Vibes of renewed confidence emanated from the neighbouring Bury GSOB dressing room as they approached this weekends game on the back of an emphatic victory against a Whalley Range side that had put pave to an Old Boltonians LFA Cup run earlier in the season. The game promised to be a tighter affair than the reverse fixture of two weeks earlier when the Old Boltonians had been the easy victors.

The Old Boltonians started the game poorly. The scene seemed to be set when from the first kick off the ball was inexplicably belted out of play. The Old Boltonians were not in the game for the first 15 minutes of the game, as the Bury GSOB team were camped in the Old Boltonians half. Bury GSOB kept possession well, but were unable to get behind the Old Boltonians defence and were consequently kept at bay. Slowly, the Old Boltonians began to get into the game. The football was still not fluent but the territorial split began to turn in the Old Boltonians favour. However, the game remained goalless until 'goal machine' Matt McCllelan notched for the third consecutive game. The goal will not compete for the goal of the season come May, but its importance will be second to none this year. A long throw in from Robert ‘Delap" Gamble was flicked on the by the salmon like Rob Taylor at the neat post leaving M McCllelan the simple task of giving the finishing touches from only a few yards out. Not content with making it simple, McCllelan audaciously flicked the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs left having "given him the eyes” and “played him for a fool”. Whatever Matt. 1-0. The lead was maintained until the half-time whistle gave a period of respite from the cold, biting wind.

The Old Boltonians were treated to a barrage of abuse at half-time from the unimpressed coaching team of Simon Shields, Baz Culf and Ju Stevens. The players were left in no doubt that an improvement was required. The message was heeded and the Old Boltonians put in a much better second half display. The lead was effectively doubled early in the second half. A great free-kick was delivered into the penalty area by Sam Hancock who found his defensive colleague Michael Platt who in turn headed the ball across goal to another fellow defender (masquerading as a midfielder) Robin Myers. Myers reacquainted himself with the Bury GSOB defence that had been so accommodating in allowing him the privilege of opening his account for the Old Boltonians two weekends previously (rumours of a large bribe rumble on). However, it appears that the Bury GSOB goalkeeper is also a close personal friend of Myers, as Myers’ tame, hooked ‘cross’ was spilt into the goal by the flapping goalkeeper. Old Boltonians 2-0 up. Robin Myers £100 down.

The game drifted into a stalemate as the Old Boltonians were happy to sit on their lead and Bury GSOB didn’t have enough quality to realistically threaten the Old Boltonians defence. However, two minutes from time Bury GSOB were given a very soft penalty as Matt McCllelan was adjudged to have pushed the Bury forward. He tucked the penalty away, but there was not enough time left in the game to potentially force an equaliser. The Old Boltonians recorded another important victory and are now eight points clear at the top of the league.