Old Bolts 'A' 4-2  Castle Hill Reserves

After a disappointing result the week before, losing 4-2 to Little Lever ‘B", a much improved performance was required, nay....demanded by the thirds management. 

In true Old Bolts fashion the troops duly responded with a gritty football master class. With the opposition winning their opening three games and scoring 18 goals in the process we knew we would have a fight on our hands.

Thankfully the Bolts were bang up for this fixture and were not intimidated by Castle Hills rugby style football thuggery that stains the respectable image of the Lancs Amateur League. As early as the fifth minute Dave Hughes scored an easy opener. A Jimmy Hark through ball behind one of the centre backs saw the oncoming keeper beaten to the ball by a sliding Dave Hughes from 18 yards out. The ball trickling over the line as their remaining centre back tried to get back to clear.

The second goal soon followed some nifty work from the left winger Cris Beardall and a whipped in cross saw Jimmy Hark nip in front of the keeper and beat him at his near post. An early forced substitution saw Jon Twist come on at right back, after El Capitan (Andy Witter) duly tried to decapitate Rosie when both players challenged for the ball. (Cheers Andy, I now look like a better looking Steve Bruce and have ran out of frozen peas).

The third goal was a deft lob by Jimmy Hark. A tremendous ball over the top of the back four from Raz (Ryan Hardwidge) resulting in the feisty firefly Jimmy Hark, latching on to it and delicately lifting the ball over the oncoming keeper from 18 yards out.

The fourth and killer goal came courtesy of Ryan Hardwidge.  Again more great play from Cris Beardall, a superb ball across the park saw Raz slot into the bottom corner. An unassailable 4-0 half time lead.

Castle Hill threw everything including the kitchen sink at the A team in the second half. This was however to no avail, as every player worked their socks off. We conceded a couple of cheap goals as we tired a little, but that is understandable after the amount of effort we put in.

I would also have to commend my players on their conduct, for as the game went on, opposition got more and more frustrated and resorted to clumsy thug like tackles as they wallowed in their inability to compete with the quality A team performance. But the Bolts though just got on with the job and did not retaliate.

WELL DONE LADS, YOU SET AN EXAMPLE TO THE REST OF THE CLUB!