IT is boiling up to a superb finish at the top of the league, as Bolton 1st XI close in on the leaders Oxton and third placed Bowdon continue to snap at the heels of both teams writes Guy Mathieson

Benefiting from a Bowdon 5-4 win over Oxton, Bolton crept to within four points of the title with a gutsy 2-1 win away at Plas Coch.

Trips to North Wales have proved fruitless in the recent past, but Bolton were not to be denied on this occasion.

Though the home side pressed from the off, they lacked penetration. Their best goal efforts were actually from Bolton defender Scott Tobutt, who saw one deflection saved by his own keeper, Paul Neville, before nudging the ball into the goal. Fortunately for Tobutt, hockey does not have 'own goals' and Neville was to remain untroubled for the remainder of the half.

Bolton tightened up after the scare and the hard work of Martin Luke and Chris Williams gradually helped establish midfield dominance. This has provided the platform for goals in previous games, but chances were few and far between despite an abundance of possession.

John Woods and Steve Way saw half chances well blocked, but otherwise bolton were strangely ineffectual in front of goal. On a hard pitch, even the penalty corner routine was misfiring. After the break, Bolton were caught out, having resumed slowly. A raid that seemed to promise little, suddenly caused panic in the area. Neville brought off three fine saves at close range and in rapid succession, but he was powerless to stop yet a further rebound being smacked home, as his defenders stood and watched.

Plas Coch were never to threaten again, as the defence shut up shop, allowing the forwards the opportunity to retrieve the game. Aitken saw his crisp drive superbly saved low at the far post, Woods tried a reverse stick shot, when a pass to Aitken might have been a wiser choice and Way was only stopped by foul means rather than fair, as Bolton finally laid siege to the home area. Thankfully the pressure finally told.

As the penalty corner count increased, Woods found his range. Whilst the equaliser may have benefited from the keeper's assist, the winner was top class, flying high into the net over an astounded defender on the line. No more goals, but the game was played out in relative comfort, as the three points duly collected.

The 4th XI played in a classic "game of two halves", being 0-0 at the break and losing 5-0 at the end.

Suffering a crisis of confidence being without a win since November 25, Bolton were forced to take the game to their opponents, Deeside Ramblers, and their positive approach brought penalty corners, excellent play from Andrew Jones and Peter Friend, shots saved, but no goals. The change of ends brought a change of game, as Deeside dominated scoring five unanswered goals in a rampant second half display.

The 5th XI enjoyed their outing to North Wales, returning home with three points from a 4-1 win at Northop Hall. The opening exchanges were ruled by mistakes, Bolton taking the lead just before break with the only moment of quality, Matthew Rimmer rounding off a crisp move, involving Phil Orth and Rob Scarth, with a neat swerve and sweet drive. Rimmer then started the second period on fire and completed his hat-trick, with a flick and then another drive, both set up by Matthew Simpson. Dave Fox then scored his customary goal and not even the late consolation goal could dent the Bolton composure.

Robert Allen's man of the match performance in goal was not enough to save the U16 Badgers against Brooklands, as his heroics kept Bolton in the game in the first half. He was beaten by a swift penalty corner and a good finish soon after the break, but then kept his team from further punishment, aided and abetted by H.Patel and P. Walton, to only go down 2-0.