Bolton Ambassadors 1 Old Bolts 1
On a drizzly spring day Bolts B strode out against Bolton Ambassadors hoping to extend their lead at the top of the division. However, it was not to be plain sailing. Seconds before kickoff, Jeff Taylor observed that Gaffer Milne's shorts were inside out; the bashful but fastidious Milne subsequently chose to reveal all and rectify the matter whilst 22 other people on the pitch and Ross Taylor"s girlfriend observed.
Bolts had the better of the opening exchanges with a rasping shot from left back Lomax, and several excellent Milne corners which Bolts should have made more of. However, Ambassadors’ elusive attacking midfielder was being allowed too much space in the first half and they took the lead on one of their numerous counter attacks.
Half time came with Bolts a goal down, and it was time for a reshuffle. Olly 'the orchestrator’ Pimblett was to come on to add an extra body in midfield. Bolts soon upped the tempo and got a deserved equaliser when Gaffer Milne rolled back the years, and this time turned the Ambassadors’ right back inside out (a more appealing sight than his shorts) before providing a precision low cross for the reliable Bob Southern to tap home from close range.
Thereafter, Bolts probably had the best of proceedings, with Jeff Taylor and Adam Norse mopping up Ambassadors’ increasingly sporadic counter attacks, and the midfield five helping Bolts to spray the ball around with aplomb at times. Bob Southern nearly added to his total with a winner which went skimmed the outside of the post, and marauding full back Si Turner hit a belter with his left foot into the considerable frame of Olly ‘the orchestrator’ Pimblett. Without the aid of a replay, it is impossible to say if this was flying into the top corner: opinions varied between a definite yes and the possibility of windows being smashed, or the numerous circling birds being in grave danger.
A point may have been less than the Bolts hoped for, but this was a solid performance and a step closer to the championship glory the Bolts crave.