This was the last game of a long season as Chaddertonians came to the home of the Old Boltonians having been victorious in the league cup final earlier that week. The Old Boltonians had little to play for, apart from pride and a desire to finish as high up the table as was possible. No-one would have been surprised if the game had been dour as to be expected with two mid-table sides at the end of the season, but the Old Boltonians treated the watching masses to a feast of football and those that were there were privileged to witness undoubtedly the goal of the season.
Despite the hot conditions, the Old Boltonians flew out of the blocks and were dominant from the outset. A new style of confident football has been adopted in recent weeks, with the ball being kept and passed short, as opposed to the more ‘direct’ style that has been used for much of the season. Chaddertonians could only watch as they firstly went one behind through a spectacular own goal and then fell further behind as a result of the afore mentioned goal of the season. Not content on just marshalling the defence, Craig Jolley embarked on a surging run from just inside his own half. Against his better judgement, he passed the ball to David Owen, who then lost it, but the ball broke nicely for Jolley who regained control. A further two Chaddertonian players were left in his wake, before a shot of pure venom was launched into the corner of the net. The keeper was left with no chance and was left only to watch the stand in skipper wheel away and celebrate with typically rhythmic style.
A third Old Boltonians goal was added before half time as Rob Taylor was put clean through and easily outpaced the centre half before coolly slotting past the goalkeeper to notch his 14th goal of the season and ensure that he was named top scorer at the club for the 20th year in a row.
Despite their early battering, Chaddertonians are a decent side and got themselves back in the game before half time. A number of chances were missed and some top class saves were completed by Anthony Duffy, but they managed to pull one back. Half-time – 3-1.
The memories of the second half are slightly hazy, as thoughts turned to the BBQ that was well underway and bottles of stella that were ice cold and ready for consumption at the side of the pitch. But Old Boltonians increased their lead with two further goals, from David Owen and Kieran Walsh – both of whom deserve a special mention for reaching double figures in the goal stakes this year, one from midfield and the other from left back!
Paul Finch bullied their defence all game, Nick Luke and Rick McCllelan contributed effectively down the wings and very rarely gave the ball away, Ju Stevens was integral to the success and never gave Chaddertonians a second in midfield, Jon Burrows never stopped running from full back and always gave an option, Rob Gamble, Daz Dalton and Marcus Gavin contributed well from the bench and Craig Jolley scored the goal of the season (have I mentioned that yet?) But the MOM display came from one of the veterans of the side who has missed most of the season through injury – Rowan Crook.
A pleasing finish to the season, if not a year we can be too happy with. Next year improvement is required, but the signs are promising.