This time of the season sees games coming thick and fast – so it was a brilliant opportunity to quickly forget the debacle at Royton Town at the weekend. But the games don’t get any easier – as tonight saw Pennington FC once again make the journey to Radcliffe Road and knowing the battles we’ve already had against these this campaign, tonight promised to be no different. Still with title aspirations of their own, we knew they’d be coming here looking for all three points. It was our job to deny them that…

The wind and rain had been hammering The County Ground all day and it made for horrible conditions out there – but as the lads warmed up, there was work to be done – and the starting 11 saw the usual 4-3-3 shape with Ryan again between the sticks. The back four was made up of Charlie and Liam at full-backs with the normal pairing of Ben and Hodgy in the middle and Houghie was back with Shorty and Smalley in the heart of our midfield. Tonight’s top three saw Kez come in to join Ax and Carl and with George Booth back, he made the bench with Robbie Pollitt. The message was clear – do not lose this match – and with that, the lads were out there and ready for action…

The weather made for any attractive football and as both sides struggled to get to grips with the conditions, there was no real pattern to the play. County had the better of the possession though – and it was no surprise when we took the lead on 38 minutes. Some good play had seen us win a corner over on the left and as Carl trotted across to take it, there was the usual hustle and bustle in the mixer. In came the cross – and there was Ax to meet it at the back-post and somehow force it past the bodies on their line. A goal’s a goal – and we’ll take that thank you very much! 1-0 and County had the lead…

That was pretty much that for the first half and as the referee brought proceedings to a halt, it was the home supporters that were going for their brew the happiest…

Half-time: BOLTON COUNTY 1-0 Pennington FC

As the lads got their drinks, they were quickly reminded that despite the horrendous weather, we really needed to build on this lead now and make sure that we took any chances that came our way. There was no doubt that the away changing room was going to be rocking – as they needed these three points to keep challenging – so they were going to come out like a train and we had to deal with it. Weather the storm for the first 15 and then we get our way back into it. The players knew exactly what was being said and as they made their way back out there, they looked intent on putting it into action…

The expectation didn’t come to fruition really – as the away side tried and tried to penetrate but the wind was taking the ball or Ben and Hodgy were dealing comfortably with whatever was being thrown their way. We were denying them space to pick out passes and when we did get the ball down, there were times where we were looking dangerous. But there were no real chances of note and as the minutes ticked away, we were all hoping that we’d keep this lead…

However the visitors did level the score – and it was a massively fortuitous goal that saw them do it. A long-ball saw us back-tracking but we defended it well and saw it out for a corner. That was then swung in and as it caught the wind, it eluded the diving Ryan and hit a Pennington player about a yard out before hitting the back of our net. All of that hard work to be undone by a freak of nature! Football eh? 1-1 and the away side could sniff the win now…

But we didn’t fold and at points it looked like if there was a third goal, it would be us that got it – however by the time the man in black blew to end the match, the score ended level and it was a point apiece. More beneficial for us than the away side – as that is probably the end of their title hopes – but it’s another hard-earned point for us in our quest to climb as high as we can. A good effort and a good point when all’s said and done…

The handshakes were done with pride and it was good to see our lads wishing their opponents well in their Atherton Charity Cup Final against Hindsford on Bank Holiday Monday…

We’ve not much time to rest on our laurels though – because in less than 48 hours we have another big test in front of us when Uppermill visit the County Ground. Having turned us over with ease in the 1-4 Gilcryst Cup defeat not long ago, we know that we will have to be right at it from the start if we’re to get anything from that one as well. The lads will need you there cheering them on though…

A point is a point at the end of the day. That’s what we started with so we’ve not lost anything. Just need another big performance on Saturday now…

#UpTheCounty!