It’s been a difficult campaign so far for the Development squad – but we always knew that plying our trade in Division 3 was going to be somewhat of a challenge. A challenge that this crop of young lads have been up for though – and having lost 0-2 at Elton Vale last weekend, we had a quick chance to put that right in the home fixture today. So as Ste and the lads started arriving at St Catherine’s Academy for this one, there seemed to be a confidence that had been missing for a bit so far this season…
Both sides observed the minute’s silence impeccably and football has a great way of bringing people together no matter what age, gender or cultural difference – and Remembrance Day always has that measure of sobriety to it. And on the sound of the referee’s whistle, the game was started and the crowd settled in for what proved to be a superb 90 minutes or so of football…
The County lads started well and as the game progressed, we were getting the ball down and moving it well – with some great movement up top, we were giving the visitors plenty to think about. And on 15 minutes, it was us that took the lead – with a great goal from our Jake. The ball was moved quickly down the left-hand channel and as it found it’s way to Jake, he dipped his shoulder and left his marker standing before picking his spot and rifling home from about 12 yards out. His team-mates rushed to celebrate with him and as we turned for the re-start, we had something to look after now. 1-0…
We kept pressing and on 23 minutes, we had a golden chance to double the lead when a good move into the box saw their defender take the legs from a County player and the man in black pointed directly to the penalty spot. Up stepped Jake but as he hit his shot, the Elton Vale keeper guessed right and got down low to save it. So unlucky – and would that come back to haunt us?
On went the game and with both teams looking dangerous when attacking, there was sure to be more goals in this. And on 40 minutes, there was – and thankfully it was County that got it! Some neat work through the middle saw the ball land at the feet of Will, he shimmied this way and that before picking out an inch-perfect pass that meant Jake didn’t need to change his run and with his right-foot, he smashed the ball past the helpless Elton keeper and into the back of their net! What a goal! And more importantly, we were now 2-0 to the good. This was great stuff…
Half-time: BOLTON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT 2-0 Elton Vale Reserves
Ste rallied his troops during the break and reminded them that nothing was won yet. Sure – that had been a superb half of football – but there was plenty of work still to do so we needed to concentrate, keep possession of the football and make sure we managed this game well. The lads listened intently, drank their drinks with gusto and were back out there ready to go again before we knew it…
The second half started with the visitors showing more attacking prowess and although our defence were coping well with the constant bombardment, they were coming close. A couple of shots flew high and wide but on 55 minutes, their pressure told and they clawed their way back into the game with a neat finish low into the bottom left of our net. 2-1 and now we needed to focus…
But the goal only galvanised the visitors and on 65 minutes, they equalised. Another neat move down their left saw them swing the ball over and although we managed to hold the line, their striker nipped in and slotted home from about 8 yards. 2-2 and the hard work we’d done in those first 45 minutes needed to be replicated now…
Ste urged his players to keep their chins up and we had shown enough at the start of this game that we could hurt them when we got the ball into good areas – so we had to relax and get back to doing that if we wanted to get something out of this game. But fitness and experience started to tell and the Elton lads were pinging the ball about and making us chase it. And on 78 minutes, the inevitable happened – and the visitors took the lead! A long ball over the top saw their striker race onto it and as he approached the box, he sent his shot just wide of Prince’s outstretched hand and into the back of the net. 2-3 and the away side knew that they’d got out of jail here…
To our credit we kept going in our search of at least a point and at times, we came close to getting it – but when the referee called time and blew his whistle for the last time, it was another case of ‘close but no cigar’ as the opponents were going home with the points. That’s no hardship on our boys though as they had given it their all out there – and if they keep playing like that, then it won’t be long before that elusive first victory comes our way…
The lads were praised by the coaches as they came in and they knew that these points had slipped out of our hands today – and things don’t get easier as the next two games see us welcome table-topping Hindsford next weekend followed by a trip to 4th placed Dukinfield the week after. But the lads will be up for both of them and we know that whatever the result, everybody at the Club will be proud of them…
There’s always next time lads…
#UpTheCounty!