Bolton Hockey Club’s women’s firsts got their first points on the board with a 0-0 draw against a well-drilled Didsbury Grey’s firsts.
For much of the game, it was attack versus defence with the Didsbury attacking machine constantly knocking and each time a Bolton defender answering resolutely.
Particular good displays came from Becky Varney and Emma Swinnerton, as well as goalkeeper Nyemh Johnson, whose tight defence kept a first clean sheet of the season.
It was not to be at the other end of the field. Some chances did come Bolton’s way, but they were few and far between.
They fought hard, putting in a strong performance and while Didsbury put a lot of pressure on Bolton with a physical display, all of Bolton’s players worked tirelessly for the team to get their first point of the season in the new league.
It was a double header for the women’s seconds this weekend with a draw and a victory.
First in the league, they were away to Moss Park Women’s seconds in what turned out to be a tight affair where Bolton took the lead through a Viv Lake goal.
Moss Park equalised and Bolton had a chance to win it late on but the penalty flick from Nina Jones was saved and the spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw.
The following day, they hosted Rochdale Women in the cup and it was a resounding 4-0 win for Bolton. Goals from Nicola Ashurst, Debbie Green, Angelie Chitre and Lake sealed victory and progress into the next round.
The women’s thirds won 2-1 at home against Moss Park thirds.
It was another good home outing for the side who remain undefeated at the Leverhulme Pavilion after goals from Katie Bent and Isobelle Baird led them to victory.
The men’s firsts saw their 100-per-cent record come to an end after a 1-1 home draw against Lymm men’s firsts.
After two strong results, they were looking to continue the winning run but it was not to be as scrappy play and missed chances were the story of the day.
A lone George Brennan goal was their only reward, cancelling out and early goal from Lymm to leaves the spoils shared.
The men’s seconds looked to make amends for dropped points the previous week at home as they travelled to Didsbury Northern sevenths and they did just that in a thumping 12-0 triumph.
Scorers on the day were Cameron Hall (two), Louis Morgan, Peter Cole (four), Nikhil Patel, Edward Lynch, Marcus Starr (two) and Matt Simpson.
Meanwhile, the men’s thirds kept up their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 home win against Timperley men’s sevenths.
Goals from Greg Dorsky and Richard Moore sealed the win.
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