OLD BOLTS B v ROSSENDALE AMATEURS B:
The 2009 version of the Old Bolts B Team is a completely different animal compared to previous years; it has evolved into a team which now combines youth, experience and more importantly talent. A side that on their day can beat any team in this league, but who are equally capable of giving away a lead.
It could be argued that the Old Bolts B Team are in a classic Catch 22 situation caught between finishing the season strongly on the one hand and trying to avoid promotion on the other.
Rossendale Amateurs B came into the match above the Old Bolts in the League table and on paper therefore this game should have been a good test and in what was to be the last home game of the season.
Old Bolts had a string of talented absentees; including Barrett (sore heel) Davies (blister) Juan Sebastian Freeborn (still in Argentina), Cowgill (unavailable), and Griffiths (trying to protect his girlfriend from the attentions of Norse). Despite these unavailable players the Old Bolts starting XI still had a solid appearance to it.
The pre match warm up consisted of the same routine as most weeks; firstly Si Turner arrived in his Lycra having cycled from the other end of the world to get to the game, secondly all the team putting on the wrong coloured shirts and having to change 5 minutes before kick off ('Rossendale play in red' - words uttered by Rog Mile on Thursday night before the game with Ainsworth), thirdly 20 minutes of belting the ball as hard as possible at Dave Sandbrook and lastly an inspirational and rousing team talk by Rog – with the team line up and formation being disclosed to the players a mere 12 seconds before kick off. It"s all about preparation you know!!
Despite the relatively shoddy preparation Bolts began the game on the front foot. Young Pike on the left and Bob Southern upfront were causing Rossendale problems and this was backed up by a defence, which looked steady and solid. After 20 minutes of the match all the good Bolts play had gone unrewarded when suddenly the ball broke on the right hand side of the six yard box; the ball was a matter of inches from the goal line, albeit on a slight angle. Unfortunately for the Bolts the ball broke to Rick ‘Killer’ Kilburn who proceeded to smash the ball away from goal, with the ball ultimately ending up closer to the farmer’s field than the back of the net.
Shortly after Young Pike succumbed to a thigh strain (unable to handle the pace of the fourth teams counter attacks) and a substitution was required. The Bolts looked for Manager Milne to make a swift and decisive change – but Milne in his old age was watching the wrong game. An executive decision was made and Armstrong was thrown on down the left flank.
Bolts pressure deserved a goal and when it finally arrived it was a beautiful finish; well actually it was a miss hit tap in from 4 yards by Brookes, but they all count. The goal itself was manufactured down the Old Bolts left flank and after a scramble in the box the ball fell to Brookes, who bobbled a left foot shot into the corner.
Rossendale continued to offer nothing upfront and Dave Sandbrook cut a lonely figure in his goal; little did he know that the warm up would be the most exciting part of his afternoon!!
The Bolts continued to press and a second goal was only a matter of time. The goal arrived after good work by Bob Southern down the right after a Kilburn through ball; Southern cut the ball back and found the returning terrier that is Andy Beardsworth, who coolly slotted the ball into the empty net.
Half time arrived with the B team 2 – 0 up. A second sub had to be made at Half time as Olly had to catch a train to Chorley (which meant the rest of team did not have to listen to Olly try and claim he should play in midfield for the second half, as happens every week). Olly was to be replaced by ‘Bobby Charlton’ according to one Rossendale Scamp; which is a touch harsh on Justin, but everyone could see a passing resemblance.
As the second half began it was clear that a third goal from the Bolts would kill the game off. When the goal did come 10 minutes in to the second half it was one which deserved to settle any game.
The goal came after the hapless Rossendale keeper emerged from his box to deal with a hopeful through ball. The keeper miss kicked the ball towards the half way line, where it was intercepted by Brookes in the centre circle. Brookes took one touch to control the ball before dispatching the ball back over the keeper’s head with unerring accuracy. The first team looked on in awe from the neighbouring pitch and could only applaud the quality of the goal.
After the 3rd goal the result was no longer in doubt and Brookes rapidly departed and was replaced by the gaffer in centre midfield. Bolts continued to play good football and created several openings. In contrast the Rossendale attack looked like they would not score in a month of Sundays.
Towards the end Bolts had 2 great chances to extend their lead. Firstly Bob Southern was sent clean through, his performance deserved a goal, but unfortunately he shot too close to the keeper who made a comfortable save.
The second chance/miss caused the biggest cheer of the day. Beardsworth broke down the left of the penalty area and when he looked up he was clearly horrified to see Milne unmarked. Beardsworth tried to wait for more reliable reinforcements, but none arrived. Reluctantly Beardsworth rolled the ball across to Milne, whose ageing legs failed to properly connect with the ball and the chance was missed. Everyone but Milne was entertained and relieved by his failure to score; no one enjoys a post match pint with Milne when he has scored!!
Just before the final whistle Kilburn in his usual mild mannered way managed to wind up his opposite number to such an extent that the Rossendale player earned himself a red card.
In all this was a good, solid display by the B team. Special mention should be made to Norse playing out of position at left back who talked to the rest of the defence throughout the game; Si Turner, Bob Southern and Hulk Horan who ran and worked tirelessly all game.
Joking aside the B Team have the nucleus of a very good team who are more than capable of winning this league next year; but only if Milne can keep the Vultures away from his star players in the close season.
By Mark Brookes.