Old Bolts B 4 Lymm A 2
The 5TH consecutive victory for the B team was marred by a nasty injury to Mark Brookes from an innocuous challenge in the 35th minute. Up to that point the Bolts were cruising with a two goal lead and in control of the game. Rob Southern timed his runs twice to beat the offside trap from Milne through passes to beat the Lymm defence and set up Andy Beardsworth who took his chances well.
But as Brooks was stretchered off to a waiting ambulance with a dislocated knee, the Bolts lost their balance and Lymm took advantage by sneaking back into the game with a goal just before half time to make it 2-1 .
This wasn't going to be an easy second half with Taylor and Milne adjusting to a midfield without Horan and Brookes but within 15 minutes, up stepped the new boy to the club, Mark Lomax who strode majestically on to long ball up the left flank from Wes Davies. Lomax unleashed a fine left foot shot that flew passed the helpless Lymm keeper to make it 3-1. It was a priceless goal and it settled the B team nerves just as Lymm were beginning to take charge.
Then with 20 minutes left Rob Southern, continued his phenomenal scoring run with a great shot from 20 yards from a through ball from Ross Taylor. The Bolts stabilised and coped well despite the neat passing from Lymm although they failed to stop a consolation goal with 10 minutes left.
Matt Fray, returning to the club had a sound game in goals and Adam Norse bossed the defence well despite being under pressure for much of the second half.
Not one of the Bolts best performances of the season but by grinding out the win it shows what can be done even with three key players - Brookes, Barrett and Horan all injured. The team will however need to be more disciplined if they are to continue this fine run of victories that puts them joint top of the league!