Last weekend’s home defeat to Chadderton Reserves was hard to take – especially considering the amount of possession and opportunities in those last 15 minutes – but there were good signs that if we could carry that into today, we could see another three points in the bank. Heyside were the visitors to Radcliffe Road for this one and today’s opponents had been on a recent resurgence – unbeaten in 2023 with three wins on the bounce and no goals conceded – with last weekend’s 4-0 win over Rochdale Sacred Heart causing waves throughout the division. This was going to be another tough one that was for sure…
The pitch looked good and as the lads set things up, a tidy little crowd was starting to converge on the County Ground. There were some familiar faces back in the squad today and when the starting 11 was announced, it was that 4-3-3 shape we were sticking with. Charlie was back between the sticks and the back four was made up of Liam Hulme at left-back, Hodgy and Ben T in the heart of it and a full debut for young Jake Green at right-back. He impressed when he came on last Saturday so it was great to see him being given the nod for this one. Smalley was back to join Shorty and Chris in the engine room and Robbie Pollitt moved further up from last weekend to join Ax and Carl in attack. Robbie Smith and Sean were the choices if we needed to change things around as Matty Leatham had pulled up during the warm-up and as the lads made their final preparations, the coaches message was clear – play our football, relax and ensure we worked hard. The quality is there – we just need to transfer it onto the pitch now. We made our way out onto the field of play and with a warm round of applause from both sets of fans, the game was quickly underway…
Straight from the off it was County who looked the more determined and definitely the more dangerous. We were quickly in control of how the game was to be played and chances were coming with regularity – we just couldn’t convert them all. That said, when we did open the scoring, it was a fine goal that broke the deadlock – and it was rifled home by our Carl. He received the ball just outside their box and as the gap appeared, he curled a superb right-footed shot past the outstretched hand of their keeper and into the top far-corner! A peach! And as he wheeled away with his team-mates chasing after him, the smile on his face said it all. 1-0 to County and we had a platform to build from now…
All over the park we were doing our jobs and whenever the away side did manage to get the ball into our defensive third, Hodgy and Ben were marshalling them well and both full-backs were putting in a shift to support them. The midfield trio were well on top of their battle and that left the front three to do their stuff. So it was no surprise when we doubled the lead through that man Ax. The ball was fed into his feet and as he turned on a sixpence, he left their defender dizzy before smashing his shot low and hard into the bottom corner of their net giving their No.1 no chance of stopping it. 2-0 and we were playing with a freedom not seen for weeks now…
As the game ticked towards the break, we saw more chances come and go and some of our football was sublime – but we couldn’t force it home again and when the whistle went, it was the team in blue coming in the happier. That had been a solid first 45 and the home fans showed their appreciation as the lads came in…
Half-time: BOLTON COUNTY 2-0 Heyside
The lads gulped their drinks with vigour as they sat down in the changing-room and it was great to see the smiles on their faces as we hadn’t seen them for a while. The coaches were quick to bring them down though – because there was still a huge job to be done here if we wanted all three points. Heyside were going to come out of the blocks quick and if they got the next goal., this could be a completely different game. They had shown only seven days ago that they could turn over big teams so we needed to keep focused, keep concentrated and make sure that we put away any chances thay may come our way. The lads pepped each other up and as they made their way back out there, they knew wehat they had to do…
Within five minutes of the restart young Jake had to come off – but he had played superbly for his first start and his team-mates rightly praised him as he made way for Robbie Smith – but it didn’t stunt our rhythm and as the game wore on, we were the ones still looking more likely. We were battling in all areas of the park and dominating the ball – which isn’t something we’ve done too often this campaign. Credit were it’s due though – the lads were playing really well out there – and it had to be us that scored the next goal…
It was. Some great work out on the left by Ax saw his ball his pass into the feet of Carl – who instinctively dummied it and fooled their defender – and as the ball rolled beautifully for Houghie, he did what he does best by keeping his cool and driving it into the back of their net from about 10 yards out. A fine team-goal and as the lads jumped all over him, Chris knew that with that the points were staying in Bolton. 3-0…
County continued to create chances and at times, we were back to being the unplayable team we saw a lot of last season. The football was purring, the movement was first-class and each and every player was really enjoying it. Ax saw a good chance fly inches over the bar from about 20 yards out and Robbie Pollitt was constantly giving their full-back something to think about. In truth, the defence had played that well that Charlie didn’t really have much to do all afternoon and as the seconds ticked away, it was a case of wondering if we’d get another one rather than the visitors clawing their way back…
But that was that. The referee decided that there were only a matter of seconds to be used as injury-time and when he blew his whistle for the final time today, the look of relief on both Daves’ and Damo’s faces said it all. That was most definitely more like the County of old and it was great to see the way we played our football. Three points that were much-required – and much deserved…
The coaches rightly praised their troops as they got themselves all spruced up for their drinks at Tonge Cricket Club and the banter and laughter was great to hear. Any football club buzzes off a good win – and this was a really good win today. County TV managed to catch up with Damo as he made his way out and he was clearly overjoyed. ‘That was a fantastic all-round performance out there believe me. All of them deserve the credit – but I need to say that for me, Hodgy and Carl were stand-outs. Jake had a tremendous full debut and Ax and Shorty brought their experience to the fore to rein things in when needed. Each and every one of them battled for each other out there and it was a fully deserved three points won. Now we just need to make sure we follow that up as we have 5th-placed Royton Town visiting next week – so we will work on a few ideas in training during the week and be determined to come out and do just as well then. Thanks to all the County fans that came to cheer us on today and we hope to see you all again in seven days time’
And that was that. The goals were put away, Stew and Jess busied themselves in ensuring things were made right in the Clubhouse and as the dust settled, the important thing were those three points in the bank. That’s what we started the day requiring…
UpTheCounty!