Lancashire Amateur League (From The Bolton News)

Lancashire Amateur League

7:22pm Monday 2nd March 2009 in

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LEADERS Old Boltonians boosted their Premier Division title hopes when they edged the derby clash at Little Lever Sports Club.

Little Lever, who began the game in third place and needed a victory to strengthen their own push for the title, paid for their inability to turn possession into goals as they slipped to sixth.

It was a good day for Old Bolts, who bounced back from two defeats to get back on track in their bid for a first title since 1985.

They moved nine points clear of second-placed Old Blackburnians, who dropped two points but have five games in hand, and Rossendale Amateurs, who suffered a surprise defeat at an inspired Bolton Lads Club.

Kieran Walsh gave Old Bolts a half-time lead and last season’s top scorer Bob Taylor doubled the lead before Little Lever, whose Craig Bingham was a constant threat on the right wing, had striker Ben Wells sent off late on before Andy Bingham halved the deficit straight after.

One place and one point behind Little Lever are Bolton Wyresdale who beat Rochdale St Clements 2-1.

Gaz Whiteside strengthened his position as the club’s top scorer with the opening goal. Rochdale levelled from the spot before half time after a handball, but Wyresdale refused to be denied and grabbed the winner two minutes from time when Whiteside crossed for Simon Griffiths to finish from close range.

Third bottom Bolton Lads Club produced a stirring performance to put a severe dent in Rossendale’s title ambitions and give themselves a massive confidence booster in their bid to beat relegation.

They moved four points clear of the bottom two relegation places and showed their character by coming back from a goal down at half time.

Wez Gallagher equalised when he stooped to convert a low corner with a flicked header, and Neil Boardman scored the winner when he stretched ahead of a defender to poke home a cross from the right.

Horwich RMI are two points and two places above the Lads Club after also winning 2-1 at home to Lymm.

Ryan Killeen put RMI ahead just after the break when he latched on to a through ball and drove the ball into the far corner.

The bottom club levelled 15 minutes from time and Enver Batkiter fired home the decisive goal eight minutes later.