Old Boltonians Res  1

Vs

Ainsworth - 2

 

After a fine win away at top of the league Bolton Ambassadors, confidence was high going into the game against another title contender Ainsworth. A very strong looking reserve side bolstered by 1st teamers Craig Jolley and Bob Taylor looked to start brightly in near perfect conditions for football up at Turton. There was very little in it for the first 25 minutes as both teams found it difficult to carve out any clear cut chances and both defences were on top. The first real chance of note came to Ainsworth after 30 minutes as a good move came to their striker who turned neatly and shot at goal, it looked a certain goal but for Dave Hopkins to pull off an outstanding save diving to his left and keeping the scores level.

Five minutes later though, the game changed as the Ainsworth centre back decided to tackle Andy Myers at knee high and the referee had no choice but to send him off - despite claims it was his first bad tackle!!! (how many do you want mate????)

Bolts with their numerical advantage took charge of the game and Ryan Hardwige and Marcus Gavin found more space out wide and started to carve out half chances but to no avail, as Ainsworth defended well with a couple of good last minute challenges.

Half Time and the scores were still level but Bolts were certain a goal would see Ainsworth cave in. They started the 2nd half as they ended the 1st, in control and passing the ball around nicely, trying to tire the Ainsworth team out. Fifteen minutes into the 2nd half the deadlock was finally broken as a nice move fell to Bob Taylor who fed a delightful ball over the top of the Ainsworth back four where Chris Neasham stole in to head home his 4th goal of the season. 1-0 Old Bolts and there looked to be no way back for Ainsworth as Bolts pressed for the killer second. Chris Neasham again went close, along with Andy Myers and Bob Taylor but they couldn't grab the goal they needed. Then out of the blue Ainsworth won a debateable free kick about 35 Yards out and the striker hit a peach of a shot into the goal past a wrong footed Dave Hopkins to make it 1-1 and give Ainsworth the lift they needed.

Still Bolts poured forward but the cutting edge wasn't there and to be fair to Ainsworth they defended well when they needed to and it looked for all the world that the game would finish level. However, with only seconds left, a mistake by Dave Hopkins saw his clearance charged down by the ever willing Ainsworth forward, who finished calmly to steal the points and to leave the reserves shell shocked not to have taken anything out of the game.1-2.

A bitter pill to swallow for the Reserves but fair play to Ainsworth who worked their socks off and even though they didn't deserve the 3 points they certainly showed enough to show that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the league this season - that result puts them top of the table.

For the Reserves its back to the drawing board and a tough away game in the cup at Rossendale follows next Saturday - Time for the lads to show a bit of character!!