Match Reports - May 2005

Boldmere St Michaels Reserves 0 - 4 Rushall Olympic Reserves

ICIS Combination Challenge Trophy Final

Monday 2nd May 2005

Rushall Olympic Reserves claimed an outstanding league and cup double as they lifted the Challenge Trophy for the very first time following a four-goal demolition of Boldmere St Michaels at Church Road and then also received the ICIS Combination Reserve Division Championship trophy to boot. An excellent all-round team performance saw youth team striker Nathan Smith bag a fine brace, while a 35-yard Tyrone Barnett wonder goal and ruthless finish from goal poacher Ben Porter sealed the end to a perfect day for Kevin McCorry's young and talented side.

As proceedings commenced Rushall survived an early scare after only a couple of minutes as a vicious shot across the face of goal from the right side of the box by a Boldmere midfielder had to be smartly tipped over for a corner by 'keeper Chris Gemmell. However, Olympic quickly regathered their composure and they soon went on to boss proceedings during the remainder of the first half and all through the second period.

Despite their overall dominance the Pic's had to wait until the 29th minute before they deservedly forged into the lead when tenacious work from Tobias Salmon saw him rapidly rob dawdling defender Neil Hanlon of possession before probing into the left side of the box and cleverly picking out striker Nathan Smith who fired the ball triumphantly into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Rushall were now beginning to play some exquisite football at times and on 35 minutes a swift break forward saw the ball eventually sit up nicely for Ben Porter whose stinging 25 yard volley was well held by 'keeper Gareth Murphy.

Little was seen of a Boldmere renaissance during the first period, but a minute before the interval Olympic's ever-alert custodian Chris Gemmell was eminently vigilant as he dashed 12 yards off his line to bravely smother the danger as an attacker bore menacingly down upon goal after latching on to a defence splitting through ball.

The second half was barely 5 minutes old when from out of nowhere Rushall midfielder Tyrone Barnett spotted that the Mikes stopper was well off his line and in one majestic movement he unleashed a vicious looping volley from some 35 yards out that swerved in the air and ultimately flew over the head of the unfortunate Gareth Murphy into the top of the net to herald an exceptional second goal for the Pic's.

With the Dales Lane side now in irresistible form in the 55th minute they almost claimed their third goal of the game as Ben Porter gamely chased through a long ball and as the Boldmere custodian hastily attempted to hook away the danger the front runner's torso beat down the clearance and his low drive from 15 yards out ran agonisingly wide of the left upright.

It was little surprise when Olympic eventually made it three goals to the good when excellent work by Daniel Hemmings down the right flank on 67 minutes saw the winger beat his marker and deliver a pin-point centre for Nathan Smith who neatly controlled the ball with a good first touch and lashed home into the bottom left corner from just inside the penalty area to complete a fine brace.

Rushall ended the game with a resounding flourish when with 7 minutes remaining by capping a thoroughly professional performance as a telling ball into the edge of the box found Nathan Smith who selflessly squared to strike partner Ben Porter down the right and the young forward hammered an unstoppable volley into the top left corner across the despairing dive of 'keeper Gareth Murphy from 18 yards.

Rushall Olympic: 1.Chris Gemmell, 2.Luke Bradley, 3.Chris Milliard, 4.Tyrone Barnett, 5.Wayne Hall ©, 6.Ryan McCorry (12.Shawn Salmon), 7.Daniel Hemmings (15.Rory McFarlane), 8.Tobias Salmon (14.Andre Francis), 9.Ben Porter, 10.Nathan Smith, 11.Andy Malcolm.