Route to Semi by Tom Tom

Tom Rutter returned to first team football after his lengthy recovery from his op , alongside Tom Brookes in the starting line up for the second game in a row. The pair influenced a fine away cup victory in five star surroundings at Highbury home of Conference North side Fleetwood Town. The hosts with a league campaign in mind fielded largely reserves. Boro named two on the bench in Howson and Manning. Sampson, Kelly, Drew were missing. Rutter played at right back with Unsworth in the middle. Fleetwood make Priestley the first keeper in action as he smothers the ball Maylett is chasing with Unsworth in tow. The ball is up field quickly and Boro win the first corner after Roscoe wins the flick on to send Griff Jones grafting in the corner. The corner is sent over and with Fleetwood flat footed Tom Rutter is forward to send the ball flying into the top of the net for a flying start to the visitors. He is back in the action when a clearance is sent straight into his mid rift causing him to double over , a very nervous time for the player after the recent op , full credit to the full back for the night as he went on to play a very steady game. The game is quick and largely led by Boro as they look to double the lead. Tom Brookes is busy and races hard to get on the end of a clever ball through, the keeper is quick off the mark and Brookes lofted attempt is blocked with Roscoe waiting. A couple of forays forward for Fleetwood offer no threat before Rutter serves up a quality corner that is meat and drink for Roscoe who finishes the perfect header back across the keeper for 2-0 on 22 minutes beutifully shown on the red digital scoreboard. Boro are running the game and are showing what a good footballing side they can be , they have plenty of possesion and use it wel in the half. The defence missing the influential captian Si Kelly are being conducted well by the experianced Unsworth. Confidence is high in the team and the first half display by all is impressive. Brookes terrier type chasing with the threat of Griff Jones and Roscoe are giving the youngsters of the home side a real tests. Boro need to stay on guard as the closing action as Maylett is fed in space and absolutely smashes a drive against the bar that rattled for the duration of the break. My break was spent in the luxury of the bar, a very impressive set up.
Fleetwood start the half with a close shot that rattles the advertising boards wide of goal. the response is quick by captain for the night Mark Jones who links well with Griff Jones before firing across the keeper who pushes the ball away from danger. Substitutions are made by the home side to try to change the flow of football that is owned by Boro. Roscoe should have made it three after a great move starting with a splitting pass inside by Griff Jones. Fleetwood make a more even contest of it in the last twenty and chances are shared by both sides. Griff Jones is replaced by Howson for a straight swop. Chances still remain and it is Fleetwood who pull one back through Substitute Tommy Wilson on 79 minutes as his fine shot across Priestley finds the net to make it 2-1. The last ten minutes will be slow as boro look to the semis. Brookes could and should have finished after Roscoe and howson cause problems. The game is won for Boro after a solid performance with a lot of hard work on a cold night on the coast. The team will head further north to Kendal for the semi final , a cup final for the team will be a worthy reward for a squad of players that are beginning to look like a very good side.

The only thing that spoiled the night was hearing that Darwen FC would fold, a very historical club that deserve help more than most from the so called elite of our game. Check the link for a great article.

http://www.twohundredpercent.net/?p=1201

Paul.