In an eagerly anticipated clash dubbed the “Battle of the Miners,” Bold Miners FC faced off against Clock Face Miners at the Bold Miners Neighbourhood Centre. The match saw Bold Miners try out a new 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jordan McCririe dropping into the back four and wearing the captain’s armband. Owen Flaherty returned to the starting lineup to replace the injured Kieran McKelvie, shifting Damion Baker to left back to accommodate Flaherty at right back.
Jack Seddon and Tommy Howard took up positions as the two defensive midfielders, while Mike Nilsen played as the number 10. Euan McArthur and James Hynes occupied the wings, with Gareth Griffiths leading the line upfront.
Bold Miners started brightly, playing some good football and creating early chances, but were unable to convert. In the 19th minute, Clock Face Miners took the lead from a corner kick, and by the 42nd minute, they had doubled their advantage. However, Bold Miners responded immediately when Gareth Griffiths pressured the Clock Face goalkeeper into making a mistake, which he capitalized on by heading the ball into the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1 just before half-time.
The second half began with a surge of energy from Bold Miners. James Hynes equalized straight after the break with a neat finish following some excellent skill. The momentum seemed to be in Bold Miners’ favor, but an unfortunate error from goalkeeper Paul Strickland – who dropped the ball from a cross – allowed Clock Face Miners to retake the lead at 3-2.
Despite the mistake, Strickland had an otherwise solid performance in goal as he had made three brilliant saves during the game and commanded his area throughout. Tommy Howard had an outstanding match, completely controlling the midfield and dictating the tempo, breaking up play and recovering possession expertly.
The second half also saw the introduction of Will McArthur, younger brother of Euan, who made an immediate impact. Will McArthur hit the post after some impressive work down the left wing, showcasing his potential.
As the game neared its conclusion, Strickland made a great save, tipping a shot onto the post. Bold Miners countered quickly, and after a flowing move, found the back of the net, but the goal was controversially disallowed for offside. Many felt that the game should have ended in a draw, as Bold Miners certainly did not deserve to lose.
Substitute appearances included Rob Rylance, Lee Roberts, and Tom Graham. The match also marked the final appearance for Carl Chisnall in a Bold Miners shirt. The 50-year-old veteran has decided to move on, and his presence on and off the pitch will be greatly missed.
Despite the defeat, the performance showed promise and resilience. The new formation demonstrated potential, and the team can take several positives from the match as they continue their pre-season preparations.
