OLD BOLTONIANS  2    HORWICH VIC  1

Lerhmann
Hardwidge


The old saying goes there are lies, damned lies and statistics. If you were to look at the statistics of the 3rd teams last few matches you would be forgiven for thinking that the only way is down for these boys, the team spirit is shot and there would be no way they would be able to inflict a first defeat of the season on a  rampant, confident Horwich Vic side who spanked us 9-1 at their place.
Well, Rosie and Baz and the rest of the team themselves knew that we were good enough to win today and that the recent run of results is not an indication of how good a team we are. And that was the key today - teamwork! This was an excellent, hard working team effort and every player could be proud of their perfomance.

The lads kicked off well prepared with a new discipline and organisation that had been instilled from mid-week training and early meets for matches. The early exchanges were fairly scrappy, but it became apparent there would be no repeat of the drubbing received at their place and maybe Howrich came to Turton expecting an easy ride. The back four of Nutty, Noon, Felgate and Anderton looked solid and they knew they had the experienced Hopkins behind them. However, the first goal went to Howrich thro their usual tactic of a ball over the top behind our defence and left their centre forward with a clean run in on goal. Nutty chased him down and went into challenge, but to say his tackle was agricultural would be an understatement! It was a definite penalty, the only decision the ref had to make was what colour card would Nutty see before him as he did seem to be the last defender. Perhaps the ref had seen the stats for Bolts' last few matches and felt sorry for us as he waved a yellow card at Nutty much to his, his teammates and his management's relief. Either way Hoppo had no chance with the penalty. 0-1.

If you'd been to see the last few 3rds matches you'd expect to see the floodgates open for another hammering. But the boys were up for the fight today and took the game to Howrich. Maybe the opposition were surprised, but Bolts pressed for an equaliser and it came at the perfect time just a minute before the break. A Bolts attack broke down and the ball fell to Jacob on the edge of the box. He'd been finding himself room out on the right all half and this time he had just enough time to fire in a daisy cutter thro a sea of legs which was enough to beat the flailing Howrich keeper. 1-1HT

The point was made to the lads that altho a lot of hard work had been done to get back into the match, it would count for nowt if they didn't go on and press for the 2nd goal. And that's what made the performance all the more pleasing, they went for it. Starting his first game of the season our new heavyweight super tanker target man up front, Iain Rose, had the chance to put us into the lead after the break with a free header in front of goal, but unfortunately without the aid of his specs he couldn't see where the net was but did manage to find the neighbours garden with his effort. However, his effort and workrate along with the Maestro's up front was superb and an inspiration to the rest of the team. As the half progreesed , you could see that Howrich were shaken and they started argueing amongst themselves. They weren't expecting this.
I would like say the winning goal came from a tactically genius substitution but it was down to necessity. By now Rosie was out of puff and had been replaced by Raz and Jacob had to leave the pitch for a hair appointment at 4.15. The Maestro had to be put at right midfield as oncoming  substitute Damon wasn't match fit and could only go up front. But the combination worked . The excellent Felgate took a free kick in our half, Damon won the flick on taking out 2 defenders and Raz had the brains to anticipate this and found himself with only the keeper to beat which he did with a superb effort. 2-1 Bolts.

Howrich went flat out for the equaliser, but the hard working midfield of Myers, Christian and Hulton protected the back four well. A couple or last ditch saves from Hoppo and quality defending meant thats how the match finished. A really good performance from everyone involved and no player really stood out against the other, but Man of Match goes to Felgate who has really improved as the season has gone on, The lager tasted good on Sat night.

Baz Ish