Last weekend’s home defeat to league-leaders GT7 Academy was a distant memory as the girls started arriving for this one – because this was the one that mattered most! We were making the short trip over to Bolton St Catherines Academy to take on Bolton Wanderers Women Reserves – who had only played one league game so far but battered Blackpool Girls Development squad in that – so we all knew that we would have to be at our very best if we wanted to bring anything back home across Bury Road. The mood was good in the camp though and as the girls were put through their paces, the County fans were quietly optimistic about this one…
It was always going to be a tough ask – but that was made even more challenging when the Wanderers took an early lead from a long-ball that saw their winger nip in and as she drew back her foot to shoot, it looked like it took a wicked deflection to see it past our Becky and into the back of our net. 0-1 and we had it all to do now…
But going behind seemed to spur the County players on and as the minutes ticked by, we eased ourselves into the game with some slick passing and good movement off the ball. And when we played a great ball through to the in-form Amelia, the travelling fans looked on expectantly – and our Amelia didn’t disappoint as she slotted it home from about 10 yards out. We were all-square again and this was definitely game on. 1-1…
However the parity was short-lived as the hosts seemed to notch it up a gear now and they retook the lead when they finished off a corner from the right with a tidy finish low and hard past our Becky. 1-2 – but we’d pulled it back once already so the hope was we could do so again…
The game ebbed and flowed now – with both sides seeing chances to score again – but nothing was converted and as the minutes ticked by, it was like a game of chess at some points as neither team wanted to budge an inch. We were really unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Del was clearly pushed to the ground by the Wanderers keeper as a cross came in – but to everybody’s amazement, the referee waved play on and the chance was gone. Strange as that was a solid foul – but there was no time for debating it as the whistle went for the break and as the girls trotted in, they knew what they needed to do in the second period…
Half-time: Bolton Wanderers Women Reserves 2-1 BOLTON COUNTY WOMEN
As the girls came in for their drinks, the coaches set about their task – and that was to remind our players that we had more than enough in this squad to pull this back. We had matched them all over the pitch so now it was about fitness and concentration. Keep playing our game. Keep working hard and more importantly – put away any chances that may come our way. Those that needed them swallowed their drinks quickly. pulled their socks up nice and straight and before we knew it, they were back out there ready to do it all again…
Unfortunately though, the second-half couldn’t have started any worse as the hosts increased their lead near-enough as soon as the break was over – but despite this, the County girls continued to battle hard for every ball, every header and every tackle and we were still making chances for our attacking threats but just couldn’t convert one of them. The home fans were boisterous – as were their players and coaching staff – and at times it was pretty unsavoury but we kept to our morals, kept trying to play our football and for the most part, we stayed away from any of the shenanigans that the hosts were trying to draw us into. The girls must be respected for that at least…
Wanderers did manage to score again when another long-ball caught us out and as their striker approached our box and shot, it looked as though Becky had managed to save it – but there was just enough power on it to see the ball go past her out-stretched arm and into the back of our net. So unlucky from our No.1 and so lucky for them! 1-4 and there was a lot of work to be done now…
We kept plugging away and at times, it didn’t look as though this game should have been decided by such a big margin – but then the hosts scored again somewhat against the run of play – and when the referee decided he had seen enough and blew time on this match, it was the Wanderers that had kept the points – but that’s no discredit to our girls. The score-line was flattering considering the game we had just watched and in truth, we just wanted to get our stuff and get home to prepare for Blackburn Community SC Girls Reserves next weekend. Our performance this afternoon did not warrant such a result – so it’s back to the drawing board and let’s see what we come out with next Sunday eh?
The whole squad were praised as they left the field of play as they had battled hard for the whole 90 minutes and showed a maturity in what can only be described as a hostile atmosphere both on and off the pitch. At least we won’t play these every weekend – that’s one positive – so to that point, each and every County player involved this afternoon was awarded the Girl of the Game!
We move on. Put this one behind us and focus on next Sunday.
#UpTheCounty!