Men’s firsts get only draw on a weekend to forget for Bolton

But results were not kind to the sides with only the men’s firsts avoiding defeat.

They hosted Alderley Edge’s thirds at Leverhulme Pavilion in North West Men’s Three South and having struggled for goals since the turn of the year, and shipping too many, it was imperative they got back to winning ways against an Alderley team towards the bottom of the league.

It did not get off to the best start for the home side, who found themselves behind after just eight minutes. Alderley found space and time inside the Bolton D to make it 1-0.

Bolton never really got out of first gear, never threatened the Alderley goal at all, and it was the away side putting pressure on the hosts.

A penalty corner was converted on 20 minutes to make it 2-0, the Cheshire side not believing the lethargy of Bolton.

A half-time talk, a slice of lemon, just a breather, whatever it was, it galvanised Bolton, who came out much the better side.

They started to push on to Alderley, forcing them further and further back ans soon they got their rewards.

From a penalty corner, a nice routine was expertly finished by Damian Pearse and Bolton stayed on the front foot, hunting for the equaliser.

And it came once again from a penalty corner routine, two had been missed before captain Scott Mather converted a third chance.

Dreaming of the win, Bolton took their eye off the prize and were hit by a breakaway goal as the Alderley striker found himself with all the time in the world to pick his spot.

It was short-lived, though, as Bolton were in the ascendancy and Lee Ramagge scored with their third penalty corner goal as it ended 3-3.

The men’s seconds were away at Brooklands sixths in North West Men’s Six East looking for the points to aid a late charge up the table.

But some ill discipline cost them on the day.

Brooklands took an early lead, before captain Matt Simpson was green carded.

The hosts took advantage to make it 2-0 but Bolton pulled one back through Louis Morgan before half time.

Bolton found a way back in when captain Simpson redeemed himself with a fine finish, but Brooklands scored late.

Simpson went back to villain with another green card hurting the away side’s chance off a point as they went down 3-2.

The men’s thirds had a title decider in North West Men’s Seven East against Stockport Bramhall thirds but after just 10 minutes they were 3-0 down.

They fought back valiantly and by half time thought they were back level only for a cruel umpire’s whistle to rule out an equaliser.

Still the second half had hope, but they conceded first after the interval.

And despite pulling one more back, with the keeper off and time running out, Stockport scored again to win 5-3 and almost guarantee the title and promotion.

For Bolton, it’s now a waiting game to see if they will go up.

The women’s firsts had another tough day at the office in North West Women’s One away against a good Lymm side, losing 5-1.

The home side scored twice in the first 20 minutes to take early control of the match.

The away side did get back into the game and scored before half time, a fine finish from Lu Bull giving them hope of a surprise result.

But Lymm snuffed out all thoughts with a third after half time, adding two more goals in the last 10 minutes.

Sunday Morning saw Manchester Manto’s take on Bolton women’s seconds in North West Women’s Four East.

A fast opening is often critical and Manto’s got off to a perfect start, going 3-0 up within 20 minutes.

The seconds were shell-shocked and never got back into the match in what turned out to be a game to forget.

It was also bad news in North West Women’s Six East for the women’s thirds as they had a difficult afternoon at home to Oldham thirds.

After a solid start where they kept the away side locked out for 30 minutes, the deadlock was broken emphatically soon after.

And Oldham scored with regularity from that point on.

They racked up eight unanswered goals on a tough afternoon for the home side.