Ambers give the gaffer a good send off

In Mick Godber's last game in charge, The Ambers beat Bottesford Town 4-1 ....

As the news broke about Mick Godber’s impending departure, The Ambers took to the field against Bottesford Town looking to reclaim 4th spot in the league and to give the boss a good send off.
A good start from both sides set the tempo on a hot afternoon and the hosts suffered an early blow when they lost right wing back Spall to a pulled hamstring after 11 minutes before centre back Donald brought Gary Stevens into action for the first time, comfortably holding on to a header.
Within a minute, the visitors had snatched the lead. Good work on the right by Aaron Moxam and Reece Hands resulted in the midfielders cross being met in the box by Alex Rippon whose close range volley squirmed over the line.
With Connor Smythe finding plenty of space on the left, The Ambers were getting on top of their opponents, but Boulton looked dangerous on the break for Town on a couple of occasions. Town were playing a high line and the Ambers forwards were getting caught offside too many times, but a quick kick from Stevens released Danny Buttle down the left wing and his clipped ball into the box found Moxam at the front post. The strikers’ first effort struck the post but he coolly followed up to claim goal number 44 of a prolific season and doubled the lead.
Five minutes later, the hosts had a great chance to halve the deficit when Boulton’s burst into the box was halted illegally by Stuart Ludlam, but Broughton’s spot kick was magnificently kept out by a diving Stevens.
Rippon then almost grabbed his second when his long range volley flashed inches wide before Broughton redeemed himself at the other end with a stunning strike into the top corner. The Ambers were creaking now and a free header from Donald crashed back off the upright, before play switched quickly to the other end and Moxam’s shot was chested off the line by a defender after the front man had shown some sparkling footwork.
The second half followed the same script with both teams really going for it, and it was Moxam again who came closest in the early stages when his shot from inside the area came back off the post with Barford beaten. Hands then had two half chances as The Ambers continued to dominate the session, and Town’s defences were breached again just after the hour when a corner fell at the feet of Jack McCarthy who lobbed in his first Ambers goal.
Smythe then fed Harry Bamforth who raced through but was denied by Barford who made a good save at his feet as The Ambers looked to extend their lead. Jon Froggatt and Zak Khalifa joined from the bench to make a new duo up front, and Froggatt’s hold up play ensured that The Ambers stayed well in control of the game. However, it was the rejuvenated Rippon, now playing on the right side of midfield, who popped up at the near post to deflect a Buttle cross on to the bar before following up to complete the scoring twelve minutes from time.
As the whistle blew, the players applauded Mick Godber off the pitch, having ensured he ended his reign as he began it, with three points.

Belgrave Motor Company Man of The Match – Alex Rippon