The Chapeltown pitched looked in surprisingly good condition considering the rain that had preceded this game, but no sooner had the game started then the rain, hail and wind came. A day for enjoyable football this was not.

The Old Boltonians started brightly with a revised team selection due to the injury or suspension of six players. From the start it was apparent that Old Blackburnians were going to adopt an aggressive and physical approach and initially Old Boltonians matched them in this respect.

The Old Boltonians had the better of the early exchanges with both Nick Luke and Paul Finch striking the woodwork of the Old Blackburnians goal with long distance strikes. However, as the half progressed, Old Blackburnians gradually began to get a grip of the game and began to dominate, particularly in the centre of midfield, where their captain and best player began to pull the strings. However, the defence had still not been troubled and Anthony Duffy in goal had not had a shot to save all game.

This changed with ten minutes remaining in the half when their centre midfielder was on hand on the edge of the box to capitalise on a short clearance from the area and strike a low shot into the net to make it 1-0. The players went in at half time, perhaps, feeling a little hard done by due to their superior shot count, but Old Blackburnians possessional domination was worrying.

As the weather worsened in the second half, the pitch deteriorated and began to cut up and collect standing water. It made a passing game difficult to execute. However, the conditions were the same for both teams and cannot be used as an excuse for the poor second half display from the Old Boltonians. Chances were rare and when created, they were accompanied by poor finishing. The quality of the game deteriorated in line with the pitch and neither team will fondly remember it. As it was, Old Blackburnians snatched a late second goal, as the Old Boltonians defence tired and the team were pushing on in search of an equaliser. Final score 2-0 – welcome to mid-table obscurity.