Neil Jenkins returned to the starting
Boro XI after completing his 'extended' suspension .v.
Hayes & Yeading. His arrival back on the pitch was
timely as Danny Brown was forced to sit out this game
.v. his ex employers - a 2 game ban starting for 10 'yellows'
this season.
'Jenks' marked his return with an early
low skidding effort; gathered easily by Danny Potter in
the United goal. Danny Knowles was forced into a fine
save after 4 minutes as a low shot from close range was
parried; Joe Benjamin immediately into a fast break but
a wayward finish from 20 + yards came to naught. On 14
minutes, having dominated the opening exchanges, Boro
got their noses in front. A fine cross from the left by
Liam Enver-Marum was flicked home off Paul Armstrong's'
head into the top corner.
Gary Elphick headed away low a Courtney
Pitt cross; Jamie Taylor conceding a free-kick on the
angle of the box on 21 minutes. As the ball was 'fizzed'
into the area Ben Austin's effort to clear the cross deceived
his keeper, the faintest of touches, for
1-1. Parity would not last long however as on 24 minutes
Taylor crossed to the near post from the right and Enver-Marum
got in front of the last man; his deft header nestling
in the bottom far corner for 2-1 The Sports.
Liam Enver-Marum - Another Strong Display, Another
Goal - Pic : Lee Smith
The rest of the half saw the pace drop
and chances for more goals hard to come by. Matt Crabb
delivered a great cross to the near left post on 44 minutes,
but this time the United defence blocked with Enver-Marum
waiting to pounce.
The 2nd 45 started with the driving rain
contributing to some defensive indecision and a left-wing
corner was allowed to bounce in the 6 yard box; Brian
Saah nodding home for 2 each. A 'Crabby' free-kick was
met by Elphick's head on 55 minutes, but misdirected,
and the 2nd ball into the area almost fell to the centre-back,
committed defending preventing an effort on goal for Boro.
Benjamin's through ball to Enver-Marum was just too straight
allowing Saah to block but after the early disappointment
Boro were back on top.
A 40 yard effort from Darryl Coakley needed
Knowles to tip around the post, the conditions contributing
to the ball moving wildly in the air. Matt Crabb twisted
and turned inside the penalty area on 71 minutes and only
Potter's fingertips prevented Boro regaining the lead,
the majority of possession still with the home side.
Confusion reigned for a few moments, the
crowd perplexed, before Mr. Jerden retired injured on
77 minutes. The game restarted with Dan Smith on for Taylor.
In 5 minutes of time added on the linesmen
seemed intent on ignoring the off-side rule and Knowles
made an excellent 1-on-1 save from Willmott. Willmott
almost turned provider Hatswell heading wide from 6 yards
a right-wing cross. Liam Enver-Marum was forced wide and
his shot was blocked but both sides threw bodies forward
in search of a winner, the visitors dominant for the first
time in the game.
The game finally ended all square. The
large crowd had witnessed a most entertaining game with
some excellent football played by both sides, a draw probably
about right.
Words : Lee Peskett
