County v Bolton: Friendly Match Thread (22/07/2015)

I know of two fixtures for the Bolton Youth, a 1-1 draw with Atherton Colls and a 2-1 win over Colwyn Bay. Although I'm sure they played Fylde too but I can't find the result, anyway a tough test but one I'm expecting the ever improving Hatters to more than match their own. Would it be a shock to see a County win?

i might have done my friendlies for the season. macc away doesn't appeal, and nor do midweek home friendlies... i would like to see more of them, but i'm particularly busy at work.

it's the two and a half hour round trip really fudge. during the season, i often take the wednesday off after a tuesday night game, but although i did it last week after the airbus friendly, i struggle to justify it to myself for a home friendly against a -primarily youth- XI. it's not as though we're likely to see bastian schweinsteiger, is it?*

*and if you go and he's their midfield lynchpin, then good luck to you!

Well I have to say that was a very enjoyable game!

The first 10-15 minutes or so seemed very slow and not much fluidity to the play but once we kicked into gear and started driving at Bolton we looked much the better team! Two very good chances fell to Odejayi who was unlucky not to be able to put them away. It was all one way traffic with County just having chance after chance, most of which were created by the excellent Bell-Baggie, though Micah Evans did his fair share of grafting as well!

When Bolton did venture forward Danny Hurst and his defence seemed very quick to cut out any sniff of danger. When County did finally take the lead just before half-time, through O'Hanlon, it was no more than we deserved for our perseverance. Though I did think at first the corner went directly in!

Just a minute or two after Half Time Bolton were given a penalty but from where we were sat directly above it but about 10 rows or so back, it looked like a very soft decision from minimal contact but it was dutifully converted to tie it up for Bolton and then around 5-10 minutes later they made it 2-1 from a wonderful curling effort.

County didn't buckle completely under this Bolton pressure though and did get themselves back on level terms after an hour or so with ABB adding to his already impressive pre-season record with a superb goal right over the goalie and nestling into the net.

All in all a very good performance against a team that will be better than most we will play this season and very encouraging signs. I like the football Young tries to play and very impressed with the players in general. ABB particularly stood out for me! Probably won't be going to Macc on Friday but hoping to get to the United game!

All sounds good for the upcoming season.

Just hope the bubble doesn't burst.

Looked very solid in everything he did. Rarely put a foot wrong all game, none of the defence did!

Both of their goals were complete flukes, the penalty was excessively soft and their second was just one of those pieces of magic that all the training in the world can't account for!