Bolton Hockey Club Ladies 1's vs. Northampton Lions

Ladies clinch

Vase victory

Northampton Lions 1

Bolton Hockey Club 3

BOLTON HC Ladies survived a late fightback to clinch a third round EHA Vase win at Northampton Lions.

An early break down the right side of midfield by Jenny Cocker led to Bolton's opening goal as she drew in the Lions defence and passed to Holly Dean who struck the ball from the top of the D to give the 'keeper no chance.

Another goal came when an excellent shot from Fiona Holdsworth was saved only for Cocker to jab the ball into the net after a goalmouth scramble.

A second half Lions goal put pressure on Bolton but a third goal from Holdsworth ended their comeback chances.

Bolton Men's third team drew 5-5 with Bowden in a result which ended their promotion dream.

They took a 4-1 lead through John Woods, Chris Lord and two from Adam Friend but collapsed before a late Woods equaliser.

It all started so well. Bolton took the lead

with the goal at his mercy.

The tide soon turned. Sloppy play in midfield gifted possession to Bowden

and they capitalised. After sustained pressure in the Bolton "D", the ball

fell invitingly to a Bowden forward and he made no mistake from close range

to pull a goal back. Bolton hung on to take the 3 - 1 lead into half-time.

Bolton started the second half with determination and some excellent skill

demonstrated by Friend fired in his second and Bolton's fourth. From that

point, Bolton hit the self destruct button and Bowden took control. In

fifteen suicidal minutes, Bolton's 4 - 1 lead was turned into a 5 - 4

deficit as wave after wave of Bowden attacks resulted in goals. With time

running out and Bolton hanging on for deaf life, Woods produced a bit of

magic to fire in an equaliser from close range. The drama didn't end there.

Lord fired a goal bound shot which rebounded of the woodwork into the path

of Tom Nelson, who converted what he thought was the winner, but was denied

by the umpires whistle who blew for an infringement.

In the end a thoroughly entertaining game for the spectators but disastrous

result for Bolton, who must now rely on the teams above to slip up if

they're to clinch that second promotion berth.

Regards

Javed Chowdry