As we awoke this morning, we all knew that today wasn’t about points and league positions. It wasn’t even about goal difference or relegation battles. Because today saw us go into Gilcryst Cup action and as we were welcoming Manchester Gregs to Bolton, this one was about who could win on the day. The weather had once again shown us it’s teeth throughout the week so when the decision was made to switch this to the astro at Ladybridge High School, it was probably the best decision that was made all week. There was a Cup tie to look forward to but having suffered a 2-4 reversal at theirs in early December, we knew we’d have to be on top of our game if we wanted to progress. That 4-0 drubbing of Old Alts last weekend had risen the spirits though – there’s no doubt about that – and the buzz around training in midweek meant that as we arrived today, there was an optimistic mood floating around the air. And rightly so…

The lads were out warming up in no time and when the starting 11 was announced, it saw two changes from that team that started seven days ago – with Charlie back between the sticks for one. The back-four seems to have some familiarity at the moment – with Liam and Robbie Smith flanking either side of Hodgy and Ben – and going with the usual 4-3-3 shape, the midfield trio was made up of Shorty, Smalley and Carl. That meant today’s front three consisted of Robbie P, Matty Leatham and new-signing Reiss and with Ax, Asumani and the returning Houghie on the bench, we had choices if we needed them. The coaches reminded their troops that today was about winning – so we needed to press them high up the pitch and put them on the back-foot as often as we could – and as the lads came out for the start, they looked like they meant business…

But the first chance of real note came for the visitors as some early confusion in our defence saw their striker nip in and as he shot at goal, it took a fine save from our Charlie to keep the scores level. A warning that if we allowed them to, they could cause us trouble – so we needed to concentrate from now on. But the pendulum swung quickly and from that moment forward, it was all County. With 8 minutes on the clock. Robbie Smith picked out a great ball straight into the run of Matty and he managed to get there before their keeper to slot the ball home calmly from a tight angle. A great finish and a really good start for the team in blue. 1-0…

Another good move saw Carl find space out on the left and as he played the cross in, it was pin-point – only to see Robbie Pollitt get there a fraction too late and the chance was gone. The visitors were being kept to long-ball tactics as we closed them down quickly and whenever they did knock it deep, our defence was coping well with whatever they had. Mirroring last weekend, Hodgy was winning every header in there and ably supported by Ben, it looked like they would have to come up with something special to past those two today. And we looked dangerous down the other end as well – with Matt trying to put a ball into the box but it was deflected straight into the path of debutant Reiss 10 yards from goal – but he could only fire it over the bar as the away defenders rushed out to close him down. Shorty then had a great strike from the edge of the box that flew inches over the bar and when the man in the middle decided he had seen enough and blew for the break, it was County coming in with a deserved-lead and the home supporters that were the happier…

Half-time: BOLTON COUNTY 1-0 Manchester Gregorians

Team-talks like this are sometimes harder than when we’re behind – because although the lads had done well out there so far, they needed to be reminded that nothing was won yet. A goal for the opposition here could really swing this game – so we needed to go out there as though it was still 0-0 and play our hearts out for the win. Keep doing what we’d been doing and when the ball popped up anywhere near, let’s test this keeper a bit more. The drinks were drunk and before we knew it, both teams were out there and ready to battle again…

The second-half saw a dominant Bolton County side do all the pressing – after a lull in the action that saw us work hard to regain the upper-hand – and we were soon peppering their goal as we looked to increase our lead. Shorty was looking desperate to score today and if it wasn’t their keeper’s hands he was stinging, it was the fencing high behind his goal that was taking a battering. And then came the move of the game. Smalley took control of the ball just inside the Gregs half and looking up, he split their defence in two to find Robbie Pollitt’s run on the right. A first-time ball into the box then saw the on-rushing Carl meet it to coolly smash his shot into the roof of their net from about 8 yards out. He knew it was in before it even crossed the line and as his team-mates rushed to congratulate him, Smalley stood there knowing how good a pass that was. 2-0 and we were in control now…

We were finding a lot of space behind their back four – who were tiring now from the constant bombardment our attackers were giving them – and Matty was causing them headaches every time we could set him on his way. He must have ran through at least four times in a 1-on-1 situation but just couldn’t stick it in the back of their net. Asumani had come on and he too was put clean through and as he pulled his foot back to shoot, we thought we’d see the net bulge – only to see him hit it straight at the keeper and the chance was gone. It was all County though and we were liking that…

And that was that really. There was plenty of huffing and puffing but the result was beyond doubt and when the referee blew to signal the end of the game, it was County that were triumphant and making their way into the next passage of the Gilcryst Cup. The handshakes were done with passion and as the teams left the pitch, the balance of play reflected in the result…

Another dominant performance and a clean sheet. What else could we ask for eh? That’s back to back wins and the lads playing with a freedom that seems to have been missing for patches of this season. Let’s hope they can continue that as we welcome our old rivals Pennington FC to Radcliffe Road on Thursday night for the Bolton Hospital Cup tie and if we can win that as well, it would have been a good few weeks for the lads in blue. Hodgy was quite rightly awarded the Man of the Match for his colossus effort in the heart of our back four and as the players got changed and made their way to Tonge Cricket Club, once again the mood was good. This is more like it…

Thanks to those of you that came down to cheer us on today and we hope to see you again on Thursday night…

#UpTheCounty!