in the game playing a long ball down the line which caused confusion between the right back and keeper and Bradders was on hand to coolly take advantage a put the ball into the empty net.
Gosfield also went close with a good move, but Ford flung himself to make a great block to snuff out the danger.
Later in the half Boxted had two penalty appeals turned down one noteably on Hume. Boxted should have made it three after good work from Osborne but Trueman somehow headed over from a few yards, rumours were circulating that the tea cossie he wore pre-match had an impact, but these were unconfirmed.
Half time Two-nil to Boxted
The second half started with Boxted looking to keep it tight early on and Dean and Elliott were growing in strength supported by Harty. The team seamed hungry and some twinkle toes in the box by Bingo Harrison committed the Gosfield player into a rash foul, Bradders dually accepted the invitation and dispatched the penalty for the perfect start to the half. Boxted then kept the ball well and had no need to force the game anymore and created a few half chances.
The fourth and final goal came when Gosfield pushed up to the halfway line to try and nullify Taff’s kick, but he took a little juice off it and Bradders sprung the offside trap like a Cheetah on red bull to lob the stranded visiting keeper, to complete his Hatrick and to move closer to the Humey in the goal scoring charts.
To their credit Gosfield didn’t lay down and die and had some good possession in the last fifteen minutes, but Boxted stayed strong and were not in the mood to give up their clean sheet and the introduction of Clarke and Diego Driver added some extra impetuous to the Boxted side.
The final whistle and a performance which would have pleased all, it is hard to single out individuals in such a great team performance but Graham McCarthy was a never ending engine in midfield and credit to Bradders for a classy Hat-trick and also Andy Hart just adapting straight to the situation of first team action again.
Was it because Fowler had threatened to not give new track tops and polo shirts to the lads if they played like at Foxash again? This is unlikely but again the sponsorship to pay for these items is much appreciated by the lads.
