The pressures of gaining points and climbing up that league table were forgotten for a while tonight – as it was time for the famous Bolton Hospital Cup to start for 2023 – and it was Pennington FC that we were welcoming to Radcliffe Road for our 1st round tie this evening. The coaching staff decided that it was going to be a great opportunity to blood some of our prospects from the Development squad into the 1st team to see how they fared and although the early evening sunshine was greatly received, there was still a nip in the air as the lads warmed up…

This famous Cup really is one to play for and as the lads were stretched and ready for action, the starting 11 was announced – and it saw a whole host of changes from the side that began the victory in the Gilcryst Cup over Manchester Gregs at the weekend. We were sticking with the 4-3-3 shape that saw Ryan between the posts and a back four that was made up of young Harrison Crook at right-back with Liam Hulme over on the left. Ben was joined by another Development player in Lewis and the midfield saw a returning-start for Houghie – slotting in with Smalley and Shiorty. Up front was where most changes were however as young Sam started in the central berth with Kieran and Robbie Pollitt flanking him either side. There were five choices from the bench as well – with Robbie Smith, Charlie, Asumani joined by Reiss and another youngster in Louis and as the lads taped up their socks, the message was simple. Play our stuff. Win your battles and when the chances came, try to put them away. A big crowd had gathered and with various stories about the exploits most of them got up to at Wembley at the weekend flying around, there was a great atmosphere building. The referee and his assistants were ready. The players were ready. And the supporters were expectant. The whistle went – and then the referee asked for one of the keepers to change their green top as there maybe a ‘clash’. As though they were going to be in the same area at the same time. The Pennington keeper quickly adorned a fresh yellow jersey and as the whistle went, the game got underway…

The first real action of note saw our Kieran charge in to try and get to the ball before their No.1 and as they clashed, the away bench were quickly on their toes. The referee decided that nothing was untoward and as he signalled for a goal-kick, they were just as quick to get back off their high-horse…

With their bright orange shirts glistening in the evening sun, they were the quickest to settle and their No.7 was buzzing around the midfield wanting the ball every time. He took a knock that he tried to run off but on came their physio and there was some lengthy treatment before he left the field struggling – and briefly they were done to 10 men. It seemed that their game-plan was to lump it long and see what they could connect with – but young Lewis was winning some really good headers in there to thwart them coming forward. But they saw the first real chance of the game when their No.7 – back on the pitch – was put clean through with another punt forward. With everybody expecting the net to bulge, he could only smash his shot against the base of our post and as bodies charged in to try and convert it or clear it, there was a foul on a blue shirt and as the free-kick was awarded our way, the chance had gone…

But with 17 minutes gone, it was the visitors that opened the scoring and in truth, it was a soft goal to concede. Liam had charged forward in an attempt to give us numbers on the left – but he was out of position when they fed the ball forward and as it came into the feet of their No.9, he side-stepped the challenge before slamming his shot inside the far post giving Ryan no chance of stopping it. A good finish but somewhat against the run of play, the Pennington lads were in front. 0-1 and there was work to do now…

Things got worse two minutes later though – when the away side doubled their lead with another soft goal. They played yet another long-ball forward and this time it sprung our offside trap to see their No.7 clear through again. He showed no signs of the knock he took earlier as he played an inch-perfect pass into the run of their No.9 and he made no mistake in rifling it past Ryan from about 16 yards out. 0-2 and we needed to wake up. Quickly…

Despite Lewis winning plenty of headers, they were still pumping it forward and that was when they looked their most dangerous. They should have made it 0-3 when they had a goal disallowed – a good shot was going in but their man in an offside position wanted to be greedy and as he got his foot to it, the assistant’s flag was raised to the air and it didn’t count. Was that the break we needed? Unfortunately not…

Because another long ball into their midfield saw their No.3 play a superb first-time vollyed pass through the only gap in our defence and there was that dangerous No.9 again to smash his shot home from the edge of the box, once again giving Ryan no chance of getting near it. His hat-trick. Within the first half-hour. And as the score stood at 0-3, was that game over already?

There was a big shout for a penalty from the travelling fans on 37 minutes – and if we’re honest, the only people in the ground that didn’t see it were luckily the match officials. They played the ball quickly out to their right and as the cross came in, it looked to have slammed against Liam’s hand. The man that counted didn’t see it though and as he pointed for a corner, the away side were livid. Probably as clear a penalty as you’ll see – and we were lucky with that one…

That No.9 was bossing the game every time the ball came forward and he was still giving our defenders plenty to think about – but Harrison and Co. were giving it their all and doing whatever they could to deny them space and opportunities. We just didn’t seem to have any potency when we tried to go forward ourselves and although Smalley was doing his stuff, we just seemed a little stifled when attacking. As the watch ticked past the 40 minute mark, it was only then that the crowd realised we were only playing that much each half and with a sharp blow of his whistle, the referee called proceedings to a break – the County lads trugding in with glum faces….

Half-time: BOLTON COUNTY FC 0-3 Pennington FC

The players gathered on the touchline rather than going in – and Dave, Dave and Damo had plenty to say. We were second-best in every area and this was about pride now. We needed to raise it a lot and start playing our football and who knows – score the next goal and it could be a completely different game. Drinks were drunk and changes were made – with Liam and Houghie coming off to be replaced by Reiss and Asumani – and as they trotted back out there, they knew the task at hand…

Things started more brightly for the lads in blue and our first chance after the break saw the ball land at Ben’s feet – but his shot went that high over the bar that it gathered snow and is still to re-appear! His smile said it all. Back came Pennington though and on 48 minutes, only a great save from Ryan stopped their No.8 scoring their fourth. A great start to the second half though…

But the next goal went the way of the visitors – again – when their No.14 was allowed to run through all of the County legs and as he approached the box, still he had the ball. He fired it across the six-yard line and all Ben could do was divert it past Ryan and into the back of his own net. 0-4 and surely that was tie done now…

A big switch-around came then – when Robbie Smith came on in place of Sam, Charlie for Robbie Pollitt and Harrison came off so Louis could get a slice of the action – and with 12 minutes remaining, it was a case of damage-limitation now but in the hope of still getting a sniff of goal. And we did – with young Louis getting on the scoresheet in his debut for the 1st team. Their No.11 put in a bad tackle – that shown him have the yellow card waved in his face – and as the free-kick was swung in, there was Louis to slam his shot goal-bound – only to see it cannon off their No.1 and back into play. Somehow we kept it live and as it came back in, their was our Louis to slot home the rebound past their stranded keeper and as he wheeled away in glee, was that the catalyst for the comeback of all comebacks. 1-4…

We were attacking as much as we could now and some great work by Asumani saw him slide the ball out Charlie on the right-hand side of their penalty area. He smashed his shot in and with the County fans seeing the net ripple, they were celebrating – only to then quickly realise it was the side-netting and the ball had gone out for a goal-kick. We live in hope don’t we?

The game was put to bed shortly after though – when they attacked down their left and as their winger cut inside, Ben was adjudged to have taken his legs from him – and the referee seemed to have no hesitation in pointing directly at the spot. Up stepped their No.15 and as he strode towards the ball, he hit it well and planted the ball to Ryan’s left and into the back of our net. 1-5 and that was definitely that now…

Things got a little bit naughty then – with some rash tackles and plenty of niggle – but thankfully the man in middle could sense it as well and when he blew for full-time, it was probably the right time. The handshakes were done with respect though and as the players went to take down the goal-posts, it was the Pennington side that were progressing onto the next round. We were more bothered about the league anyway…

And that starts with another home game – this time hosting Moorside Rangers at the County Ground – so the coaches will be hoping for a better outcome from that one. Credit to the lads tonight though – especially those making their bows in adult 1st-team football – and they can definitely leave tonight knowing that they gave a good showing of themselves. But we know ourselves that some of our stuff out there tonight wasn’t good enough and we’ll need to make sure that it’s a lot better in less than 48 hours’ time…

Thanks to those of you that came out in your numbers tonight – including the large contingent that Pennington brought with them – as every penny raised tonight goes to the great charity that the Bolton Hospital Cup supports. We wish tonight’s winners all the best in the next round and their players, coaches and supporters a safe trip home.

Onto the next one then yeah? Let’s forget about this one – quickly…

#UpTheCounty!