6.30pm 28 April 2021
Bolton Hospital Cup, Quarter Final
CMB 2 Old Boltonians 1 (att 105)
The revival of the Bolton Hospital Cup seems to have caught the imagination of local football followers. Last season's competition was scuppered by the pandemic, but this year it's helping to fill a void caused by Covid.
Sixteen teams entered, and West Lancashire League CMB (Chew Moor Brook, as they're less commonly known) moved into the last four after an entertaining tie against Old Boltonians.
A home win was always likely, as the visitors play in the Lancashire Amateur League, but CMB were at that level themselves not so long ago and it was by no means an easy passage through the quarter final.
CMB were still in the Lancashire Amateur League when I visited in 2008. That night they played on one of two undeveloped pitches. Since then the other pitch, closer to the clubhouse, has been enclosed as the main ground.
Not only is the pitch neatly fenced off, with advertising boards and dugouts in place, but there's some cover for spectators built on the front of the clubhouse. It's an impressive set up.
The size of the crowd was also impressive, reflecting interest in the cup (which raises money for charities) as well as the progress made by CMB. Back in 2008 I was one of just 17 people watching.
To first half goals swung this tie in CMB's favour, but Old Boltonians pulled one back early in the second period to keep the match interesting. They had half chances to equalise, but the home team always had the upper hand.
Comments
Post a Comment