As another scorching British Summer blistered the backs of the general
population and professional footballers rested their overpampered legs, the
Old Boltonians 1st XI had been toiling in a gruelling preseason that had
started as early as June. Limits had been pushed, standards raised and the
team approached the inaugural game of the LAL Premier League 2009/2010
season with hopes and fitness high. As the previous season, the opening day
opponents were to be Horwich RMI, a team, based on last season's form, that
the Old Boltonians should have no problems beating.

The Old Boltonians approached the game in focussed mood. They are all too
aware that sloppy performances against teams of this ilk were their undoing
in their title charge of last season and are determined not to make similar
mistakes in this campaign. The game got underway to thunderous applause
from another Chapeltown sell out crowd. The backing of the crowd drove the
home team on and they dominated the early exchanges of the game. The
passing was good, if not entirely slick and the Old Boltonians looked
comfortable. Horwich had no answer to the superior quality in the Old
Boltonians side and slowly chances were created. The Old Boltonians were
looking particularly threatening from set pieces, with the delivery from
Nick Luke worthy of specific praise. Robert Taylor, Matt McCllelan and
Darren Dalton all saw chances unconverted by a mixture of good goalkeeping,
the woodwork and finishing that was distinctly average.

However, it was a matter of time until the Old Boltonians opened their
account for the season and the goal came from an unlikely scorer, as James
Kinsler, the Vidic of the Old Boltonians centre-half pairing, slotted home
a neat side-foot volley from inside the box, after a pin-point corner from
Luke. Following the goal, the Old Boltonians settled further into the game
and one way traffic ensued. Horwich, although working hard and not looking
out of their depth by any means, were finding it difficult to create any
chances. Then, a moment to forget for Old Boltonians Captain, Craig Jolley.
Another speculative long punt from the Horwich midfield somehow found the
Horwich forward with a run on goal. Jolley covered round to block the
opportunity and seemed to have the situation under control. What followed
was completely inexplicable and even more inexcusable. Jolley thought he
was starting a new role as point guard for the Chicago Bulls and punched
the ball away from the onrushing attacker. Strange decision. Penalty given.
Jolley mortified. The Old Boltonians astonished. The crowd silenced. 1-1.

The remainder of the game was typical of an Old Boltonians performance, as
chance after chance was created and then spurned. But finally, with 15
minutes remaining in the game, the ultimate chance to put the game to bed
arose, as the Old Boltonians were awarded a penalty after Alex Meany was
hauled down in the box after some nice work. Rick McCllelan stepped up to
take the spot kick confidently. But, without even a small amount of luck,
the ball bounced of the inside of the left hand post and rolled agonisingly
across the face of goal. The Old Boltonians felt low. Where was the winner
coming from?

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Rob Taylor, fresh from his three week
retirement, did what he does best. He drank sambuca and strongbow in
MaCauleys, but earlier in the afternoon he also scored the winner in this
football match. Some more tricky wingplay from Meany and a nice lay back
from the by-line gave Taylor the chance to fire home from 8 yards with only
back-tracking defenders in the way. He converted. 2-1.

The game finished at 2-1, but a victory by a 7 or 8 goal margin would not
have been unfair. Horwich, apart from their penalty, failed to have a shot
on goal. Too many chances were missed by the Old Boltonians, but it's still
early days and this will improve.