The win at home to Heyside last Saturday was well deserved – and showed that when we put our minds to it, anything is possible. But today was going to be a completely different prospect as Royton Town were the visitors to Radcliffe Road for this one – and having their best season in 10 years and unbeaten since a 1 -2 defeat to Uppermill in November, we knew that we’d have to be at the very top of our game if we wanted to make it back-to-back wins. Things weren’t made any easier with the limited resources within the squad but with the coaches working hard to muster together 15 capable lads, we began to arrive and the mood was good…
With the pitch looking great, the lads were quickly out doing their warm-ups and there were plenty of changes to the personnel for this one. We were sticking to the 4-3-3 formation that served us well last weekend and it saw Ryan Garner come in for his first-team debut with a back-four in front of him consisting of Robbie Smith and Robbie Pollitt at full-backs and Ben partnering Hodgy in the middle. The midfield trio saw Smalley and Houghie joined by Tom Robinson – who is having a storming season for the reserves – and the front three was made up of Carl, Matty Leatham and Sean. There were options from the bench with Nathan. Ste Palin, Jonny Connor and Jude to choose from and as they sat listening to their final pep-talk, the message was clear. Compete for everything. Work hard and when we did have the ball, make sure we used it wisely. Try and get in behind them and then if we could defend well, we’d be in this. The players made their way out onto the field and as the gathering supporters of both sides greeted their heroes, the whistle went and we were underway…
The first 45 were a matter of the Royton side pushing and probing but the lads in blue defending well. We couldn’t seem to get the ball into good enough areas to threaten them as much as we would have liked. The only real chance we could muster saw a short corner played between Carl and Houghie and the latter managed to whip it in to see Carl there again to flick it on and there was Sean a yard from goal – but all he could do was plant his header over the bar when it looked easier to score. In our final third though, there was plenty of action – but with the defence standing strong and debutant Ryan playing well, the away side were struggling to find a way through. In truth that’s all that stood out in the first-half so when the whistle went for the break, everybody at The County Ground was hoping to see a lot more when the teams came back out…
Half-time: BOLTON COUNTY 0-0 ROYTON TOWN
As the lads gulped their drinks, the coaches set about their task – and that was to get their players to play football. We were rushing things a little and that meant there was no fluidity to our play – meaning that the attacking players couldn’t find their rhythm. We had to settle it down, start playing it in the right areas and then see what happens. Defensively we were doing well so we needed to keep our concentration and work-rate up and we’d be in with a chance here. No changes were made at this point and with their lungs re-filled, both teams were back out there ready to do it again…
Straight from the off though, we gave ourselves a mountain to climb as the visitors took the lead – and it was a silly goal to give away. They won a corner and as it came in, we couldn’t get it cleared – and a simple header from on the line saw the ball nestle in the back of our net and the score stand at 0-1. We had work to do now…
Stephen Palin came on in place of Sean on 55 minutes and shortly after, Matty Leatham pulled up with a muscle injury – so Jonny came on at right-back and the team had to reshuffle. Still we tried to get back in it though and on 62 minutes, we had a great chance to draw level. Again it was that man Carl involved, and he played a sublime cross-field pass into the path of Robbie Smith who had made a great run to get to the ball – but from 10 yards out, all he could do was slam his shot wide. We needed to take the chances when they came that’s for sure…
On went the game and the next goal was going to crucial – so when the away side got it, we knew that it was going to take a mammoth effort to get back into this now. Their left-back saw himself clean through on goal and as he went to chip Ryan from the edge of the box, all that he saw was the ball drift under the crossbar to be met by another unchallenged header from a yard out and as the travelling fans celebrated with glee, the score now stood at 0-2…
We looked beaten now and shortly after, they made it 0-3 when Jonny was caught on the ball in the right-back berth and their winger ran through for an unmarked tap-in from 10 yards out that gave Ryan no chance of stopping it. 0-3 and we needed to get back to working hard to save face now…
The game was done now and before it ended, they managed to grab a fourth when some good play down their flank saw the ball crafted into the middle and as their midfielder stepped onto it, he smashed his shot goal-bound – only to see it take a big deflection and screw inside the near post. 0-4 and that was the points well and truly going back to Oldham…
There wasn’t much more time for us to feel as bad as we did and when the referee decided he had seen enough and blew his whistle, it was another good win for the visitors and another humbling step-back for County. The players shook hands with respect and as both sides left the field of play, it was clear how much this meant to them…
Despite the score-line, there were plenty of positives as we sat for the de-brief – and the first thing was the 100% effort they gave. There were some inexperienced lads in the squad today and to do so well for a long period of time against a good, good side is nothing to be frowned upon. Robbie Smith, Jack and Ben were top-notch out there today and Tom Robinson did himself proud with his performance. What we need now is to get some of the lads back fit and to go to Rochdale Sacred Heart next Saturday determined to bring something home with us. That’s always the plan isn’t it?
Massive respeck’ to those of you that came down to cheer us on today and we hope to see you all over in Rochdale in seven days’ time doing the same. It’s always much appreciated…
Back to the drawing-board then we guess? We need to get out of the bottom-two that’s for sure…
#UpTheCounty!