That hard-earned point at Avro Reserves last week was testament to the lads for working so hard in that heat – but today was going to be no different as the temperatures were set to be the highest this year – and it was another tough game as we were hosting Govan & Uni of Manchester at The County Ground. Their 1-3 defeat at Hindsford was their first of the campaign so we knew they were going to come and pose us some problems. The question was – could we pose them more?

As the lads warmed up – which was only required for the muscles as it was sweltering out there already – the coaches were quick to remind them that keeping possession of that football was going to be key today. And when the starting 11 was announced, it saw us revert back to our favoured 4-3-3 that saw Charlie between the posts and a back-four in front of him that consisted of Robbie Smith and Liam Hulme back in at full-backs and Ben and Hodgy once again partnered in the middle. Smalley and Shorty were joined by Louis in the engine room and the front three tasked with firing any ammo that came their way were to be Dylan, Ax and Sam. The bench was strong today – with the likes of Chris Hough, Robbie Pollitt and a debut for Phil Robinson – to be called upon when needed and with the fluids being taken on in copious amount, we were good to go. The County fans gathered behind the fence were in good voice and when the whistle went to start the game, we all sat back soaking up the sun…

In truth it was a scrappy start – as both sides gave the ball away too easily – but it was clear to see from the outset that their game-plan was to look to free their pacy wingers down the flanks with long-balls. Liam and Robbie were dealing with them well in the opening exchanges so there were really no clear-cut chances during the first 30 minutes…

But the next 15 saw the visitors take over and on 31 minutes, they took the lead. That long-ball caught us out as we were napping for a split-second – but at this level, good sides will make you pay – and that’s exactly what Govan did. Their winger got to it quickly and as he sprayed it into the box, there was their striker to gobble it up and tap it in from close-range. 0-1 and we had it all to do now…

Rather than sit back, the visitors did exactly the same two minutes later and it ended with the same result – the ball nestling in the back of Charlie’s net. Another ball deep into our left-back territory saw their winger lay it back to the on-rushing midfielder and he drove into the box before slamming the ball home from about 10 yards out. 0-2 and this was going to take some doing now…

We huffed and puffed until the whistle but the away side seemed to soak up whatever we could muster and when the man in the middle decided he had seen enough, it was the County bosses that had the most work to do during the interval..

Half-time: BOLTON COUNTY 0-2 Govan & Uni of Manchester

Although they’d already been roasted by the sun out there, as they gathered together it was time for another one. That had arguably been our worst 45 minutes of the campaign so far – so the only pleasing thing here was that at 0-2, we were still very much in this game. If we could get the next goal, it would make it really interesting as the visitors would have to decide whether to sit back and hold what they’ve got – or come forward and leave spaces for us to get into. We just had to keep up the work-rate, keep possession better and make sure we got closer to our man before he could turn. All the while the coaches were talking, the fluids were once again being taken on board and when it was time to go again, we all knew what was needed here…

The grilling seemed to have had some effect but it was County who started the second-half much the brighter – and after some crunching challenges from both Dylan and Smalley, we started to show them that we were not going to simply lie down and take this. We began to dominate and Dylan managed to find some space – but he could only drive it straight at their keeper. At least we were showing our teeth a little now though…

We then saw a move that involved some fantastic flowing-football – and half the team – end up with Sam clean through on goal. With it at his mercy and the County fans about to celebrate, he could only fire his effort wide of the mark. We needed to put one of these away soon as all of the attacking stuff was coming from the team in blue – but it was that killer finish that was alluding us right now…

To remind us they were still a threat, the away side kept pouring forward when we allowed them and it took a great goal-line clearance from Robbie Smith to keep it at 0-2. If their finishing was better, they could have been out of sight if we’re honest – but we were still very much in this. Hodgy then received a yellow-card when a careless pass saw the Govan side clean through in a 3 v 1 situation – and all our Hodgy could do was stick a hefty boot into their No.9. Depends what side of the fence you sit – but it was good defending from our side of it…

A solid afternoon from our Louis came to an end as we brought Houghy into the fray – and the home fans showed their appreciation for his efforts out there – and we also brought Robbie Pollitt on in place of the injured Robbie Smith. On we went in search of a way back in but as the seconds ticked away, it looked more and more likely that this wasn’t going to be the afternoon we had hoped for…

With 10 minutes or so to go, on came Phil for his County debut – in place of Sam – and as we continued to press, the Govan side looked like they were dug in and not looking to get forward any more. But they could have been made to regret that because on 87 minutes, we clawed our way back into it – eventually. Some head tennis around the penalty culminated in Ax out-jumping their defenders and he duly nodded the ball past their keeper and into the back of the net. The usual scramble to get the ball back ensued – but it was now 1-2 and surely there was more than enough time to at least grab a point out of this?

It was all County now and as the game ticked into injury-time, we had them penned in their defensive third. And then it came – a chance for Phil to grab glory in his first appearance in a blue-shirt – when right at the death, he was played in and looked to have beaten their defender to the ball. He did – but his shot was tame and their keeper gratefully gathered it easily. What a chance to really make a name? But there was no time to dwell as there was still a point for us here…

There wasn’t though as not long after, the referee decided that 93 minutes was enough – and as he blew his whistle, it was the side from Fallowfield that were taking all three points home with them. Definitely a game of two halves though and there were plenty of positives to take from it despite a defeat. Atherton Town’s 1-0 win away at Springhead sees us drop into the bottom-three – but we’re back in Cup action during the week so we can forget about that for a bit now. Atherton Charity Cup 1/4 Final at home to First Division side Bolton Borough so make sure you get your football fix on Tuesday night by coming down to that one as well…

Massive respeck’ to the travelling contingent today and we hope you all had a safe trip home. You’ve a good side there but we think we more than matched you in that second period – so we look forward to seeing you again at yours later in the season. And a big shout-out to the County fans that never gave up on us and enjoyed your afternoon in the sun. See you over in Rochdale next week yeah?

Because it’s a trip to reigning champions Rochdale Sacred Heart to come next in the league so when we take to the field at Fox Park in seven days, we’ll be making sure the lads are more than ready to go again…

#UpTheCounty!