WHILE many local teams were forced out of action on Saturday, Bolton United will be delighted their game went ahead.

They hit five goals to beat Hindley Juniors in Division Two and move to within a point of leaders FC Unsworth.

Sal Docky’s side were 5-1 winners at St John’s Park and climbed two places to third, behind AFC Monton on goals difference.

That success came at a cost to their manager, though, as his spell on the sideline, coupled with attending an academy event that morning, and coaching at training sessions the following day, saw him feel the effects of the cold and wet.

“I’m suffering now but it was a good win for us, it was worth it,” he told The Bolton News.

“We’re doing okay, we’re getting there but, to be honest, I haven’t looked at the league table yet, it’s too early for us to be doing that.”

Docky may not be showing much interest in the early standings but he says the Tempest Road club is focused on one thing this season – promotion.

And though they incurred injuries to a number of players during their pre-season preparations, he feels once their numbers begin to fill up and the injured players start filing back they have more than enough ability at the club to put up a strong challenge.

“Our aim this season is to get into Division One and I think we’ll be fine,” said Docky, whose side have suffered just one defeat in their opening six league games.

“Umar Chaddat scored two goals against Hindley, and Adil Rashid, Olato Ali and Shakeel Abdul scored too.

“We did well, and we should have a few players back in the next couple of weeks, we have a few missing with work commitments and injuries that we picked up in pre-season.

“But we’ve done well so far and once we get everyone in it will be a help.”

While happy with what he currently has at his disposal, Docky is looking to recruit new players to join the promotion challenge this season.

United’s first team are flourishing in Division Two and the reserve team has taken four points from their opening two games in Division Five.

Docky can be contacted for more information on 07702 757609.

The Second Division’s bottom team, Breightmet United, are still searching for their first league points of the season.

They were defeated 5-0 on Saturday by Irlam Steel.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club were also on the wrong end of a 5-0 scoreline, as they lost at home to Elton Vale.

There was little joy for Bolton teams in the Lancashire Amateur League at the weekend, with Little Lever and Thornleigh losing in the Premier Division and Blackrod Town and Horwich RMI losing in Division One.

Little Lever were beaten 3-2 at Old Blackburnians while Thornleigh lost the day’s high-scoring match, 8-5 at Chaddertonians. Blackrod lost 4-2 against Failsworth Dynamos reserves and Horwich RMI shipped four goals without reply at Radcliffe Town.

In the North West Counties League First Division North Atherton LR lost 1-0 at Holker Old Boys while Daisy Hill collected a point from their trip to Shelley, Jacob Ridings scoring their goal.

Tempest United took advantage of their rivals’ postponed matches to take first place in the West Lancashire League Premier Division, courtesy of their 4-1 victory at Hurst Green.

Tempest led 2-1 at half time, with Kurtis Farlow opening the scoring on 10 minutes and Tom Booth doubling the advantage 10 minutes before the break.

And, although their hosts halved the deficit just before the break Ross McNair’s side added a further two goals in the second half, Aaron Thorpe hitting number three five minutes after the restart and Nathan Monson completing the scoring with five minutes remaining.

The victory saw the Greens climb from fifth to first in the Premier Division table.

They turn their attention to their Richardson Cup derby this Saturday, with a first-round tie at Turton.

The Tigers’ league game at Burscough, and CMB’s home game with Poulton were both postponed.

In Division One, Horwich’s game at Croston and the derby involving Eagley and Stoneclough also fell foul of the weather.