Lancashire Amateur League VERY few fixtures survived the weather but one that did was Bury GSOB's home Premier Division clash with Old Boltonians with the hosts eventually running out 3-0 victors.
"It was very close in the first half but when we scored I always felt we'd go on and get more," said Bury manager Howard Croft. "We played very well and it was good to see the lads bounce back after getting beaten heavily the previous week."
Andy Jackson broke the deadlock on 55 minutes when a corner was not fully cleared by the visitors defence and his shot was deflected to wrong-foot Andy Lees in the Bolt's goal.
Man of the match Ian Riggs got the second on 66 minutes when he held off two defenders and struck a beauty of an angled drive. Scorer turned provider on 88 minutes with Paul Beesley the beneficiary finishing well from ten yards.
"They were just far too strong for us," admitted Bolts' manager Peter Cooper. "They murdered us from start to finish. We just haven't got a ball-winner in our side and that was where we failed to compete."
Debut man, striker Richard McLellan, won Cooper's vote as his star performer.
The clash of the top two in Division One finished all square at 1-1 as Radcliffe Amateurs' captain Rick Stevens hit a stunning 30 yarder on 80 minutes to cancel out Walshaw Sports' opener early in the second half.
The draw maintained Amateurs unbeaten record which had looked in peril with regular keeper Simon Pollard out, John Tuke twisting his ankle in the warm-up and being unable to play and striker Gary Andrews picking up a stomach injury after just ten minutes. Radcliffe defender Scott Hannah was named as man of the match.
For title chasing Walshaw manager Malc Quilty's star performer vote went to young midfielder Marcus Dydyna.
The goal on the hour mark was particularly pleasing for the Sports team boss as training ground practice paid off with Richard Birtwistle chipping into the far corner following a well worked free kick.
Bury GSOB 3rds drew 3-3 with Chaddertonians while the 4ths celebrated a 6-3 win over Mostonians. Old Bolts Reserves beat Rivington 1-0 and the B team drew 3-3 at home to Broughton Amateurs.
Radcliffe Amateurs 3rds lost 6-4 at Lymm, goals coming from Mark Crowther with two, Andy Baron and John Tennant with one and Chris Bluer voted man of the match.
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