With the games coming thick and fast now, it was a trip over to Sale for the Daves, Damo and the lads tonight and with the evening sun shining brightly, we were making our way over to ensure that these three points came back to Bolton with us. Points on the board is what it is all about at this stage of the campaign and we knew that winning here would really help us achieve our goal – and that’s securing our Premier Division status for the 2023-2024 season. So as we started to meet at Crossford Bridge, the mood was good and the players looked up for it…
We were late kicking off as it seemed the home side were enjoying the weather that much they’d forgotten to put the goals up – but after the warm-up, the starting 11 was announced and Charlie was back between the sticks for this one. It was the now obligatory 4-3-3 shape with Robbie Smith back in at right-back joining Jack, Ben and Liam Hulme in defence. The midfield trio was to be Smalley, Shorty and Carl again and the front-three consisted of Ax, Matt and Robbie Pollitt. There was quality on the bench as well with the likes of Chris, Reiss and George Booth to call upon when needed and as the teams got themselves ready, a tidy little crowd had started to gather. The match officials were ready. The players were ready. And with a sharp blast of his whistle, the referee started proceedings…
The first 20 minutes or so saw Old Alts on top and they kept trying the same long ball over the top – and for some reason it was causing us trouble to start with. But we slowly got to grips with it and as we settled into our game, we started to take control of the ball in the better areas. The pitch wasn’t in the best of nick though and it made our passing game a little less predictable than it should have been. It was bothering the hosts though – as most of their play was being punted from back to front – and a couple of times they managed to get through but there was Charlie to pull out two smart saves to keep it level. We’d had the better chances though and on 40 minutes, we managed to make one count. The ball was played into the mixer and as it bounced around, there was Smalley to let fire from 10 yards out that saw the ball fly past their No.1 before he could even react and it nearly ripped through the net as it hit the back of it. A great strike and we now had the lead and something to look after 1-0 County!
We should have doubled our lead a minute later as well when Smalley again had a good chance – but with him thinking that his left-foot is just for standing on, he decided to square it instead and the home defence managed to smuggle it away. The whistle went for the break shortly after and as the lads left the field of play, it was the County fans that were the happier…
Half-time: Old Altrinchamians 0-1 BOLTON COUNTY
The coaches were happy as they got their troops in but reminded them that we needed to keep concentrating and keep our eyes on the prize – all three points. We were halfway there but nothing was won yet so keep working hard and keep winning your own battles. There was something to look after and we needed to make sure we did just that. No changes were made, the drinks were gulped down and before we knew it, they were back out there ready to do it all again…
The next 45 minutes was a repeated pattern of County making chance after chance – but not managing to put any of them away. Robbie Pollitt had a glorious opportunity that he could only fire wide and when Reiss came on, he also could have increased our lead but mis-hit his shot and made it easy for their keeper to stop it. We needed to be more relaxed in front of goal and not force it if we wanted to get that all-important second goal…
Things were getting nervy the longer the half went on as we knew the difference between the three points we had in our hands compared to the one we’d get if they equalised – and it made some of our play a little rushed and reserved. What made that worse was when the game ticked past the 90 minute mark – and the referee decided to play an additional 9 minutes he’d found from somewhere. This seemed to spark the home team into life and they threw everything at us trying to get that elusive goal…
And they very nearly got it you know if it wasn’t for our Charlie. He made two fantastic saves to deny them a share of the spoils and keep his clean-sheet – but when they won a corner on 98 minutes, we all thought he’d been beaten – only to see the header fly inches wide of his upright and away from danger. Phew…
But that was that. We’d done it. Mission accomplished and three points in our pot. That’s what we’d come for so it was all good. The lads had put in a proper graft to secure this win and with it, almost guaranteed safety in this division. The handshakes were done with pride as both teams left the pitch and as the fans made their way to their cars, the chat was about how well we’d dug in and got over the line…
Things don’t end there though. As we go into Saturday’s trip to 7th-placed Royton Town, we sit five points clear of the relegation zone with games in hand on the teams below us. We will not rest on our laurels though as every point is precious – so it would be great if you could get over to cheer us on at the weekend. Your support is always truly appreciated…
But as we made our way back around the M60 after this one, it was smiles all-round. We knew we had to win this – and we did it! Job done in our book…
#UpTheCounty!