First Team v. Old Boltonians (h) 23rd July 2022 (2pm kick-off)
As we arrived at The County Ground this afternoon, the place had a good feel to it – with both the 1st’s and the reserves picking up good wins in midweek. But this was about getting more minutes in the legs as the season creeps towards us and as we set up the ‘spare’ pitch, we awaited the entrance of today’s opponents Old Boltonians – who finished in a respectable 5th position in the Lancs Amateur League Premier Division last season. With Houghie away cycling, it was down to Tommo and Damo to see us through this one – and as the squads began arriving, it was clear to see that there were several faces missing. But the strength in depth we’re starting to see within the Club was there again as we were able to call on good, quality replacements that turned out at Breightmet United on Thursday night. Club skipper Matty Ormrod took the warm-up’s as he steps up his pre-season work and as the lads came out for the start, it was good to see a bit of a crowd there to cheer them on. We were going with what looked like a 4-3-3 shape that meant Pomf took the gloves with a back four of Robbie Pollitt and Ben Tomlinson at full-backs and Finchy partnering Jack in the heart of the defence. The midfield three were made up of Shorty, Smalley and new-face Alex Williams and with Carl and Mal supporting Tom Axon-Smith up top, we were good to go. The bench comprised of Robbie Smith and Jacob Mulkeen and as the referee (massive thanks to Martin for officiating this one for us) pulled his whistle to his lips and blew it for the first time, we were off…
Well it proved to be a good workout as the visitors didn’t come to simply make up the numbers – and as the lads worked themsevles into the game, we saw snippets of some really good football. Every time Carl got the ball on the left, he was terrorising their full-back and wheneve they did get the ball up top, Jack and Finchy were dealing with whatever they could throw at us. And it was County who took the lead when a good move down our right saw the ball played into the six-yard box – and there was Tom Axon-Smith to get his toe to it before the defender could react and bang! – it hit the back of the net before their No.1 could react. A great finish and we were 1-0 to the good…
Back came the team in black and white though and confusion between Finchy and Robbie Smith – when it looked as though all they needed to do was talk – saw their striker nip in and with Chris off his line and wrong-footed, he had the simple task of slamming it into the back of our net. Despite us looking the most likely, the score was back level again. 1-1…
As expected in pre-season friendlies, changes were aplenty and as the half wore on, both sides were showing signs of it being early into the campaign – as passes went astray and the movement was a little rusty – but County always looked dangerous when we got the ball out wide and Mal had a couple of good efforts that flashed just wide. The half petered out though as as the referee halted proceedings, we were coming in all square. A good half – but we could still raise it a lot more…
Half-time: BOLTON COUNTY 1-1 Old Boltonians
Tommo and Damo set about delivering their message and although they knew that we hadn’t really started, they were fully aware of where we are so far in the season. There was some good stuff – and there was stuff we could do better – so all we needed to do was get our foot on the ball, play the simple pass and make sure we tracked back with our man. Composure would breed confidence – so just take your time and make the right choice. The drinks were drunk and the lungs were re-filled – and before we knew it, we were back out there again and ready to go.
The second half began as the first had ended – with both sides looking lively but with the team in blue seeing the most of the ball. Once again, it was that man Ax who nothced the next goal – with a glorious ball from Robbie Pollitt seeing our striker put clean through on goal – and Ax used all of his nounce to see off their big No.5, brushing him aside and sliding the ball past their keeper from about 12 yards out. Another great finish and it was County who were back in front. 2-1…
There may have been temperatures of over 35 degrees only four days ago but this was a drizzly afternoon that was making the ball zip around the pitch but as the half wore on, County were using it to their advantage – knocking the ball about from left to right and back again – and this was pulling their defence all over the place. With the gaps opening up, it was that man Ax once again who managed to grab the next goal – with another bursting run into the box seeing him get on the end of a great ball across from Mal to hammer it home and leave their No.1 with no chance of stopping it. A hat-trick to add to his brace on Wednesday night and it looks as though Ax means business already. 3-1 to County and surely that was this game in the bag…
Alex Williams thought he had got his name on the scoresheet with 78 minutes gone – but as he managed to get his boot to a great cross to the back post, all he could do was see his shot slam against the top of the post and away from danger. So close to a goal on his first-team debut – but the game went on and we had to concentratre to see this one out…
We did switch off before the end though and with 88 minutes on the clock, the visitors made it an interesting last few as they managed to grab their second with a good finish to a flowing move down their left. The ball came into the box and before Chris could do anything about it, the ball was nestling in the bottom of his net. 3-2 and this was closer than it ever should have been…
But we saw it through and when the referee decided he had seen enough, he blew his whistle for the final time and that was two wins out of two for our boys. Nuff respeck’ to today’s visitors though and we wish them all the very best for the coming season. But this was about us getting ready – and although it wasn’t perfect, it was job done. The handshakes were done with pride and as the players left the field of play, they knew that it was more minutes in the tank in preparation of the real stuff…
Tommo and Damo were happy – the lads may not have gone full steam but we ticked over nicely – and a win is a win after all so as we move on to welcoming Horwich RMI to the County Ground next weekend, we do it with an unblemished record so far. Long may it continue eh?
A massive thank-you to those of you that came down to roar us on this afternoon and we wish the travelling supporters a safe journey home. But for now, it’s a case of ‘job done’ and we can now continue with the hard work before next Saturday…
Can’t ask for more than a victory can we?
Up The County!!!
Att: 35
