Bolton IV 4 - Bowdon Killer Bees 0

After the previous weeks glorious result over the Fossils the Bees were given a tough fixture against a Bolton league side but nevertheless with a hangover free Ollius Marcos Maximus Roundus Coiferus Erectus at the helm the Bees approached the game with confidence. It did rather puzzle the assembled swarm that we were setting off for Bolton a mere 90 minutes before pushback. Surely it doesn't take that long to get there? The explanation soon became abuntly clear upon arrival 20 minutes later at the Harper Green ground...everyone had about an hour to stand around and admire Olly's and Jonny's soft top sports cars.

Unfortunately like all plans it started to come apart almost as soon as it was implemented. Cause - Olly realised that he didn't have any footwear! Everyone thought that the Winklepicker boots looked fine and would do the job. Olly thought different (boo hiss!) and shuffled off into Bolton to find something more appropriate...like Astro shoes! The Bees were suitably impressed that the new boots were in Bowdon colours but were disappointed to learn that they didn't have any gadgets!

All this pre match entertainment came to an abrupt halt at 4pm when the game started. From the off the Bees were on the back foot as Bolton quickly passed the ball around (the simple concept of pass and move should be noted by all and sundry). The pattern for the match was set with Bolton pressing forward in their droves with Bees looking to sting them on the break. Despite copious amounts of possession Bolton didn't create many clear cut chances - courtesy of the outstanding Bee back line of Messrs Braithewaite, Tennant and West. Any attacks that got through were thwarted by Richard 'Clean Sheet' Higham .

It is therefore with much regret that I have to report that the Bees conceded a goal midway through the first half.

We turned round at half time 1-0 down. The Bees were then treated to the usual half time ramblings - 'we can win this'. How often have these immortal words been said and the Bees end up losing??? Answer - too many flipping times!

Bolton came out for the second half with all guns blazing. Clearly they weren't happy about being only 1-0 up. The Bees comfortably soaked up the pressre and then started to move forward and for fifteen minutes played some really good hockey. The final quarter saw Bolton score three times. This had nothing to do with our overworked defence being knackered - more bad luck and the general confusion following the final round of substitutions... in the melee Jonny Grant was found loitering at Bottom Centre Half ! ! ! ! !

The final result - a 4-0 moral victory to the Bees was the least we deserved after a spirited hardworking display against a good side. Other than the defence who all played out of their skins, a special mention to Gary Campbell who had an excellent game in midfield.

The match report wouldn't be complete if I didn't give special mention to Ollius Marcos Maximus Roundus Coiferus Erectus's impression of a dying fly! (Yes it bloody well would you bastard - Ed) The champagne moment in question was pure Hollywood. One of the Bolton's sizeable defenders had a wander forward and in the process ran over our hallowed leader. Olly was hit with such force that he was knocked backwards so that his legs were left furiously flaying in the air. Most amusing... although Bolton had to stay behind for thirty minutes after the game to fill in the resultant crater!

Great game to play with some great individual performances.

Yokker