Coleshill Town 2–1 Bourne Town: A Hard‑Earned Win to End the Year

There’s something about the last game before Christmas at Pack Meadow. The cold settles in early, the lights feel brighter than usual, and you can sense that everyone — players and supporters alike — just wants to finish the year on a high. Today’s match against Bourne Town wasn’t one for the scrapbook, but it was one of those gritty afternoons where getting the job done mattered more than the style points.

From the first whistle it was clear this wasn’t going to be a classic. The ball spent more time in the air than on the grass, and both sides struggled to put together anything resembling flowing football. Every time someone tried to get it down and play, a heavy touch or a hopeful clearance sent it straight back into the December sky. By half-time, the scoreline, the chances, the effort — everything — felt dead even. You couldn’t argue either team deserved to be ahead.

The second half, though, saw The Colemen finally start to settle. Bit by bit, we got the ball down, found pockets of space, and began carving out chances. The finishing wasn’t quite there, but you could feel the momentum shifting.

Then came the breakthrough. Ten minutes into the half, a high clearance from Lewis Allison dropped awkwardly, but Theo Rowe reacted brilliantly, cushioning it into the path of Ben Usher‑Shipman. Ben drove into the box with purpose and fizzed the ball across the six‑yard area. It missed the first runner, but there was Allison — the man who started the move — arriving perfectly to sweep home a first‑time finish past the scrambling keeper. A proper striker’s instinct, and a well‑deserved 1–0.

But Bourne weren’t done. They grew back into the game, forcing more shots and asking questions of our back line. Eventually the pressure told. In the 38th minute, a defensive mix‑up gifted the ball to Sam Bayly, who couldn’t believe his luck as he slotted home the equaliser. A frustrating moment, and one that briefly sucked the life out of the ground.

The match drifted for a while after that — neither side really grabbing hold of it — until deep into added time. Then, out of nowhere, Coleshill found one last spark. Ben and Bassit combined brilliantly down the left, working the ball between them until Ben finally shook off his marker. His cross was inch‑perfect, and Bassit, having ghosted free at the near post, guided it between the keeper and the upright. A cool, clever finish. 2–1. Pack Meadow erupted.

There wasn’t long left, and Coleshill saw it out with the composure of a side that knows exactly what’s at stake. With the win, we end the first half of the season in 6th place — just a single point off the playoffs and Lichfield, who slipped up 1–0 against Anstey Nomads. And wouldn’t you know it, Lichfield away is our Boxing Day fixture. A proper old‑fashioned six‑pointer if ever there was one.

Then, on New Year’s Day, Boldmere St Michaels come to Pack Meadow. Another big one. Another chance to push ourselves right into the playoff mix as the second half of the season begins.

It wasn’t pretty today. It wasn’t polished. But it was Coleshill — determined, resilient, and finding a way when it mattered. And heading into Christmas, that’s more than enough.