It’s been a long time coming. Boro’s first home win since early March embodied by that late evening roar as the final whistle blew and the smiles on the faces management, players and supporters.
For the third time this season Boro and Brightlingsea squared off, and after a defeat in the league, then forcing this replay last Saturday, Boro overcame their Essex opponents to progress to the Second Qualifying Round with a home tie versus Witham Town on September 14th.
Having shown improvement in every game this season Tom made only one change from last Saturday’s starting line up. Alaa was also available after serving a 3 match suspension.
Boro lined up:
Reuben Rabstein; Tosin Olufemi; Edz Addo-Kuffour; Jorge Djassi-Sambu; Dan Carey-Evans; J’Ardell Stirling; Richard Ennin; Manny Yeboah; Fred Agyemang; Derek Asamoah; Tommy Boxer
Subs: Michael Acquah (GK); Alaa Oujdi; George Aresti; Stephane Mgbada; William Ademiluyi
As the sun set and Brightlingsea kicked off we wondered if they would pick up where they left off on Saturday. But Boro were able to match their opponents. Bar a couple of half chances, at best, that fell to the visitor’s centre forward neither keeper was being worked.
The first real anxious moment came after 20 minutes, but a Brightlingsea free kick from in advanced position was swung wide by.
The back 3 of Dan, Tommy and J’Ardell were standing tall and positionally sound, and supported by Tosin and Ebz in wider areas Boro were able to gradually start to gain more possession.
It was still nearly half an hour in before the visiting keeper had to rush out of his area to hack clear as Fred closed in on a through ball. As half time approached a Boro free kick produced a few seconds of pinball, with the ball ultimately going wide then Dan attacked a corner but couldn’t quite direct his near post header on target.
At the half 0-0 seemed fair. It had been a very even 45 minutes with half chances only to each side.
The second half started in much the same vein until 10 minutes in Boro produced the first decisive moment. Use whatever word you like for Richard’s cross; succulent, delicious, pinpoint. Whatever it was after working space down the left the ball to the far post bypassed the keeper and there was Derek in a yard of space to emphatically head home.
Brightlingsea almost immediately made a change but Boro weren’t giving this up easily. Reuben, on the occasions he was called upon, showed impeccable handling, the midfield were working tirelessly and Derek and Fred up front making sure the Brightlingsea defence had to work equally as hard to snuff out any danger.
George was introduced for Derek as Boro looked to close out the game and all that work and endeavour paid off with quarter of an hour to go. Boro pressed high and a loose touch was picked up by Manny. He drove into the area, engaged the only defender between him and the goal and played the ball across to Fred, centrally, who had pulled into space as the defence were caught out of position. He didn’t need to take a first touch and left-footed, fired in for a 2-0 Boro lead.
Almost inevitably, Boro slightly retreated, which allowed Brightlingsea to start exerting a bit more control. A clear chance at the back post was mishit and dribbled into a grateful Reuben’s grasp, and with 7 minutes to go Boro’s lead was halved. Following a couple of blocks and attempted clearances a Brightlingsea sub was able to toe poke into the corner to set up a nervy last few minutes.
Just 3 minutes later Brightlingsea thought they’d equalised. Dan had been fouled on the edge of the Boro box, but in the half second it had taken for the referee to whistle the ball had been arrowed into the top corner from 25 yards. It was the best disallowed goal you’re ever likely to see, and the collective relief around Coles Park was palpable.
Alaa replaced Fred in a late change and we entered 6 minutes of added time. It wasn’t quite all Brightlingsea, but as they pushed defenders forward, and even sent the keeper up for set pieces, Boro were put under pressure. But that hard work stayed until the end and when needed again Reuben’s handling was exemplary.
We haven’t heard that Coles Park final whistle roar for a nearly 6 months, and while there might be bigger victories to come this was greeted as if it was the first.
Att: 183
