Mostonians A 3 Old Bolts A 3 (*Old Bolts win 4-2 on Pens)

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, the A team have
significantly improved 3 games in to this season. This upturn in fortunes
has been helped with the addition of new tattoos, new haircuts and crucially
new talent across all areas of the pitch. But enough about Ishaque's long
standing marriage potential girlfriend, the A team regulars are grateful for
the addition of such talent as Rob Fenton, Left winger Rob and Goalkeeper
Will (full names will be learnt for future reports).

Despite this influx of talented players with fitness levels never before
seen at this level and on the back of 2 emphatic victories, Old Bolts
started off poorly against a Mostonian side plying their trade in the
division below. Mostonians were dominating the central midfield areas with
the energetic Edmo' wondering what had happened to his midfield partner. Old
Bolts were chasing shadows at times, struggling to get control of the ball,
struggling to make any real impact in Mostonian's final third and struggling
to stand up against the force 9 gale (according to meteorologist Hughes).

Centre-backs Fenton and Davids are more than good enough to cope under
pressure and defended admirably during the torrid opening spell of the
match. Despite controlling possession, Mostonian's were unable to create any
clear cut chances and as with the previous 2 games, at any sight of threat
to the Old Bolts goal, giant Goalkeeper Will collected crosses and commanded
the box like someone capable of playing at a much higher level.

Unfortunately, a loose back-pass left Davids stranded and he made sure that
the Mostonian forward could not get to the loose ball. Sadly, this was
deemed to be outside the laws of the game and a penalty was awarded.
Goalkeeper Will pulled off a fantastic save but in reflecting how the game
had gone so far, a Mostonian player was first to loose ball to despatch it
in to the back of the net.

Old Bolts, behind for the first time this season, began to establish
themselves in the match. Their best endeavour came out wide with Hulton
linking up well with Left-winger Rob. Hughes and Rose worked tirelessly
upfront but struggled to deal with the less than perfect service from a
midfield unable to support them whilst also stemming the Mostonian
break-aways.

In true managerial selflessness, Rose sacrificed himself from the team at
the half-time interval, allowing Ellis to move up front, Davids to move in
to midfield and the Ishaque to take up his role in central defence. Within
minutes of the restart, Hughes, fresh from his half-time wind gauge
measurements, smashed in a cross from Left winger Rob in to the top corner.
Celebrations were slightly muted by the fact that we all understood that we
would be hearing about that finish for quite some time - and rightfully so.

Perhaps Old Bolts took that concern too seriously and worked hard to ensure
that the game would contain more incidents. With that in mind, Mostonians
promptly regained the lead with what in an unforgiving world would be
classed as an own goal.

Thankfully, going behind did not really upset Old Bolts and why should it?
Mostonian's were pushing up to the half way line, leaving plenty of space
behind the back 4 and for once we appeared to have a referee that did not
assume all forwards must be offside. Perhaps with a bit more experience and
quality then last year, Old Bolts used the space behind their back 4 and
started to threaten at will. A cute ball through from midfield saw Ellis
sprint through and shoulder charge the Mostonian centre back in to
submission. The ageing forward was shocked to see that in 14 years of
playing for Old Bolts he had finally out-muscled someone, took some time to
compose himself and despatched the ball in to the net. It was 2 goals a
piece, the dark was descending, but Old Bolts felt certain they had the
measure of their opponents.

Such confidence can be miss-placed and so it initially proved. Mostonian's
were back in front with about 5 minutes to go. Fortunately, Old Bolts
continued to believe in their ability and tactics and another inch-perfect
through ball allowed Ellis to equalise for the final time. Old Bolts could
have won it at the death with the best move of the match which led to the
tireless Edmo' smashing a long range effort off the cross-bar via a finger
tip save from their goalkeeper.

It was dark. We were playing in south-central Oldham. Creatures of the night
were starting to emerge. There was no way in hell we were going to stick
around for extra time so the game went straight to penalties. At times like
these, you pray for a keeper with the stature and sheer presence of
Portsmouth's very own Goalkeeper Will. He made 2 outstanding saves and
completely took the pressure off the Old Bolts penalty takers and to finish
it off, Will stepped up to take the winning penalty and deservedly earn
himself the Man of the Match award. Awesome stuff and will live on in Old
Bolts 'A' memory - well that and Edmo's love affair with the crossbar.
Apparently, the inseparable pair were seen driving off together in to the
dusk. Get a room.