BORO RED TOPS SHOOT THEMSELVES IN THE FOOT

It was the day we’d been waiting for. After a testing season, constantly proving ourselves against tough opposition it all culminated in a title-winning match against Old Thortonians. A victory here and we could see ourselves topping the table. With good weather, a good-sized pitch and a strong squad, all the ingredients were there for a stellar game of football.

The game started brightly, both teams pressing, forcing mistakes. OTs immediately showed what football they were going to play, as long ball after long ball was whacked up to the aerial predators upfront. But, while there were several probing runs nothing that could rattle the Boro back four. The Boro pushed forward creating the better chances, but as often has been the case this season not being clinical. Several chances had missed the target until a corner fell to Youngman on the edge of the area. With a mass of bodies in front, hit a hopeful left footed shot towards goal. Blocked by the goalkeeper, only to fall to the feet of Butler, who immediately stroked into the goal hole. 1-0 Boro the start we wanted. But no, the referee blows. Offside. Was it? Had he caved to the calls of OTs? Could he really see through all those bodies? We will never know. But it didn’t count. That we did know.

Very little was separating the sides. Boro were unusually careless in possession, a nervous nature to the game, usual passes being missed but nothing leading to a threatening chance. Until, another long hoof. A hopeful punt chased down by OTs on the left. A surprise cross and number 4 had ran himself free to head home. 1-0.

Half-time came and went, another rousing speech by the maestro, but the nerves still seem to be there. Little changed as the game went on. We probed, tested, but created no major chances. Another hopeful long ball by OTs was worked out as a corner. The ball came in and again we were caught sleeping. An OT defender found himself free at the back and headed at the goal, bouncing off the feet of a Boro player and falling into the net. 2-0.

Alas, it was not meant to be. Maybe it was the big occasion, maybe nerves got to us, maybe it was just Boro doing a Boro. But we weren’t the same team that has performed so well throughout the season. We will look back on this as a huge opportunity missed.
Now we look forward to the bigger challenge. 12 unanswered goals in the next two games. It can be done. We have the quality. Time for the Mighty Boro 2s to shine!