Boldmere 1 Town 3
BRIDGNORTH Town produced what was described by chairman Eric Eagles as “an absolutely amazing result” by beating high-flying Boldmere St Michaels on Saturday.
The victory was their first since Rocester were beaten on December 5 and lifts the Crown Meadow side up a place to 18th place in the Midland Alliance, as they fight to get clear of the relegation zone.
Town boss Andy Marlowe said that the win was vital as it widened the gap between his side and the three teams below them, including local rivals Shifnal, who are now just one place off the bottom rung of the table after crashing to a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Alvechurch.
“I was in contact throughout the match and it is an absolutely amazing result,” said Eagles. “It has given everyone a lift and is an outstanding turnaround in our fortunes and should inspire us.
“It was a really good Saturday for the club because the reserves also did really well, beating Wolverhampton United at home,” he added.
Eagles is hoping that the first team result will give Town added confidence for their home match against second-placed Coleshill tomorrow (3pm). Marlowe echoed Eagles’ delight, confirming that the side had played “really well.”
“It was our best team performance of the season,” he said. “Boldmere are a really good side and no-one had given us a chance.”
Town took just 10 minutes to take the lead when top scorer Gareth Horler found the net after knocking in the rebound from a shot from Chris Sturridge-Packer, who is on loan from Romulus.
Two minutes later Boldmere drew level from the penalty spot. The home side were awarded a free kick after Jason Pike was flagged offside and raced upfield only for a Town foul which led to the penalty. But four minutes later Town were back in front when Sturridge-Packer headed a Pike corner into the top corner of the net.
And Town went 3-1 up before the break when Sturridge-Parker netted after dribbling past two Boldmere defenders.
Boldmere threw the kitchen sink at Town in the second half, but the defence coped admirably with ‘keeper Darren Walters only having to make one good save, while otherwise fielding crosses and corners.
