OLD MANCUNIANS  0   ;    OLD BOLTONIANS   2
                                                 Christian, Beardall


So it finally arrived. The first game of the season was away at a team that had been promoted, the 3rds had a mixture of the old and the new and what would the team spirit be after a hard season last term? Well, all turned out fine after the team made slightly hard work of beating a poor Mancs team but it was a promising start to what could be a very good season for the lads if they continue to play with the effort and desire they showed in deep Wythenshawe on Saturday.

With our manager busy mowing the lawn for his Mum, it fell to Hughesy to fire the lads up and ask the questions that needed answering. The game started well enough and it became apparent that these boys were here for the taking if Bolts fancied it. The first 20 mins saw the ball in the back of the Mancs net but it was disallowed for some reason. Raz and young Kyle put the Mancs defence under a lot of pressure and it looked as if it was only a matter of time before we would take the lead. The back four looked solid under Ishaque's marshelling with Campbell along side and Felgate and the slightly combustible DanAn were playing well at full back. However as the half progressed, Mancs started to get a foothold in the match and it took a couple of quality saves from Oli to keep the score level. One could not fault the lads desire to play good football and team spirit, but it was as if the lads were too fired up and eager, speeding the game up to 100mph insteading of relaxing, enjoying and caressing the football. We went in 0-0 HT.

Big Dave pointed out where it was not quite right at HT and Bolts were much better in the second half as they slowed the play down and believed in themselves. The central midfield pairing of Christian and Mullins began pulling the strings together and Jack put Bolts ahead on 65 mins. Showing his quality at this level, Marcus intelligently headed the ball down into the path of Jack on the edge of the box who caught it sweetly on the half volley and it flew into the top corner, nearly taking the head of anyone in its path. 0-1 Bolts. Raz had couple more chances and Kyle ran his little socks off and both were unlucky not to notch. But it was Vinny who came closest to getting a second, after latching onto a ball out of defence only to have his effort cleared off the line by the now desperate Mancs defender.

Finally, the second goal and the 3 points came with 5 mins left as Beardall, who came on as sub with the right attitude, floated over a top corner that drifted over the keepers head and went straight in despite various teammates (esp Marcus) trying to claim a touch. 0-2 Bolts FT

Funniest moment of the match was when DanAn finally exploding into a hissy fit after his teammates and bench dared to ask him to mark a Manc forward at a corner, and a big thank you goes to Andy Arnold coming on late to help shut up shop. Also thanks to Hughesy for the help from the sideline. Man of the match nearly went to Jack for his efforts in midfield and  his goal, but the award goes to Big Oli in nets, who altho not too busy, pulled off some quality stops when needed.

An excellent start to the season.