Old Boltonians 'B'     4           Lymm ‘A"     0

Neasham (8)

Neasham (14)

Gavin (22)

Johnson (78)

Players are now returning thick and fast to the fold, and 19 were available for selection against table topping Lymm; the only side in the league with a 100% record. The wealth of talent available meant to pressure was on the manager to get the selection right. Expecting a tough ride from a side sitting pretty at the top, the 4-5-1 formation from the previous week was kept. The plan again was shut them out, battle through the first 60-70 mins and attack them for the last 20-30. Last weeks clean sheet meant Will kept his place ahead of the returning Olly, and Chris Hulton (Captain) returned to partner Crooky, with Martyn and J.C. completing a back 4 that not even the Barcelona front line and Lionel Messi could penetrate. Jack, Sheeny and Marcus were told to stifle their midfield and Jay and Stu instructed to support their full backs. Lymm were to get nothing out of us in the first half, and we would build off Neash’s hard work up front.

Following a good warm up, the lads were fired up and ready for a battle.

Lymm arrived late and just made it onto the field in time for kick off; no time to warm up or prepare! As instructed, right from the off the lad flew out of the blocks. Marcus (sober and running rings round their midfield right from the off) pounced on a loose Lymm pass, rounded the defender but was dragged down when clean through. Jack forced a fine save from the resulting free-kick, corner to Old Bolts. From the corner Stu stood the ball up on the edge of the 6 yard box and Neash powered in a header un-marked! 1-0! Perfect start! Still Lymm weren’t allowed to settle, Marcus robbing their defence again and powering his way into the box, showing composure to square to Neash who tapped into the net. 2-0! 5 minutes later Marcus was causing problems again, running through, beating a couple of defenders but failing to round the keeper. A cross from the left from Stu found Neash in space between defenders, his header producing an outstanding save from the keeper. Jack was pulled down 25 yards out, in the middle of the goal. Marcus stepping up (and slightly scuffing) his shot past the keeper for 3-0!

The lads had won every battle, and pinned a shell shocked Lymm side back into their own half for the full 45 mins. In truth, it could and should have been 6 or 7 by half time. It was an outstanding performance from all the lads, the work rate and desire couldn’t be faulted. Half time was about the first 15 mins, going back out and staying on the front foot. We knew Lymm would respond, could we maintain the high performance levels.

The second half started with Lymm trying to push Bolts back, but they weren’t getting much change from the superb back 4. Jay and Stu were working very hard on the wings to help the defence at one end and support Neash at the other. Changes were made Neash and Jack coming off and Ant and Liam going on. The changes freshened things up, and Bolts were back in the ascendancy, Stu’s shot rebounding to the ever alert Ant who finished expertly. The excellent Martyn had ran himself into the ground and was replaced by the hard working Dan. The game finished 4-0. Again Bolts could, and should have had more goals with Liam going closest to increasing the lead by forcing a superb double save from their keeper.

The performance was truly outstanding and puts the lad’s joint top (third on goal difference) and cannot be done justice in this short report. The most pleasing aspect was the way we started the game, not giving the opposition time to settle. All 14 players were exceptional, worked hard and deserve praise. A couple of mentions; Clean Sheet Crooky at the heart of the defence has not conceded a goal in his 3 games with the B team this season (commentators jinx!), Sheeny was outstanding once again, Chris Neasham (Shearer (he paid me to say it!)) won everything up front, and lead the line brilliantly. But man of the match went to Marcus Gavin; his first half performance was mesmerising, his work rate, pace, skill and desire drove the team forward.

Finally, with such a large squad, a number of lads were disappointed not to be involved on Saturday. However, they still showed up to cheer on the lads! Thanks to everyone who came up and supported us on Saturday, it’s that level of commitment that shows why this is the best club in the league!