Bolton break Bowdon jinx

ANOTHER impressive performance from Bolton saw them dominate their opposition and overcome a three season jinx against Bowdon.

Starting off at pace, Bolton immediately took the game to the home team. Making light of a difficult surface, Woods, Way and Chadwick ripped holes in the defence almost at will, creating a number of chances, and it took a combination of last chance defending and inspired keeping to keep Aitken and Monte out.

Bowdon played neat passing in midfield, but mustered little threat in front of goal, floundering on the tough tackling of Scott Tobutt and Chris Williams in the heart of Bolton's defence.

It came as no surprise that Bolton took the lead, though the source and the manner was a shock to all. Back chat to the umpire turned a free hit into a penalty corner, from which Williams' weak strike somehow squirmed under the keeper.

Bolton had lost leads in each of the three previous seasons, but this was to be no repeat. Neville was a virtual spectator in the Bolton goal, as the blanket defence in front of him comfortably held firm. The second goal was a delight. Slick passing out from the back gave Monte the ball on the left. As Aitken's run drew defenders away, Monte drove across to the right edge of the area, before unleashing an unstoppable shot high past the keeper's left shoulder, who had no time to react if he even saw it.

Having thrown away similar leads in each of the last three seasons to these opponents, Bolton were unable to relax, but held on without undue alarms, even allowing Mathieson a cameo up front, whose scorching run down the left wing almost produced a third.Seconds back to winning ways

Bolton 2nd XI 2

Holmes Chapel 0

BOLTON ended a run of four games without a win with a hard fought 2-0 home win over Holmes Chapel and also ended personal hoodoos for both stand in skipper Javed Chowdry and Chris Dean.

Bolton started the better and nearly took the lead within the first few minutes. Bolton dominated the early proceedings, but could not capitalise on the abundance of possession. As usual, Bolton seemed to lose their way and allowed Holmes Chapel back into the game.

Bolton had to thank their defence on a number of occasions, when the few times that Holmes Chapel did venture into the Bolton D they found Anthony Davis, Tom Hopwood and Chowdry in their way. The opening goal came from a breakdown of a Holmes Chapel short corner. A swift counter attack led by Dave Tonge, whose pass found Adam Friend. After rounding the keeper, he slotted home from a crisp strike.

The second half started the same way, this time Chris Dean missing a great opportunity to increase the lead. Again Bolton allowed Holmes Chapel to regain possession. Chris Goldsbrough pulled off a brilliant reflex save to deny the opposition forward. There was nearly a moment of inspired captaincy, when Atkins came of the bench and nearly scored with his first touch, but he fluffed his shot with the goal beckoning.

As it looked like the points could easily be won or lost, a hopefully cross into the crowded opposition D was met by Adam Friend, whose skilful deflection eluded the Holmes Chapel goalkeeper to claim the points for Bolton. Even a Paul Ashurst yellow card in the closing minutes could not spoil Bolton's day.

Bolton 3rd XI 0 Bowdon 4

THE thirds went to Bowdon to play a team which has averaged 10 goals a game and came away with a credible if unjust result going down 4-0.

Bolton started the game brightly and played Bowdon at their own passing game, which allowed the game to stay level for 20 minutes with some good interchanging of passes from midfield to Richard Moore and Stuart Wallace who were unlucky not to score.

bowdon took the lead after Bolton were reduced to 10 men. With a full complement of players back on the pitch, Bolton once again took the game by the scruff of the neck and went close after Craig Lee sent Paul Chapman down the right who crossed to Moore, but once again was thwarted by an excellent save.

The first half ended with Bowdon 2-0 up, and Bolton never really got going and let two soft goals in. Excellent defending by Lee Williams and Dave Marchant and superb saves from Jonathon Howard kept the score at 4-0.

Bolton 5th 0 Neston Sth Wirral 4th 2

BOLTON fifths, still seeking their first league win, had to make changes to their defence, for two regular defenders were absent through injury and started the game with only 10 players.

The visitors, an experienced and efficient side, exploited Bolton's problems and scored two goals in the first 10 minutes.

The arrival of Sam Mills, after 15 minutes, to play as sweeper gave Vinod Patel the opportunity to play an active role in midfield and provide support to Bolton's hard-working forwards.

Bolton fourths lost 1-0 at home to Didsbury Northern. Bolton failed to take their chances before Didsbury took the lead with a disputed short corner strike.

Bolton HC Ladies 1st 5 Bowdon 2nd 0

BOLTON, having lost the last two league games, started well and won a series of short corners. However, it took 15 minutes for the pressure to tell when they took the lead through Fiona Holdsworth.

Bolton continued to make good chances but were unable to capitalise and the half finished with Bolton one up.

Amy Plimley made it 2-0. The experience of Claire MacLeod and Sue Buckley at the back shone through. Bolton were soon to make it 3-0 through captain Vicky Wilburton, with Plimley scoring two more to complete her hat-trick. A superb all round performance, to put the Bolton championship charge firmly back on track.

Bolton Beavers 6

Southport Beavers 3

BOLTON dominated from the start, Rob Davies and David Flanagan controlled midfield, Scott Evans showing good skills down the left.

Adam Wilmington opened the scoring with a hard drive. A brace from David Flanagan made it three to Bolton before Southport replied. William Heaney extended the lead with a neat reversed stick strike after the break.

Southport rallied with two goals which could have been more but for good goal keeping by Rob Allen and stout defence by Bryony Wilmington and Charlie Macloud and Andrew Golding added two goals to make up the scoring.