That win at Heyside last weekend was much needed – and that same spirit and determination was going to be required again here today – because we were making the short trip over to take on our old friends Pennington and with the hosts still up there fighting for the title, we knew we were going to have to be firing on all cylinders if we wanted to come home with anything…
With the lads stretched and their lungs pumping, the starting 11 was announced and the usual 4-3-3 shape was going to see Ryan between the sticks and a back four of Liam Hulme and Robbie Smith as full-backs and Ben partnering Hodgy in the centre. The midfield trio saw Ax drop in with Smalley and Shorty and the attacking combination today saw Carl joined by Chez and Charlie. That meant we had Robbie Pollitt, Jake and Matty Leigh to look at when we needed to switch things around. The Management team got into their lads by reminding them of that performance seven days ago and that if we played our football and fought for every ball, there was another quality in this changing room to win this one. The last-minutes preps were done and we out there ready to give it our all…
The first period was really even with both sides looking to pass the ball and get in behind. It was County who had the better of the ‘real’ chances though and a great move down our right saw the ball land at Charlie’s feet and he looked up to ping a cross into the run of Carl – but it was just too high and the chance was gone. We were looking alright so far and the hosts hadn’t managed to see sight of Ryan’s goal…
Their No.9 was really lively though and with the County defence marshalling him well, it was giving us a basis by which to try and create something. And just before the break, it was our travelling fans that were celebrating first. We won a free-kick out on the right and Ben went across to swing it in. The ball seemed to drop out of the sky right to Charlie and from 8 yards out, he had all the time in the world to pick his spot and slot the ball home! 1-0 County and as his team-mates jumped on him, the lad’s smile said it all…
That was that really for the first 45 and when the referee blew his whistle for the break, we knew that this was not over yet. Another half of grit and determination was needed now…
Half-time: Pennington 0-1 BOLTON COUNTY AFC
Words of encouragement were all that came out of the mouths of the coaches during the break – because that had been good so far. We needed to concentrate and keep focused now. They were going to come at us from the off and we just had to weather the storm and get back to playing our football. The lads knew it – and as they gulped their drinks, they looked like they really wanted this. Now they had to go and prove it…
We started the second-half brightly and at times, our football was a joy to watch. Chez came off for Matty on 55 minutes and shortly after, we thought we’d doubled our lead – only to see the ball blaze wide of the target. Robbie Smith swung a glorious ball in that was begging to be slotted home – and Ax took a touch around his man only to smash it wide of the mark. With his head in his hands, he knew that was a real chance – and in fact it probably changed the game. Because from that point onwards, the home side took control…
And within minutes the scores were level. They won a free-kick on the left and as it flew in, the ball evaded everybody and went straight into the back of our net. Such a shame considering the effort we’d put in – to concede as softly as that – but with the scores all-square again, there was work to be done now…
Both sides knew the importance of the next goal but in truth, Ryan barely had a save to make all afternoon. Our defenders had been working hard to cut out the spaces and we were forcing them to try from distance – but they couldn’t hit the target. Robbie Pollitt and Jake came on to freshen things up but with 82 minutes on the clock, the next goal came – and it was the hosts that scored it. They played the ball towards the left channel and as their striker got to it, he slammed the ball past Ryan from just inside the box. 1-2 and as the hosts wheeled away in jubilation, the shoulders of the County lads needed to rise quickly…
To our credit, we kept pushing and once more, Robbie Smith was the creator as he found Shorty in the box in a bit of space – but he just didn’t have the time to get his shot away. And as the game edged into it’s last-minute, we won a corner on the right. With all 11 of our players in their box, the ball came in – but they got to it first and a large boot upfield saw their striker unmarked and he walked it into the empty net to clinch the points and see the score-line end at 1-3 to the hosts. A good effort and if we’re honest, a point wouldn’t have been unexpected after how well we’d played. But we have to go again – and with the handshakes done with pride, both sets of players left the pitch to a warm round of applause…
We’d played some good football out there but at this stage of the season, good football isn’t enough. It’s points on the board that are desperately needed and that starts again next Saturday. Training will be used to tinker with a few ideas and when we come out next time, it’s those three points that we will be aiming for…
There’s still 13 league games left. That’s 39 points to play for. So nobody is panicking as there is class in this squad. We just need to relax, play without pressure and make sure that we put the ball away when the chance presents itself – and if we do that, then everything is going to be alright. Thanks to those of you that came over to cheer us on today – it’s much appreciated – and we hope to see you all again when we’re next playing…
But for now, it’s another one to put to the back of our minds and we go again. That’s all we can do isn’t it?
#UpTheCounty!