Bolton County set up with a group of young players and started the game well. They dominated the first part of the game and went 1-0 up. Manchester Gregorians had some good chances and were unlucky not to pull one back before the break. The visitors went into the break with a deserved 1-0 advantage.
Manchester Gregorians started the second half much better and were rewarded with a goal. It was some great play by Harry Kilbride to put our new signing Ali Jabbane through, and his deflected shot made its way into their goal, 1-1.
The next goal was a superb counter-attack from Gregorian’s after County had been putting a lot of pressure on. A quick break from our substitute Ossie Omar who was making an immediate impact. He floated a delicious well-weighted ball for Kilbride to pop up with a header at the back post, 2-1.
County then came back with more pressure. As a team, Gregorian withstood this for long periods until they got a free-kick from 35 yards out. Their keeper popped up to deliver a ball which ended up in the back of our net, leaving everybody bemused at what had just happened, 2-2 with less than 10 minutes to go.
Looking like we might have to share the points, Kilbride steps up again. Ali Jabbane put him through on another counter; he shifted the ball from his right to his weaker left foot and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner leaving the keeper with no chance, 3-2.
County came back and put Gregorian under more pressure and didn’t give up until the final whistle. It was an open and evenly matched game against two well established Manchester League teams. Still, we felt the final result was well deserved and we go onto the next game with confidence.
Final result 3-2.