On a beautifully sunny day an expectant crowd gathered at Chapeltown eagerly anticipating the latest instalment of the Old Boltonians 1st XI charge for the LAL Premier League title. Having won each of the first six games of the season the Old Boltonians were in confident mood and ready to take on whomever came to face them. However, today was not any old team. Today, the Old Boltonians were drawn to face Rossendale Amateurs - the reigning league Champions and a team that Old Boltonians had failed to take a single point from in the previous two seasons. This game would be no walk in the park.
Despite the fitting confidence, there was a twinge of nerves in the air as the players took to the pitch to a now familiar roar from the spectators. The Old Boltonians got the game underway and settled early. The opening exchanges were tentative from both teams as they each searched for weakness in the other team. Indeed the first half an hour of the game produced few noteworthy chances as the game became a battle between the midfield engine rooms of the respective teams with the Old Boltonians pairing of David Owen and Matt McCllelan more than holding their own, despite being outnumbered.
A goal was needed to inject some life into the game and obligingly came approximately ten minutes before the half-time interlude. Rossendale Amateurs had failed to trouble the Old Boltonians defence thus far and had failed to register a single shot. This statement remained true ten minutes later but the score was 2-0, in favour of Rossendale. The first goal cannot be defined as anything but a complete fluke. A cross from deep inside the Old Boltonians half was sliced, without any degree of control, into the top corner of the goal. Anthony Duffy in net had no chance – 1-0. The second also had a degree of luck in its completion, but was preceded by some impressive interplay by the Rossendale midfield. Long story short – 2-0 – Marcus Gavin own goal. As the half-time whistle blew, the Old Boltonians had no doubt they were in a game, but were perplexed at how they were two goals behind. Prospects for continuation of their current winning streak looked bleak.
After the half-time break, the Old Boltonians flew out of the blocks, not willing to concede their unbeaten record without a fight. Rossendale did not know what had hit them. Wave after wave of attack from the Old Boltonians bombarded the Rossendale defence like a sea of white and black. However, the Rossendale defence stood firm. That was until James Kinsler came bounding forward to take his place to attack an Old Boltonians corner from the right. Nick Luke delivered a high ball to beyond the back post, which was met by Kinsler whom had nicely lost his marker, and he headed the ball down into the Rossendale goal. 1-2. The game was not over yet!
Rossendale looked visibly shaken. Their confidence (bordering on arrogance) of the first half had seeped from their play and they were struggling to get any meaningful possession in the Old Boltonians half. Conversely the Old Boltonians were oozing self belief and were beginning to force their game onto the opposition. However, time was running short in the game and a quick request from the referee revealed that only 15 minutes were remaining. Almost immediately after, the scores were level. Robert Taylor continued his superb start to the season and broke clear of the Rossendale defence; the goalkeeper closed him down well and forced him wide, but Taylor managed to skip around him and keep possession. However, he was too wide to launch a strike on goal. Instead he intelligently and calmly took his time to provide a peach of a cross for the onrushing David Owen to head home. 2-2.
Rossendale's game was over. They had nothing left to offer and were now holding on for a draw. This they could not achieve as the fitness of the Old Boltonians shone through. The winner was scored by Robert Taylor who converted a one on one with the Rossendale keeper by placing the ball into the bottom corner. The celebrations were unconfined and were participated in by the entire Old Boltonians squad.
The game finished 3-2. The Old Boltonians have now played seven games this year and won them all. They sit at the top of the LAL Premier League with a five points lead, having played both the runaway leaders from last season and beaten them both. The season has got off to a flyer; let"s hope that it continues.