My first game back in the early seventies the arrival on to the terraces at the old home of Bolton as always stuck with me, why, a floodlit pitch. There is something about that light on a well manicured surface. It encourages the atmosphere, everybody as kids wanted to play under lights, didnt they?Who will win under these lights tonight. Clitheroe the visitors come to the game in third and on a winning run having scored over a dozen in the first five games. Boro need to break the home duck. Sadly the only Sheikhs that will be seen at Stainton Park will be those of the two captains hands before the kick off, so no new faces in this week, but some leaving meant a good shake up on the team sheet. Notably Greg Traynor swapping shirts with the Ashton bound Connell for his debut.
Rutter sees the first of the action from his right back position after Unsworths free kick finds Griff Jones to flick back to the advancing full back who's first strike is blocked but the second struck well goes wide 2 minutes in and a bright start. Again Griff Jones is heading goal bound from Mark Jones ball and looks to have the better of the centre half but sees his chance end at the touchline. Clitheroe spurned on by good vocal support win the first corner, the corner comes to nothing but the two teams early ambitions are clear, they both want a win. 3 corners in the space of 6 minutes for the Shawbridge lodgers held little danger for the boro but good approach play involving Hankin through the middle and good running off the ball by Johnson & Morley indicated the reason for reaching 3rd in the league.Some early pressure for Boro to defend , Sarginson checks to see if Priestley on his return is alert as he fires one into his midrif. Big Phil was previously as he defended a corner and released the pacy Rutter for his speculative long distance effort on goal , that never threatened the net. The game is at a great pace with both sides looking to attack when ever they can , the referee is letting the game go . The wall of blue does its job as Chappell gives opportunity at the edge of the box for a silly foul. The first 20 minutes have flown and ends with sharp work from Mark Jones and Rutter , Howson joins the Party that is spoilt by the cool defending of the steady looking Scott Redhead. Clitheroe start to find passes behind Boro with Hankin and Lomax asking more of the Radcliffe backs. The game as hardly taken breath when the referee delivers his Churchill speach to two forwards in orange and black who pulled out handbags over a decision made. Shots not finding the target end in more corners for Clitheroe who cannot capitalise.
Bang on the half hour Mark Jones shows real grit and wins well off the impressive Smith, he introduces Traynor ,he finds Griff Jones who can only fire weakly at Mann. End to end football sees the involved Hankin fire hard, high and enough to adjust the aerial on the house at the end of the ground.
Both sides are on equal terms with no real menace heading towards the break, but as the groundsmen is reaching for his fork the deadlock is threatened by a Clitheroe break ending with an effort just over the bar . Griff Jones and Rutter combine on the flank from the corner of Hill , Howson cant threaten but wins the kick sent harmlessly long by Hill. Clitheroe work thier best corner that sees Smith and Flannery share the headers before Flannery heads narrowly over. On 46 mins Howson as the best chance yet as he meets a great in swinging ball from Mark Jones who was fed by the advancing Kelly. Howson heads wide with the goal an easier choice. Half time 0-0. Lots of huff and puff but no team as blown the defenders houses down.
The second half gets under way without changes , first blood to the blues as Howson is found in the box but his looped shot from behind him goes over and wide. Boro stay in the last third with Griff Jones back heeling the ball into the path of Hill who can only find the keepers arms. Dawson sends a ball from his own half across field to the forward thinking Rutter who controls well with head and feet he sends in a shot that deflects, corner. Result of the corner sees a free kick sent up field by the keeper lands with McManus who brings Fisher into the game , Dawson sweeps well and clears the danger. Corners are won by both sides but none converted as the hour approaches with the woodwork saving Boro twice in as many minutes with Priestley well beaten the signs are there. The blue bench respond by replacing the unimpressive debutant with Oates in midfield. No sooner is Oates on when Clitheroe beat the woodwork and the keeper when a fantastic strike across the face of goal smashes the net, 1-0 to the visitors and Carl Lomax adds to his tally.
Boro need a response and the captain leads the way by meeting Rutters in swinging corner full on , keeper nowhere as the ball thumps the post and out.With 20 minutes to save the game Boro have opted for the long ball as the game is becoming more frantic. Chappell leaves the field and is replaced by Brookes. Rutter is trying to get down the flank he as patrolled but often runs out of room, on this occasion he tackles the assistant as the crowd cheer .
Sarginson is given a rest and replaced by Osbourne for Clitheroe. Nail biting time as we enter the last ten, Boro still with the long ball cant get it passed the two giant centre halves. When the ball is controlled brilliantly by Griff Jones he uses the floor to find Brookes whose shot wins a corner. The corner is cleared but the threat of the visitors is still alive.Steve Hill leaves the game for Manning. Unsworth is beaten hands down by Lomax who finds his strike partner very lonely in front of goal but he cant make it two. Hook letting off springs to mind. As the game opens to enable Boro to push , we look vunerable. With Unsworth gifting the ball at the edge of his box to
Hankin he gives to Lomax who must hit is brace ,but no, the roof of the stand feels the force. Radcliffe frantically try to force a draw and on 90 nearly get it, Manning sweeps his free kick into Howson who well placed beats the keeper for speed but not direction.
4 mins of added time is not enough as Rutter shoots desperately wide from a central free kick. Clitheroe should have put it to bed as the influential Hankin gives the substitute Osbourne time to read the programme before finishing, luckily he didn't want to double the lead.
As Clitheroe celebrated a good win my walk to the exit was long as i felt we played well against a team in real form but as a team we didn't gel, understandable with players drafted in, but the players new to the sheet largely didnt look strong enough for the fight. No real service to Howson who i saw for the first time heavily beaten in the air. Jonah worked tirelessly but couldn't find the pass. The game however was played at tempo with two teams wanting to play Football. No silly games and disrespect was seen throughout, a credit to the league.
The lights will be switched off and i await the next game whatever that will bring. Lets hope its a win.
Rutter sees the first of the action from his right back position after Unsworths free kick finds Griff Jones to flick back to the advancing full back who's first strike is blocked but the second struck well goes wide 2 minutes in and a bright start. Again Griff Jones is heading goal bound from Mark Jones ball and looks to have the better of the centre half but sees his chance end at the touchline. Clitheroe spurned on by good vocal support win the first corner, the corner comes to nothing but the two teams early ambitions are clear, they both want a win. 3 corners in the space of 6 minutes for the Shawbridge lodgers held little danger for the boro but good approach play involving Hankin through the middle and good running off the ball by Johnson & Morley indicated the reason for reaching 3rd in the league.Some early pressure for Boro to defend , Sarginson checks to see if Priestley on his return is alert as he fires one into his midrif. Big Phil was previously as he defended a corner and released the pacy Rutter for his speculative long distance effort on goal , that never threatened the net. The game is at a great pace with both sides looking to attack when ever they can , the referee is letting the game go . The wall of blue does its job as Chappell gives opportunity at the edge of the box for a silly foul. The first 20 minutes have flown and ends with sharp work from Mark Jones and Rutter , Howson joins the Party that is spoilt by the cool defending of the steady looking Scott Redhead. Clitheroe start to find passes behind Boro with Hankin and Lomax asking more of the Radcliffe backs. The game as hardly taken breath when the referee delivers his Churchill speach to two forwards in orange and black who pulled out handbags over a decision made. Shots not finding the target end in more corners for Clitheroe who cannot capitalise.
Bang on the half hour Mark Jones shows real grit and wins well off the impressive Smith, he introduces Traynor ,he finds Griff Jones who can only fire weakly at Mann. End to end football sees the involved Hankin fire hard, high and enough to adjust the aerial on the house at the end of the ground.
Both sides are on equal terms with no real menace heading towards the break, but as the groundsmen is reaching for his fork the deadlock is threatened by a Clitheroe break ending with an effort just over the bar . Griff Jones and Rutter combine on the flank from the corner of Hill , Howson cant threaten but wins the kick sent harmlessly long by Hill. Clitheroe work thier best corner that sees Smith and Flannery share the headers before Flannery heads narrowly over. On 46 mins Howson as the best chance yet as he meets a great in swinging ball from Mark Jones who was fed by the advancing Kelly. Howson heads wide with the goal an easier choice. Half time 0-0. Lots of huff and puff but no team as blown the defenders houses down.
The second half gets under way without changes , first blood to the blues as Howson is found in the box but his looped shot from behind him goes over and wide. Boro stay in the last third with Griff Jones back heeling the ball into the path of Hill who can only find the keepers arms. Dawson sends a ball from his own half across field to the forward thinking Rutter who controls well with head and feet he sends in a shot that deflects, corner. Result of the corner sees a free kick sent up field by the keeper lands with McManus who brings Fisher into the game , Dawson sweeps well and clears the danger. Corners are won by both sides but none converted as the hour approaches with the woodwork saving Boro twice in as many minutes with Priestley well beaten the signs are there. The blue bench respond by replacing the unimpressive debutant with Oates in midfield. No sooner is Oates on when Clitheroe beat the woodwork and the keeper when a fantastic strike across the face of goal smashes the net, 1-0 to the visitors and Carl Lomax adds to his tally.
Boro need a response and the captain leads the way by meeting Rutters in swinging corner full on , keeper nowhere as the ball thumps the post and out.With 20 minutes to save the game Boro have opted for the long ball as the game is becoming more frantic. Chappell leaves the field and is replaced by Brookes. Rutter is trying to get down the flank he as patrolled but often runs out of room, on this occasion he tackles the assistant as the crowd cheer .
Sarginson is given a rest and replaced by Osbourne for Clitheroe. Nail biting time as we enter the last ten, Boro still with the long ball cant get it passed the two giant centre halves. When the ball is controlled brilliantly by Griff Jones he uses the floor to find Brookes whose shot wins a corner. The corner is cleared but the threat of the visitors is still alive.Steve Hill leaves the game for Manning. Unsworth is beaten hands down by Lomax who finds his strike partner very lonely in front of goal but he cant make it two. Hook letting off springs to mind. As the game opens to enable Boro to push , we look vunerable. With Unsworth gifting the ball at the edge of his box to
Hankin he gives to Lomax who must hit is brace ,but no, the roof of the stand feels the force. Radcliffe frantically try to force a draw and on 90 nearly get it, Manning sweeps his free kick into Howson who well placed beats the keeper for speed but not direction.
4 mins of added time is not enough as Rutter shoots desperately wide from a central free kick. Clitheroe should have put it to bed as the influential Hankin gives the substitute Osbourne time to read the programme before finishing, luckily he didn't want to double the lead.
As Clitheroe celebrated a good win my walk to the exit was long as i felt we played well against a team in real form but as a team we didn't gel, understandable with players drafted in, but the players new to the sheet largely didnt look strong enough for the fight. No real service to Howson who i saw for the first time heavily beaten in the air. Jonah worked tirelessly but couldn't find the pass. The game however was played at tempo with two teams wanting to play Football. No silly games and disrespect was seen throughout, a credit to the league.
The lights will be switched off and i await the next game whatever that will bring. Lets hope its a win.
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