By Chris Larkin
County fans got a pleasant surprise when they learned that the game against Bolton, initially billed as a development squad, was actually a run out for the first team.
County started off with an 11 featuring King, Jacobs, Charnock, Tunnicliffe, O'Halloran, Coppin, Verma, Hand, Craney, Howard and Dennis and showed early initiative, going for goal twice in the first minute, continued to press with Bolton getting very little of the ball at all.
Until the 15th minute, when the Trotters scored, completely against the run of play, to put them 1-0 up. The lead wouldn't even last 5 minutes, however, as a well struck effort from the ever-improving Ian Craney was only palmed out as far as Kristian Dennis who slid in to get a much deserved equaliser for County.
The game evened out following the leveller but the next goal still looking like coming from County as they showed a bit more bravery and determination going forward with trialists Coppin and Verma both looking very impressive in midfield.
But it was Bolton who regained the lead following a brilliant run from Chris Lester, jinking between County players before coolly slotting just beyond King in the County goal to make it 2-1 just before half-time.
The Second half began with Fagbola coming on for Jacobs, and Andy Carroll lookalike, Lama, a South American trialist, replacing Iain Howard.
None of the first half flow was left in the dressing room as County came out attacking from the off, with the players unafraid to shoot, finishing the game with 21 shots, 10 of which worked the Goalkeeper. Lama looked impressive at first with some good passing and movement, however when Bateman and Turner replaced Coppin and Craney, he seemed a little lost and his passing abilities seemed to leave the pitch with Coppin.
County went in search of an equaliser but in the end couldn't quite find that elusive goal but still recorded a solid performance against a good Bolton side with a number of Youth Internatonals in their ranks.
I'd be surprised if Verma or Coppin didn't get another crack at Cheadle Heath Nomads on Wednesday.
Many thanks to Hatter in Macc for being my official statistician again.
No comments:
Post a Comment