Midweek fixtures are the historical nemesis of this Old Boltonians team, with the players frequently not adapting to the pace of the game at the end of the daily grind. Today was the latest challenge, as the Old Boltonians hosted Radcliffe Town in a midweek LAL Premier League game. With a victory in the first game of the season, the Old Boltonians were aiming to continue their 100% start.

Radcliffe started the game and immediately became the aggressors. The Old Boltonians were not at the races. They looked disjointed and sloppy and were struggling to keep the ball. Within two minutes of the kick off, Radcliffe were ahead. A long ball into the corner was chased down by the Radcliffe winger who lofted a deflected cross into the penalty area. The ball looped to the edge of the area where an advancing midfielder sliced the ball towards goal. The ball, which was going well wide, deflected off another Radcliffe player, lost almost all momentum and trickled  agonisingly into the corner of the net. 0-1.

Before long the bad start became a disastrous start, as Radcliffe doubled their lead. A long free-kick, which was pumped into the box wasn't dealt with and after a small scramble, the ball was driven home. 0-2.

As the remainder of the half continued, the Old Boltonians settled into  the game and began to dominate possession. They set siege to the Radcliffe penalty area but Radcliffe defended well and few chances were given away. Just when the Old Boltonians thought they were going in for the half, with a two goal deficit to overturn, they finally broke through. Craig Jolley intercepted a pass to the Radcliffe striker in the centre half position and attacked the Radcliffe midfield and defence at speed, before slipping a through ball down the side of the defence for Darren Dalton. Dalton showed good pace and feet to expertly side step the Radcliffe defender and slide the ball into the corner of the net. 1-2.

The Old Boltonians started the second half knowing that only a victory was good enough from this game and had the mindset to attack. Immediately, it was as though another team had taken the field. They began to play the football that they aspire to and made the Radcliffe players chase shadows. However, it took 25 minutes for the Old Boltonians to force the deserved equaliser. Darren Dalton got on a free-kick 25 yards from goal. After playing a cheeky one-two with the Radcliffe wall he advanced into the box, beating three men with his trademark fast feet and sway of the hips that wouldn't look out of place in a rendition of the samba, whilst dressed in lycra, in a Strictly Come Dancing studio. Dalton got to the by-line before crossing precisely for Matt McCllelan to slam the ball home into the open net from close range at the far post. 2-2.

The Radcliffe heads visibly dropped and the Old Boltonians sensed that this game was here for the taking. Within minutes the Old Boltonians could have been behind. A fine long distance effort was superbly saved by rookie goalkeeper Josh Cornthwaite who palmed the ball from the top corner to tip it over the bar. This seemed to spur the Old Boltonians on, who took the lead for the first time in the game almost immediately. Another well taken corner from Nick Luke was delivered into the box. After a goal line scramble, James Kinsler forced the ball home from close range with his second goal in as many games. 3-2.

The good football from the Old Boltonians then turned to exhibition stuff, as Radcliffe were systematically ripped apart. Rob Taylor, Matt McCllelan, Darren Dalton, Saul Rostron and Jon Burrows were instrumental as the ball was zipped around with precision and pace. Darren Dallton capped his fine game with his second goal and an assist for the fifth Old Boltonians goal, which was converted by Jon Burrows. End score - 5-2. Questions need to be asked as to why, the Old Boltonians needed to go two goals down before they started to perform, but a good result, which maintains the Old Boltonians' position at the top of the league.