Town welcomed highly fancied Mountnessing Boca to Love Lane on Saturday on another hot sunny day more suited to a barbeque and a few beers. With new signing Nicky Evans injured and Wiggy unavailable, Flighty, Lee Humphrey and new signing Andy Martin were brought in and youngsters Brad Merrick and Matt Macedo dropped to the bench – in truth it was pick any 3 from 9 to leave out from the previous week. There were also welcome returns for Dave Martin after injury and Lodgey finally honoured us with his presence after completing his rigorous pre-season training regime with the Inbredstone Darts club; these two also took their place on the bench.

Town didn’t settle well and the early stages of the game were dominated by Boca but some superb defending by Preecy, Ready and Mark Neal kept them at bay. At the other end Town didn’t really look threatening as they were playing a bit too much long ball which was gobbled up by the Boca defenders with ease. Town then settled and the game was more even for the next 10 minutes but then Boca took the lead, when their top striker, Suavi latched onto a through ball and chipped the advancing Chris Neal 0-1. A few minutes later, Town conceded a penalty which Chris Neal almost saved but the power of the shot enabled the ball to creep over the line 0-2. A few minutes later Boca looked certain to score again when the ball broke loose in the Town penalty area just 5 yards out, and right in the middle of the goal, but first of all Andy Allen made a miraculous and very brave block and then Chris Neal made a superb instinctive save from the rebound – a match turning incident. After last weeks drubbing it would have been easy for Town to drop their heads a bit at this stage on the basis of “here we go again” but to their credit they showed great strength of character, started to shorten the game down and passed and moved the ball around well and ended up having the better of the remainder of the half, without it has to be said looking particularly threatening at this stage. Half time 0-2 and overall Boca had the better of the first half. There was no reason for panic at half time as Town were playing OK when they had the ball but it was suggested that we shorten the game down, be patient and be better when Boca had the ball as we weren’t shutting them down quickly enough, allowing them too much time on the ball.

Right from the start of the second half Town’s improvement was noticeable and they were definitely back in the game. After about 14 minutes Andy Allen, not content with making miraculous goal saving tackles at one end decided to push forward and slammed home a first time finish from the edge of the box 1 - 2. Dave Martin replaced Ready who turned his ankle. It was now all Town and as so often happens, the team that was comfortable, Boca, started to panic as their lead was under threat and they started giving the ball away. Town poured forward and with the midfield of Andy Allen, Flighty, Andy Martin and Lee Humphrey dominant it looked like an equaliser could come at any time. Sure enough a few minutes later Town were awarded a clear cut penalty. Polley who is still trying to get his match fitness after a groin injury picked up in pre season stepped up and slotted the ball home with comfort – 2-2. Against such a good side it was now “stick or twist” time – do we press on for the win or do we take the point – no contest – go for it - and Town could quite easily have won the game in the remaining minutes; Flighty was now bossing the midfield and was magnificent and Jeaters strong running was causing all sorts of problems. There were three main chances; First of all Polley turned the Boca defender inside out, but dragged his shot wide, Polley then again found some space and drilled a low shot from the edge of the box agonisingly wide and then Lee Humphrey hit an absolute screamer from 25 yards that, with the keeper helpless, went inches wide of the upright. Headon who although not at his majestic best still worked very hard succumbed to a “hammy” with a few minutes left and was replaced by young Brad Merrick. The final minutes were a bit tense as Boca put the Town goal under pressure, but with Mark Neal and Preecy winning headers and tackles for fun the defence held firm without any scares. This was a much improved performance against one of the strongest sides in the league.

Player of the match this week is Flighty who, with his new found fitness levels was quite superb.

El Col