A marginally drier week saw the Old Bolts playing their second match on the bounce in what is so far proving to be a miserable December month. Aside from the freezing temperatures the spirit levels in the black and white camp were high off the back of a 3-0 victory over Horwich RMI, a feat which they were aiming to repeat on their travels to bottom of the table Radcliffe Town.

With the sun shining low in the clear sky, a crisp chill in the air, it was time for kickoff. From the first whistle the Old Bolts took control of the ball and tried to play their fluent style of football which didn't take too long to pay off. It is worth mentioning that in this opening period of play Radcliffe had their first and last shot on goal from a twenty five yard free kick which was comfortably saved by stand in goal keeper Will Tatlow at his bottom right corner. Apart from this it was to be a cold afternoon for the keeper who probably wished he had packed his long johns. The defensive unit in front of him, Craig Jolly, James Kinsler, Robin Myers and Kieran Walsh were playing with renewed vigour and blotted out any signs of attacking presence from the home side. As well as this they also contributed to the attacking portion of the game. A few whipped in balls from left back Kieran Walsh and winger Nick 'Pot Legs" Luke  saw the Radcliffe defence under pressure and struggling to cope. Combined with a dominant and attacking midfield quartet slipping the ball to a dangerous duo up top, Radcliffe were in trouble. Although resilient it seemed only a matter of time before a goal came of which the Bolts didn’t disappoint.

(Note: The following paragraph may have been embellished and is subject to the writers own personal view of events.)

As once famously stated ‘Cometh the hour, Cometh the man’ and in the Old Bolts case this man was centre midfield maestro David Owen (Darwen). A blocked cross attempt had left the Bolts with a throw in from the left deep within Radcliffe territory. As the throw came in striker for the day Matt McLellan rose to flick on the ball into the six yard box where the danger man was lurking. With Darren Dalton providing a screen by holding off two defenders some could say that all the work was left to do. As the ball dropped across the box Darwen feigned a strike at goal. With everyone convinced the shot was imminent the fan favourite dropped a shoulder sending player and spectator alike the wrong way creating the chance from him to rocket the ball into the top of the net. A truly spectacular way for the fan favourite to open his account for the season which sent the fans into a frenzy. 

Now returning to the match report, once the Bolts were in front it didn’t ever look as though they were going to be caught. Their dominance began to grow as the Radcliffe side began to look deflated. Any signs they showed of coming through the middle of the field was quickly broken down with a hustling Saul Rostron tracking down the ball to regain the possession. A short while later the lead was doubled through a costly error. As Bolts attacked down the right the ball came close to the side line at which point Radcliffe claimed for the throw in. Although close the ball had not crossed the line and the Bolts player did not hesitate as he continued his train of thought to cross the ball. In the centre however the home sides defence had frozen apart from the goal keeper and right back who both had eyes for the ball. The result, a heavy clash which left the ball unattended in the six yard box for the nimble footed Nick Luke to step over the dazed players and smash the ball home.

A short while later the half time whistle came. At the turn around with the sun now on their backs the Bolts were intent on opening up their lead. Their domination increased with Radcliffes replacement keeper seemingly aiming for Bolts centre midfielder Darwen on every goal kick. Chance after chance followed throughout the second period with what has to be said some terrible shooting on display. The only shot that did go on target was from team youngster Alex Meaney who neatly struck the ball low into the far corner from just inside the box. Unfortunately some of the refereeing was as shocking as the shooting and the goal was disallowed for an inexplicable offside from a ghost player. At the final whistle it was Saul Rostron who took man of the match for a solid, classy display in the centre of the Bolts team a second fine display from the midfielder in as many weeks.  

Although the lead was not increased the Bolts cruised on to a second win on the bounce which sees them stay at the top of the tree for another week, three points in front of their closest rivals Howe Bridge Mills. With a big game next week against fellow top spot challengers Chew Moor Brooke it is up to the Bolts to make sure that they are celebrating this Christmas with another win. It is clear though that they will need to find an early Christmas present in the form of some shooting boots if they are to stand a chance.

David Owen

The Old Boltonians had the rare pleasure of playing games on consecutive Saturday’s for the first time in weeks, as their LAL Premier League game at Radcliffe Town was the only fixture to beat the weather. The Old Boltonians had reclaimed top spot in the league following the previous week’s victory and were determined to consolidate that position. Radcliffe Town started the game well and pinned the Old Boltonians back in their half with some sustained pressure from throw-ins that were not adequately cleared. After two minutes, the pressure was relieved and Radcliffe then failed to get into the Old Boltonians’ penalty area for the remaining 88 minutes in the game. A more one sided game of football would be hard to envisage.

The Old Boltonians took a strangle hold on the game early. The ball was kept well and the side was playing with renewed confidence. It was a matter of time until the opening goal was scored. After sustained pressure from a series of corners, a Nick Luke cross ricocheted to Dave Owen in the penalty area. He took a neat touch with his right foot to evade a chance from a defender and blasted the ball into the top corner of the Radcliffe goal. 1-0. Before long the lead was doubled. A dangerous cross was played into the box from the right wing by Alex Meany. The ball sliced an avenue between the hesitant keeper and the confused defender, both of whom made desperate lunges to intercept the ball. This they failed to do, but did succeed in colliding in a comical manner and becoming entangled on the floor. This allowed a gleeful Nick Luke to saunter in from the left and tap the ball into the open net. 2-0. There may have only been 25 minutes gone in the game but it was effectively over as a contest, as Radcliffe showed no signs of threat.

The second half of the game was somewhat farcical, as wave after wave of Old Boltonians attack ended in inaccurate shooting or a careless final ball. The shot count for the game was the only thing that increased in the second half, apart from the Radcliffe keepers’ fitness, as it seemed like he was permanently jogging to the undergrowth behind their goal to fetch another wayward effort. It seems strange to be disappointed with a 2-0 victory, which was the final score of the game, but the result does not represent the complete domination and one-sided nature of the contest. Shooting practice is called for in training this week! But the victory opened up a three point lead for the Old Boltonians at the top of the table, which they can be more than happy with.

Craig Jolley