Match reports by Craig Jolley and (below) Tim Taylor
An overcast night in Blackburn was the scene for the non-mathematical, but realistic end to the title hopes of the Old Boltonians. Their title rivals, Old Blackburnians, hosted the Old Bolts with three points a necessity. The Old Blackburnians had forged a reputation for being a physically strong and intimidating side, but the Old Boltonians had no fear. From the moment the game started, it was obvious that there was not going to be an easy winner of this game, as both team looked evenly matched. The Old Boltonians looked the more comfortable in possession and attempted to work the ball down the wings and feed the ball into the strikers - Rob Taylor and Paul Wheatcroft. The Old Blackburnians also looked tactically astute and were working on the premise of hitting their talented front men early and then hoping they'd do the business for them.
The first half ebbed and flowed with neither team having prolonged periods of dominance. The Old Boltonians were obviously worrying the Old Blackburnians as their management became increasingly irate and their defence and midfield were panicked into attempting to hit their forwards earlier than in the early stages of the game. But, despite the obvious quality of the forwards, Old Boltonians defenders Craig Jolley and James Kinsler marshalled them admirably and restricted them to half chances. The most remarkable of these was a spectacular overhead kick from the edge of the penalty box that brought a top class save from Anthony Duffy in the Old Boltonians goal. The Old Boltonians had the most clear-cut chance of the half. Rob Taylor was put clean through by Matt McCllelan and after initial good control, struck the ball hard and low at goal. The keeper got down well to keep the score at 0-0. Half-time.
The early stages of the second half brought a shattering blow to the Old Boltonians. A long cross-field ball from the Old Blackburnians from right back to left wing, managed to sithe open the Old Bolts backline to allow their left midfielder to receive the ball ten yards from goal and completely unmarked. He tucked the ball home. Confusion reigned over the goal scorer's marking responsibility. It didn't matter. A bad goal to concede.
The Old Boltonians responded well and indeed it wasn't long until the scores were level. Rick McLellan showed great speed and skill to beat two men on the right flank and get to the by-line. He kept his composure and picked out Paul Wheatcroft with a low well-placed cross. Wheatcroft struck the ball into the bottom corner of the net with a good, first time finish. 1-1.
Moments later the Old Boltonians should have been ahead. David Owen out-battled and outpaced the Old Blackburnians defence to get to the by-line inside the box and in a similar position to McCllelan. In contrast, Owen couldn't find the appropriate pass when Nick Luke and Rob Taylor were lurking free in the box and the keeper collected the wayward cross. The remainder of match was played like a game of cat and mouse. Both teams had long distance efforts, with Anthony Duffy again showing why he is the LAL's best. The game looked to be drifting to a draw, which in all fairness wouldn't have been enough for the Old Boltonians, when the Old Blackburnians somehow found a winner with 20 seconds of injury time remaining, through a neat flick from a corner. 2-1.
The Old Boltonians can come away from the game knowing that they were the better footballing side and were unlucky to not get anything from the game.They now face the difficult task of raising their spirits for the upcoming games and making sure their season finishes on a high.
Watching a tragedy unfurl.
Hancock, Timmis, Washington, Milne, Lane and Taylor (at least a third of the legendary Compsty 4th team of the 1980s) witnessed an enthralling spectacle of footballing drama. This was nearly as exciting at the Vets match at Little Lever when an adjacent garage blew up and caught fire, albeit with a lot more at stake. The Bolts were desperately unlucky not to come away with at least a point.
Blacks played fast flowing and aggressive football on a bumpy pitch. The Bolts back four was outstanding and solid. Duffy (?) in goal made a string of excellent saves and commanded his box in high ball situations. The midfield and attack battled against an unforgiving, well organised opposition who refused to be broken down. Bolts battled back after having gone a goal down and a beautifully executed move culminated in a fine goal.
As the clock ticked down the tension was showing on both sides Bolt maintaining great discipline unfortunately it was Blacks who benefitted in the dying minutes from a very lucky flick which painfully dribbled over the line. Obviously Blacks should have been deducted several points for the crowd invasion which ensued.
Unlucky boys you did us proud.
TT MOM very difficult but Old Bolts keeper gets the vote (it had to be the keeper didn't it?) One bottle of Timothy Taylors Landlord to the winner (if I ever get around to it).
Tim