Things are getting tight at the bottom of the Premier Division now and despite having plenty of games in hand on the teams above us, the fact that we’re below that relegation line isn’t a nice feeling. So today’s trip to fourth-bottom Heyside FC was a ‘must-win’ and each and every one of us associated to Bolton County knew that. And as we began to arrive, the mood was good. That was until we found out that we’d arrived for a 2pm kick-off only to then be informed it was in fact 3pm. Now we had to keep ourselves occupied..
The lads warmed up eventually and it was clear that there were to be sweeping changes from the team that started the 2-5 reversal away at Rochdale Sacred Heart last weekend – and when the starting 11 was announced, it was surely that. Ryan Garner was back between the sticks and the 4-3-3 shape today saw a defence made up of Robbie Smith and Brian at full-backs and Ben back partnering Hodgy in the middle. The usual trio of Houghie, Shorty and Smalley made up the midfield but it was up top that we saw the biggest changes as Carl was today joined by Chez and Charlie. The bench was made up of the returning Asumani, Sean and reserve-team skipper Matty Leigh and as the lads put the finishing touches to their socks and boots, the coaches message was clear – we had to give everything for the cause today. There was no way we could leave here without anything so it was about working hard for each other and relaxing enough to play the football that we know we are capable of. Both teams made their way out to an expectant crowd and as the referee blew his whistle to start proceedings, we settled back to watch what proved to be a thoroughly entertaining game of top-class football…
As the game began, there was no real shape to the play and both sides were struggling to get the ball down and play. County kept pressing them as high up the pitch as we could but then they nullified that by pushing their defence high up to condense the field. That meant there were scrappy parts to the game and not many chances. However when the first goal did come, it was the home fans that were cheering loudest – as their left-winger picked the ball up on the wing and cut inside to shoot from the edge of the box – and somehow the ball managed to wriggle through Ryan’s hands and into the back of our net. Not the start we wanted for sure and now there was plenty of work to do…
Thankfully the lads seemed up for that work though and going behind seemed to spark us into life – as we began to get the ball down more and find the passes that were counting. And just before the break, we were back on level-terms because of it. The ball was worked out to Carl on our left and as he crafted his cross in, there was Charlie to challenge with their keeper. Our attacker got to it first and all their No.1 could do was bring him down – leaving the man in the middle no choice to point directly at the spot. Up stepped Ben and on the whistle – BANG! – he arrowed his spot-kick low and hard into the bottom right-corner. 1-1 and it was all to play for again…
Half-time: Heyside FC 1-1 BOLTON COUNTY
Sometimes there are things that need to be said and other times the players know them themselves – so as the coaches prepped their troops for the second-period, they knew exactly what to say. We had done well so far out there – but there was still capacity to raise it another 10/20% – and if we did that, we could easily swing this game in our favour. So with their lungs re-filled, the lads were back out there looking determined to do just that…
The second period started pretty much the same as the first – with the ball spending most of it’s time in the middle third – but due to the hour delay to our expected kick-off, Brian had to leave before the end – so we made the switch of dropping Carl into the left-back berth and on came Asumani on the wing. This seemed to give us a little bit more down that side and as the game wore on, that next goal was going to be critical. Clear-cut chances were at a premium but on the balance of play, it was County that were just on top.
And then with 80 minutes on the clock, the game kicked into life – and boy did it kick! The ball was there in the middle to be won – but our Houghie smashed into their midfielder who in turn kicked our Chris in the face! This caused mayhem with both sets of players and benches going at it and when the referee managed to bring things back to a calm state, out came the red card for both and the game was now 10 against 10. With 10 minutes or so to go, would there be a winner? Oh yes there was…
Because within minutes, it was County that took the lead! We had worked the ball well and at precisely the right moment, the pass was fed into the run of Chez who surged forward and cooly slotted home past their stranded keeper! The County bench and travelling supporters were bouncing now and as Chez was smothered by his team-mates, he knew that could be one of the most important goals of the season. 2-1 to the Blues and we had something to look after now…
It got better as well. As the home side looked eagerly for a way back, they tried to clear the ball but Asumani blocked it and as the ball fell nicely, he ran through to take the ball around their No.1 and slide it home from about 8 yards out. 3-1 and surely that was the points coming home to Bolton now…
The home side knew they needed to throw the kitchen sink at us now and in fairness to them, they tried. With 87 minutes on the clock, they saw a great header crash against the underside of Ryan’s crossbar and away from danger so we knew that we needed to see this out. And thankfully – we did – so when the referee blew his whistle for the last time this afternoon, all three points were coming home with us. Phew…
Both teams shook hands with respect – especially considering what had happened only 10 minutes or so earlier – but the biggest smiles were on the faces of the lads in blue and as we left the field, we knew how big a win this was…
The coaches quite rightly praised their troops for that second-half display and they showed a real togetherness that will be needed between now and the end of the season. Robbie Smith was outstanding again and when Asumani came on, he changed the game. All over the pitch the lads can be proud of their efforts out there – and we now need to take that into the next one as we travel the short distance to take on 5th-placed Pennington. But for now this was a good day for County and as news filtered through that both our Reserves and Development squad had won as well, it had turned into a decent Saturday for the Club. Just over to the Women to do their stuff tomorrow now…
Thanks to those of you that made the trip over to cheer us on today and we hope to see you at Jubilee Park in seven days’ time…
#UpTheCounty!