Way grabs late winner

STEVE Way came up with the all-important last strike as Bolton lsts claimed victory over Macclesfield.

With injuries, departures, unavailability and shattered confidence restricting selection, Bolton went into the match with fresh faces, fresh attitude and a radical line up, which saw Mathieson and Tobutt pushed up to provide some muscle to the forward line.

Macclesfield played their normal game and started the brighter, taking advantage of Bolton's fluid formation. However, Matthew Short and John Woods formed an impressive double act in the heart of the defence, which held firm.

Neville in goal produced his best display for some time, called on as both improvised sweeper and athletic stopper. Whilst Macclesfield had the pressure, Neville kept them out, be it from open play or an unimpressive penalty corner routine.

Bolton were content to hit their opponents on the break, with Steve Way causing havoc down the left. Tobutt and Mathieson made good use of their scraps of possession, Tobutt being unlucky with a reverse stick effort and Mathieson drawing a good save from a penalty corner.

After half time the pattern remained the same, though the Macclesfield frustrations increased as their poor form in front of goal continued in the face of Neville. To compound matters, Tobutt then finished the best move of the game, seconds after making his presence felt with a tackle that had the crowd baying for a sending off.

Toby Jones pounced on a loose ball and danced through five defenders, before sliding the ball through to Andy Jones. From a tight angle, Jones then flicked the ball to the far post for Tobutt to sweep home with panache, the goal matched only by the epic celebration.

Macclesfield were in no doubt of the injustice and battled hard to get back, only for Steve Way to snatch a second in a goalmouth scramble.

Matters briefly threatened to boil over, as the Macclesfield right back delivered a Rock Bottom slam on Way, leaving him bleeding and in the lap of member of the crowd. Jasper now advances to Wrestlemania for a shot at the WWF Championship belt.

Macclesfield did get back into the game through legitimate means with only minutes left. Finally they managed to control a penalty corner and a switch of play allowed a flick into the corner.

But Bolton were not to be outdone. Straight from the restart, Mathieson and Chadwick kept play in the Macclesfield area, before a quick pass saw Tobutt win a penalty corner. A slick stop and pass resulted in Way's second, the final goal in a quality smash and grab victory.