BOLTON men's second team returned to action this weekend at home to Blackpool's seconds in foggy conditions.

Searching for their first win in six games in the North West Hockey League Division Four North, they were defeated 2-1 by a Blackpool side who were also embroiled in the relegation battle alongside them.

Bolton started the game confidently but were pinned back time and time again as Blackpool attacked with intent. However, Bolton held on with some rugged defending and some expert goalkeeping to keep the score at 0-0.

With so many attacks by Blackpool they were susceptible to the counter and with some superb counter-attacking hockey Bolton nearly took the lead but it was not to be and the first half came to a close with the score still 0-0 and vision limited.

The fog finally lifted in the second half but it was Blackpool who found the opening goal as they broke through the Bolton defence shortly after the restart.

However, captain Sean McGovern levelled the tie with an exquisite short corner to put his side back in with a shout.

Bolton failed to build on the momentum and their defence was breached again as Blackpool stretched a fatigued Bolton side to make the game 2-1.

It could have been a lot worse when Blackpool were awarded a flick late on but they failed to capitalise. Bolton pushed on till the end but could not find that decisive goal to level the proceedings and the match finished 2-1 to Blackpool.

The game was not a pretty one with cards shown to players on both sides but Bolton will be kicking themselves not to have taken at least a point from this game.

They will hope for better fortunes this weekend when they travel to West Derby aiming to pick up three points.

In the ladies' ranks the first team took on Lancaster in a friendly on Saturday afternoon.

The team took to the field without seven regular players and captain Vicky Dean only played 10 minutes.

Considering their lack of usual suspects the girls started well and performed well in an end-to-end affair in ever-thickening fog.

A defensive mistake led to Lancaster getting a goal but the girls did not let it affect them and were unlucky on numerous occasions not to score.

Jenny Neville and Kerry Carinici worked well together in midfield, winning the ball and creating havoc in the Lancaster back line.

However, Lancaster doubled their advantage with another well-finished goal.

Unfortunately that was the last of the action as, with only half an hour played, the game had to be abandoned due to the worsening fog endangering the players' safety.

The run-out did allow the girls to shake off some of the Christmas cobwebs though, and they will go to Wilmslow for a North Hockey Women's League Division Two South West fixture on Saturday.

The club's Beavers were in action as they travelled to Preston on Saturday and, against a much stronger Preston side, they played with their usual enthusiasm and determination.

It was very much a match of end-to-end play with strong attacks by Preston leading to an opening goal five minutes in which in turn put the pressure on Bolton.

There was great play by both teams on show and as Preston broke again goalkeeper Joe Birtwistle managed to deny them a goal with a great save. But there was little respite and Preston kept up the pressure and did score their second goal a minute later.

Bolton went close to scoring but Preston responded with yet another break and some clinical finishing meant they led 5-0 at half time.

Bolton started the second half with great determination but conceded another goal within two minutes of the half starting.

The first short corner of the match went Preston's way and their conversion brought their tally to seven, with Bolton unable to get off the mark.

Three more short corners during the second half were defended well but they were unable to get any reward for their efforts and the match finished 7-0. The man-of-the-match award went to William Burgess.