The atmosphere in the Old Boltonians 1st XI setup was tense in the preceding week to this clash between last season's LAL Premier League Champions, Old Blackburnians, and the Runners Up. The Old Boltonians had suffered their first defeat of the season in the previous weekend, which was a humiliating and humbling massacre after being in a strong position in the first half. It might be too early to suggest that a good result was needed to save the season, but another defeat would decimate the early season confidence of the Old Boltonians.
The Old Boltonians arrived in Blackburn and were the first of the two teams to begin the warm-up on the rain sodden pitch. It was immediately visible that the strong wind blowing along the length of the pitch could be an important factor in deciding the outcome of this game.
The Old Blackburnians had undergone a close season 'reshuffle" in both management and playing personnel and the side that took to the pitch for this game were completely alien to the one that had tested the Old Boltonians to the maximum in the previous season. This team would provide a new challenge.
The Old Boltonians won a good coin toss to start the first half with the wind at their back. The plan was to take advantage of the conditions and pile as much pressure onto the Old Blackburnian players; many of whom had little experience at this level. It wasn’t long until the challenge facing the new look Old Blackburnians became clear. Within 15 minutes of the start, the Old Boltonians were 3-0 up. The first was scored by Rob Taylor who converted a one on one with a neat low finish into the corner after being put through by Darren Dalton. The second was an individual goal from Nick Luke. Luke picked up the ball on the wide left, mid-way inside the Old Blackburnians half and ran at the defence; a facet to his game where he is strong, but often fails to have the confidence to attempt. Luke beat the attempted tackles of three defending players, before striking a low shot into the corner of the net. 2-0. The third goal was a result of comical and kamikaze defending and goalkeeping. Without providing excessive pressure, the ball broke to Rob Taylor, 6 yards from goal. The goalkeeper appeared to throw in the towel and prematurely take a half time rest. Taylor tapped the ball into the gaping net. 3-0.
An ever present flaw in the game of the Old Boltonians is to take their foot of the accelerator when on top and not go for the jugular. The game should have been put to bed in the remaining half an hour in the first half. Old Blackburnians had limited attacking threat, due to the strong opposing wind and were camped in their own half. The Old Boltonians failed to capitalise on their advantage and played some sloppy football at times. No further goals were added and the game drifted to a half-time score of 3-0.
The Old Boltonians started the second half and immediately felt the effects of the dehabilitating wind. However, their response was to attempt to play football by keeping the ball on the ground and passing their way into the Old Blackburnians half. An impressive display saw the Old Boltonians add two further goals to their tally. Jon Burrows, struck a ferocious effort through the legs of the goalkeeper, who might have done better. 4-0 and Alex Meany provided a moment of brilliance by beating numerous defenders using great close control and speed and winning a penalty. Kieran Walsh slammed it in to make it 5-0.
Any victory by a margin of five goals is not to be sniffed at, but it would be fair to say that Old Blackburnians are in a period of rebuilding and will probably not reach the heights of last season.