2pm 23 November 2024
Lancashire Amateur League, Division Two
Bolton Rangers 2 Breightmet United 3 (att 16)
On a day when Storm Bert wiped out many fixtures this game, on the relative safety of an artificial surface, was always my first choice.
With evening plans I had to be back home early, and these days most local options for new grounds are 3G pitches. Newly-formed Bolton Rangers were unable to secure a ground in the town, so have settled on playing a short drive away in Darwen.
I don't know how old the pitch at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is, but it's showing its age. The ground is floodlit, and on a gloomy afternoon the lights were on almost from the start. Wooden fencing behind the ubiquitous cage, on one side and at the far end, provided a welcome buffer from the worst of the weather.
Bolton Rangers are playing their debut season in senior football, but Breightmet United have a long history, going back to 1880. I last saw them lose by double figures in the Manchester League two years ago, so I'm pleased to see they've successfully regrouped at a lower level.
They're currently pushing towards the top end of the Lancashire Amateur League's third tier, and kept pressure on the teams above them with a win that, while deserved, had looked unlikely.
Breightmet began the game on the front foot, creating several good chances before conceding when Rangers managed a rare foray forward.
The home side doubled their lead from the penalty spot five minutes into second half. At that point it looked like being a frustrating afternoon for Breightmet, but with a little under half-an-hour left they scored twice in just a couple minutes.
With momentum very much in their favour it was no surprise when the visitors went on get what turned out to the winner. Both teams deserve credit for an excellent game, especially in such wet and windy conditions.
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