It’s been a few years since Boro faced Heybridge Swifts. Back in 2017/18 season both sides were challenging near the top of Isthmian North and fate conspired to pitch them together 4 times, each match notable or notorious in its own right.
First, Heybridge beating Boro to go through to the First Round Proper of the FA Cup. Then a 0-0 injury time abandonment after a player altercation. In the spring Heybridge recovered from 3 goals and a man down to grab a 3-3 draw and, the denouement to the quartet, a Boro victory in a high stakes play off semi-final.
Saturday’s return to Heybridge was no less incident packed.
4 goal, 2 penalties a late Red Card and numerous stoppages resulting in the game finishing as time ticked towards 17:15.
Firstly, we wish a speedy recovery to Heybridge keeper Callum Chafer and our own “GFTG”© George Aresti. Both had to leave the field after separate incidents resulting in lengthy stoppages.
On a chilly, overcast, but dry day there was no indication what was to come as both sides eased their way into the game. Heybridge were probing, looking for gaps but Boro were disciplined.
For Boro, Mekhi was providing the chief outlet on the left. Early balls to the flank gave him numerous chances to run at his defender in the first half.
And from one such ball the first lengthy stoppage occurred. Aresti brought the ball away from the edge of the area and looked to sweep a pass Mekhi’s way. As he cleared, a challenge came in that caught him slightly late and, off balance, he tumbled awkwardly. It was a full 6 minutes before he was helped off the pitch and away for more treatment to what looks a serious shoulder injury. This resulted in a slight Boro reshuffle with Sean brought on at centre half, with Jorge moving into midfield.
Arguably, the change slightly disrupted Boro as Heybridge scored with their next attack a couple of minutes later. Boro didn’t press in midfield, but looked to have good cover as a ball was played into the channel. However, Sean failed to get a good connection to play the ball away leaving Adlington-Pile one on one to sidefoot past Jack.
It was almost 2 soon after. Jack then Tommy making blocks in the 6 yard box to keep the deficit at one as Heybridge controlled possession.
Boro re-settled after this. A good counter was abruptly halted by a sloppy pass, Derek marginally failed to reach a ball ahead of the keeper, and Tommy was then denied from a corner by a fingertip save on to the bar. One final chance in the half saw Mekhi cut in and unleash a shot towards the far post that whistled a yard wide.
It was already 3 minutes into added time when Jorge raced on to a through ball. Heybridge keeper, Chafer, had sensed the danger. As Jorge stretched for the ball Chafer cleared and was caught as he followed through. He was ready to carry on, albeit noticeably limping, 4 minutes later.
The second half took off in much the same fashion but Heybridge soon began to assert a bit more control. Jack saved after a clever free kick routine, had to hack clear from a through ball and then made a third decent save of the afternoon. Boro’s only reply in this passage was a speculative Matt Young effort that went over the bar.
On the hour Alex replaced a out of sorts looking Bobson on the right as Boro got onto a more evn keel in the game. Still, the equaliser that arrived on 68 minutes was as out of the blue as it was spectacular. Boro had failed to test Chafer at all since his injury but Matt’s dipping, curling effort from 25 yards to the left top corner would’ve beaten a fully fit keeper. With Boro back in it Cem, who has done a sterling job filling in at full back, made way for Ebz, with Caleb moving across to the left side of the back four.
But, for the second time in the game Boro conceded soon after making a defensive switch. This time a ball into the box saw Tommy and a striker challenge. Tommy would probably say he was trying to ease the attacker under the ball, but he was judged to have barged him over and the referee pointed to the spot. Adlington-Pile made no mistake, sending Jack the wrong way, to grab hi second and restore Heybridge’s lead.
So, Boro would need to haul themselves level again, and it didn’t take them long. Some trickery from Derek by the corner flag created space for a cross that was blocked. He was quickest to the loose ball and as he started towards goal was brought down by a clumsy looking challenge. Penalty to Boro.
Matt stepped up but Chafer guessed correctly and sprung to his right and saved. Fortunately, Olu was johnny-on- the-spot and calmly restored parity from a slight angle as Chafer tried to recover from the initial save.
From now it was anyone’s game. Boro had the best chance in the last 10 minutes. Alex, raced onto a through ball and got his shot away with a recovering defender harrying. But Chafer, looking even more uncomfortable after his first half injury, again made a full stretch diving save.
With 4 minutes of normal time remaining there was more encouragement for Boro. Raks finally made his competitive comeback, fully 17 months after his horrific injury at the start of the 2023/24 season. Welcome back Raks!
There was till more incident to come. A long punt upfield from Jack saw Derek wrestle in front of the defender. As the ball travelled towards the area Chafer again anticipated and came out of his area to head clear. In the same instant Derek had started to raise his boot to toe poke the ball. It was difficult to see exactly what happened from behind the goal but Chafer, having ducked his head slightly to clear went down and immediately called for the physio. The assistant referee had the best, side-on, view, and after discussion with the referee Derek was shown a straight red card. Chafer meanwhile was down and treated for nearly 10 minutes, eventually able to groggily stagger off, supported by coaching staff to heartwarming applause.
There was till time for Jack to make one final save before the whistle blew to bring the game to a close.
Boro line up; West-Astuti; Dennis; Poyraz; Durojayie; Boxer; Djassi-Sambu; Bawling; Aresti; Asamoah; Young; Leacock-MacLeod
Subs: Nicolaides; Sankanu; Richards; Addo-Kuffour
Att: 236
