BOLTON's Beavers went to Chester and could feel justifiably agrieved
coming away with a 2-1 defeat.
Both sides played attractive hockey and the game ebbed and flowed as each team had periods of prolonged superiority.
Bolton were off to a flying start going 0-1 up after only five minutes. William Heaney led the Bolton attack from the off and was a constant thorn in Chester's defence throughout the game, ably supported by Adam and Briony Wilminton. It has a typical Heaney run through the middle of the pitch
which created Bolton's goal. With only one player to beat Heaney slipped the
ball through to Adam Wilmington who slotted home. Bolton created a number of other chances and Heaney was unlucky not to make the score two nil when he beat the Chester keeper to a cross from the right wing only to see the
ball pass agonisingly outside the right hand upright.
With Chester able to utilise three substitutes and therefore constantly
use fresh players it was the responsibility of the outstanding Paul Walton and Rebekah Wilmington to repel the Chester attacks. David Flanagan was
equally disciplined in mid field as he held Chester at bay as well as creating
many of Bolton's best openings.
Mid way through the second half Bolton looked comfortable for the win when
a Chester attack down the left wing found the centre forward in space and although his shot was not the best it deflected off Jonathan Howard in
goal and trickled over the line. A draw seemed a fair result but both sides pushed forward for the win and it was Chester who were able to make the breakthrough. Again it was a rare foray into the Bolton D and the rising shot was again parried by Howard but it was not enough to keep the ball
out.
Howard felt justifiably annoyed at conceding two goals to shots he would comfortably have saved on any other day. The result was the only negative
to come out of a game which saw Bolton's youngsters apply any amount of
passion and application. Everyone played for the team and ran themselves to a virtual standstill.
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