Old Mancunians 'B' 2 Old Boltonians ‘B" 3
(13 mins) Gavin (22, 34, 65)
Anderton (82 mins o.g.)
The ‘B’ team’s last outing was the 26th November and we went into that game top of the league, and full of confidence. Having lost that game and with other teams playing games during our winter break, we find ourselves down in third place; just behind Mostonians and Thornleigh. This meant we would have to respond; nothing less than 3 points was our remit. After a week of torrential rain, no one expected the game to be on, and a few of the regular lads took the chance to extend their winter break. However, despite the weather the game remained on, and a squad was assembled. Given the importance of the game, combined with our inconsistency away from the fortress Chapeltown we lined up 4-5-1. Will continued in goal with JC at right back and ‘The footballer formerly known as Crooky’ at centre back, Gaz Cowell came in at left back to replace Martyn and Mark Worsley replaced Chris Hulton to complete a solid back 5. A familiar midfield of Jay on the right, Stu on the left and Sheeny, Marcus (Capt) and Liam in the middle were to support Anthony up top on his own. The aim was to overrun the midfield, stop the opposition from settling then our superior fitness would tell and we could push Liam on to support Ant and create a few chances. Vinny, Tim ‘Samps’ and Adam lined up on the bench, and in Daves Hughes absence Blingo assisted Mitch in the dug-out.
It’s axiomatic that the best sides are the best prepared. With this in mind our convoy, competently lead by Will set out from the Three Pigs with plenty of time to negate the inevitable Trafford Centre gridlock. During this gridlock, it transpired that our convoy was heading to the wrong pitch! A quick call to Will, and we where (apparently) back on track. After a brief tour of Manchester (being able to see the pitch from the motorway is apparently no help when it comes to finding it) the majority of us arrived 10 mins before kickoff. However, ‘The footballer formerly known as Crooky’, Marcus and Liam had still managed to go to wrong pitch. After several phone calls, they were directed in and we kicked off, a mere 20 mins late.
Regardless of the poor preparation and the gale force wind sweeping across the pitch, we started the brighter. Anthony, having scored four against Old Manc’s in a pre-season friendly was clearly in the mood to torment them again. Every ball forward was sticking, allowing Liam, Marcus and Sheeny to push on and press the opposition back. Having turned up late and then dominating the early encounters, Vinny (as Linesman) obviously thought this wasn’t the proper etiquette and kept his flag down during Manc’s first attack; he later described the forward as being 3 millimeters on side. 1-0 Old Manc’s. We didn’t panic, continued to play our football and before long Marcus was released down the left wing, cutting inside and his deflected shot found the back of the net. 1-1! Ant continued to hold the ball up well, give Marcus time to run from midfield un-marked. Eventually the combination resulted in goal, good work from Anthony and Jay found Marcus 3 yards out to tap in, 2-1 half time.
The half time chat was about Vinny’s 3 millimeters and the lads going through the gears and upping the tempo. We were the better side, but were playing at a very pedestrian pace; first game back it may be, but we couldn’t afford any slip ups.
The second half started and resumed a similar pattern to the first with Ant winning everything and the midfield 5 pushing on to support him. Before long, Marcus again found space feeding off Ant; one on one with the keeper and on a hat-rick he opted to pass to Ant but the wind took his wayward pass and curled it into the corner of the goal. 3-1 Bolts. The three substitutions were made; Jay for Vinny, Liam for Samps and the impressive Anthony for Adam. More chances came and went, the pick of which saw the industrious Gaz Cowell, breaking into space created by Stu and firing a screamer of a shot from 25 yards that the keeper at full stretch finger tipped onto the bar. Just before the end, on a rare attack, an Old Manc’s shot was deflected past Will into the corner to make it 3-2. I unfortunately missed the goal, but I am told it deflected off ‘The footballer formerly known as Crooky’, but as all B team O.G.’s (except those scored by ‘The Chairman’) have to credited to Dan Anderton, even though he wasn’t in the team on Saturday.
As is tradition I’ll conclude with a couple of performances that deserve a mention. Marcus ran and ran, their midfield and defense had no idea how to deal with his late runs from midfield; Scholes at his peak. Samps was impressive during his cameo, and probably should have scored. The team as a unit were incredibly solid, and restricted Manc’s to very few opportunities. The 2 goals we did concede were very unfortunate and came from a total of 3 maybe 4 chances. Match of the match went to Anthony, who on his own up front, chased everything, won every 50/50 and tormented their back four all afternoon. To get MOM when a team-mate scores a hat-rick tells you how well he played on Saturday. An outstanding all round performance that allowed us to leave 5 in midfield without losing our attacking threat.