It’s been two weeks since we clinched our first point of the campaigh in Heywood – with last weekend’s schedule postponed as a mark of respect for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II – so although it had been a sombre week, it was going to be good to back to action. But as with most games in the Premier Division, this was going to be a tough test as we were making our way over to Woodhams Park to take on Dukinfield Town – and having lost 0-3 over here back in January, we knew that we would have to be on top of our game if we wanted to bring anything back to Bolton with us. But the mood in the camp was good and as we started arriving, it was still clear to see the quality we have at our service so it’s just about making sure they knew it was they got themselves ready…
Surprising us all, the sun had decided to make an appearance in East Manchester so with the temperatures warmer than we expected, the lads started their warm-up’s. The message was clear from our coaches – just get back to doing what we do best. Work hard, press them high up the pitch and play our football. The team was announced and it saw us going with a 4-3-3 shape with Charlie between the sticks and a back four of Robbie Pollitt and Keiran at full-backs with Smalley joined by Ben Tommo in the heart of it all. The midfield trio was made up of Shorty, Chris Hough and Robbie Kennedy and the three tasked with firing any chances away were to be Tom Ax, Carl and Mal. The bench only had three on today – those being Robbie Smith, Finchy and Matt – and as the team pulled their socks up and made their final preps, the travelling fans were expectant. Could today be the day we changed our fortunes? We would soon find out…
The opening exchanges saw both sides trying to get the upper-hand – with the midfield battle a fierce one – but when the opening goal came it was the home contingent that were celebrating loudest. They had worked the ball well down their left and when it was swung in, their striker seemed to have acres of space as the marking was poor and he made no mistake in rifling it home past Charlie. As he turned to celebrate with his team-mates, the County players needed to re-group. We needed to work even harder now. 0-1…
The game re-started and again, both teams were struggling to string their passes together. Sure, there were chances at each end – but nothing of note – and as the half wore on, it was going to take something special to break through these defences. But with 31 minutes on the clock, it was the County fans that were bouncing as we grabbed ourselves an equaliser. Winning the ball at the back, we fed it through the channels and at precisely the right time, Ax made his run to breach the offside trap. He raced forward and as their No.1 came out to narrow the angle, our hitman made no mistake as he planted his shot inch-perfectly to evade their keeper’s outstretched arm and as it nestled in the back of their net, Tom was jumped upon by his team-mates. 1-1 and we were back in it!
We just couldn’t find our rhythm for some reason though and when we did get a good chance to find the spaces in behind, we seemed to hold onto it just that bit too long and good sides like today’s hosts will chase you down. And just before the interval they did just that – and retook the lead! Another defensive mix-up saw what looked like a nothing ball turn into a world-beater – and there was their winger to stroke his shot past Charlie and into the back of our net. Was it any more than the home side deserved? Were we worthy of being level so far? That was for others to decide – we had a football match to get back into. 1-2…
That was that for the first period really as there wasn’t much played from the re-start and as the referee blew for the break, it was Houghie, Tommo and Damo that were the more-needing coaches…
Half-time: Dukinfield Town 2-1 BOLTON COUNTY
As the lads got their breathers, the coaches set about revigorating them and reminded them that when we did get the ball in good spaces, we needed to use it more wisely. We needed to ensure that if we get sight of goal, we took our chances and we had to raise it all over the park. There was work to be done – but we were more than capable of doing it – so as they gulped their drinks and got themselves ready for the second half, the fans of both sides were eager to see what the next 45 minutes or so would bring…
The second period started pretty tightly as both sides knew the importance of the next goal. If we could get it then surely the balance would swing in our favour but if the hosts were to grab it, then we would surely have too much work to do to get anything out of this. County had snapshots and some good possession of the football, but the clearer opportunities were falling the way of the home side and it took some good goalkeeping from our Charlie to stop them going further in front on 54 minutes when he made a fine save low down to his left. We made our first change just after the hour-mark and as the game wore on, it was easy to see that neither side wanted to show their hand. The County coaches were urging their troops on but for some reason we just couldn’t click and if we’re honest, it was Dukinfield that looked the most likely to score again. We had to up it. And we had to do it fast…
Finchy and Matt came on in place of Robbie Pollitt and Shorty and as we tried to force the ball forward to find that leveller, it looked at times as though the home team were more than happy to sit back and soak it up before counter-attacking at pace and making us back-track. They had several chances to pit the game to bed but a mixture of good goalkeeping from Charlie, some last-ditch tackles and some poor finishing meant that we were still very much in this right up to the wire. But when the man in the middle blew his whistle for the final time, that was that and it was the home side that were keeping all three points in Tameside. The handshakes were done with pride and as both teams left the pitch, it was clearly the Dukinfield players that were the happiest…
Defeat sees us sit in the bottom-three still and as the lads got themselves changed, the coaches told them that to win football matches, we need to dig deep and work a lot harder. Despite not playing anywhere near our full potential. we lost this game by those small margins we’ve seen already this season so we really need to start taking our chances when they present themselves. But that’s done now and we move on. Next Saturday sees us welcome 2nd Division Leigh Genesis to The County Ground in the 1st round of the Lancashire Amateur Cup so it will be good to have a break from the pressures of the league and hopefully we’ll be able to have some fun. We sure need it…
A massive thanks to those of you that travelled over to cheer us on today and we hope that you had a safe journey home. The lads are truly appreciative for your support…
So – another Saturday done – and we’re still searching for that first win of the season. Next weekend it is then yeah?
#UpTheCounty