THERE is no way anyone could describe this as a vintage season for Old Boltonians but Steve Eccleshare feels it could be a case of taking one step back to move two forward.

Perennial title challengers in the Premier Division in recent years, Old Bolts have been suffering something of a lull this time around and currently sit 10th, 18 points behind leaders Whitworth Valley.

The school’s side last won the title in 2015 and have little or no chance of even making the top three this season.

But, after their 3-0 win at bottom team Bury GSOB on Saturday, the manager feels this disappointing campaign could benefit his side in the long run, stripping any trace of nonchalance from players who have become used to challenging for honours.

“It was a much-needed win against a good Bury side, especially after the previous result (a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Rochdale St Clements),” said Eccleshare. “I’m glad it didn’t finish 1-0 because we needed to lift their confidence and I think we’re starting to get rid of the complacency that we’ve suffered with.

“The players are used to being up there and being near the top for so many years, it’s been hard to keep them ticking. I spoke to Failsworth Dynamos’ manager and he said they have suffered with the same thing in the last year or two and they’re getting back up there now. So hopefully this season has been a bit of a wake-up and they’re back in the right frame of mind.

“Because there’s not been much for them to play for this season a lot have dropped out of a lot of games, we can have five or six missing every week.

“You’re only as good as what you put into a game and we really put it in on Saturday.”

At the weekend Old Bolts initially struggled to break down a resilient Bury GSOB who prop up the table but are certainly no pushovers. It was only after Tom Allcroft headed in the opener that Eccleshare felt a more emphatic victory – and Old Bolts’ first since early November – would be secured.

Matt McLellan made it 2-0 and Nick Holt completed the scoring for Old Bolts, who travel to second-placed Burnley Belvedere on Saturday.

That fixture may come a week too soon for captain Dave Warburton to make his comeback from injury, though he did complete a 90-minute stint in the reserve team’s game. Eccleshare admits he is ready to welcome back his skipper, not least for his ability to direct matters, a priceless commodity when several young players have broken through and are still finding their feet in first-team football.

“Warby has been a massive loss,” he said. “He steadies the ship, instructs others and he has a massive influence on the team. He’s 38 now but he still does a great job.

“He got through 90 minutes on Saturday in the reserves – I thought he would be better doing that than being a sub with the first team – but he’s probably another game away from coming back into the firsts. With people like him and Rob Taylor missing it’s been difficult.

“We’ve got young lads coming into the team this season, and what you get with younger ones is hungry players who can sometimes lose their composure, they probably try too hard and it works against them. That will be enough for you to pick some results up but some will go against you.

“We had a lot of chances against Bury but not enough composure in front of goal, that’s something we’ll be working on.

“The aim for us now is not to get to a certain position, or even to finish as the top Bolton team in the division, I just want us to get back to playing with belief in ourselves. I’m looking for us to regain what we can play like – and how we have done in previous years that’s served us well.

“As long as they put in the same amount of effort and enthusiasm then that’s all I ask.

“Hopefully we’ve turned the corner now and we’ll improve.”

Old Bolts’ town rivals in the Premier Division all tasted defeat, with Thornleigh beaten 4-1 by Burnley Belvedere, Little Lever losing 5-1 to Failsworth and Blackrod Town edged out 3-2 by Prestwich.

There was, however, success for Horwich RMI in Division One as they beat Accrington Amateurs 2-1.

In the West Lancashire League Turton were 2-0 winners at Euxton Villa, Ally Dickson and Kieran Sisson netting but, although Aaron Thorpe (two) and Tom Booth found the net, Tempest United lost 5-3 at home to Blackpool Wren Rovers.

CMB won the Division One derby against Eagley, with Matt Chapman (two), Daniel Lever, Ben Thornton and Paul Hallows scoring in a 5-3 victory. Jacob Greenhalgh’s hat-trick accounted for all of the Eagles’ goals in reply.

Stoneclough’s long away-day proved fruitless as they lost 2-1 at Kendal County.

Horwich St Mary’s Victoria continue to lead the way in Division Two, extending the gap to second-placed Croston to nine points with a 3-0 win at Furness Cavaliers, Matt Hancock (two) and Scott Adamson scoring.

Bolton County remain comfortably in mid-table in the Manchester League Premier Division, following their 1-1 draw at home to Stockport Georgians, Liam Short netting their goal.

Division One side Bolton Lads and Girls Club suffered a defeat in the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup, going down 2-0 at Old Mancunians.

Breightmet United were also beaten on Saturday, losing 6-2 at Manchester Gregorians’ reserves.

In the Hallmark Security League First Division North, Daisy Hill pulled themselves out of the bottom two with a 3-1 win at home to Cleator Moor Celtic.

There was a brace for Ashley Stott, taking his tally to 16 in 15 games since returning to New Sirs in October, with Hensley Mills netting their third.

Atherton LR were back in action after their suspension for unpaid debts to the league. However, it was an unhappy first match of the year for Rovers as they were beaten 4-0 at Bacup Borough.