Market Bosworth 2000 Football Club

Market Bosworth 2000 FC have been in the newspapers more than Newcastle United over the last couple of weeks. With speculation now confirmed that Market Bosworth Town will be taking over the Bosworth Junior teams as of next season, the Market Bosworth 2000 Football Club are a place of turmoil.

It seemed that the clubs state of affairs off the field had an extreme effect on the field, going down by three goals to one. Andesh Matharu with the only goal for the away side, a quickly taken swerving free-kick.

Adam Horton’s starting line-up was dashed 10 minutes before kick off with John Horton pulling up in the warm-up (well driving his car!) and the non-arrival of John Holmes (lost his wallet & house key!). After losing his two centre backs in bizarre circumstances, it was left to the new centre back pairing of Alesbrook & Matharu. By all accounts they gave a good showing of themselves, until the 21^st minute. When the Monsell Rangers winger cut inside Hoult & Learoyd, only to be halted by a last ditch sliding tackle from Matharu. Unfortunately, the ball squirmed up & into the path of the on rushing striker, shinning it past Horton. 1-0.

The away side took the game to the league leaders, creating chance after chance. Smith’s outside of the boot through ball, release striker Howell, but his finishing let him down. Howell was guilty of missing three, one-on-one situations, as was fellow striker Butler and winger Tailor.

Half-time arrived and so did John Holmes. Horton immediately bringing him into the action; replacing Humphreys; pushing Alesbrook in the middle of the park with Smith; Butler operating out on the wing; and Hoult linking up with Howell.

Once again Bosworth had the better of the possession, creating numerous chances, but the home side keeper was in fine form. Pulling off a string of saves from Howell and Butler. Hoult’s height started to cause trouble in the home side box and with Alesbrooks surging runs troubling the defence it only seemed like a matter of time before they were back in the game. However, Monsell caught the away side on the break beating Bell (on for Tony Learoyd on 60 mins) and squaring the ball for the striker to slot home. 2-0.

With ten minutes to go, Bosworth had a lifeline. Butler again at the heart of all things positive for Bosworth. He was brought down on the edge box and up stepped Matharu. His quick thinking caught the home side keeper unawares, curling in a beautiful right footed shot from 18 yards out. 2-1.

With Bosworth pushing for an equaliser, they were once again caught on the break. Monsell’s left winger beating debutant Ash Latham (on for Tony Peace on 75 mins), his cross was deflected off the face of John Holmes in the dying minutes. 3-1.

So many positives to take from the game, controlling the tempo and keeping the ball for long periods of time; the only problem now is finding the back of the net!

Starting line-up: A Horton 6; T Peace 5 (A Latham 6), T Learoyd 5 (D Bell 6), A Matharu 7*, T Alesbrook 7; N Tailor 6, J Humphreys 6 (J Holmes), M Smith 6, A Hoult 6; M Butler 7, D Howell 6.

Unused subs: A Allen