Cheshire League - Premier Division
Bollington
Town
Town
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1
–
1
Lostock
Gralam
Gralam
Away
Philip Milsom58'
Lewis Murray
Match Report
Town dominate but are denied late by Lostock's only shot of the game
Bollington Town drew 1–1 with Lostock Gralam at All Hallows Catholic College on Saturday in the Cheshire League Premier Division. Philip Milsom headed Town in front from a Beau Gatward free kick, and they dominated from first whistle to last — only for a Lostock long shot in the 87th minute to snatch an equaliser Luke Earl couldn't reach. A point that felt like two dropped.
First Half
1'
Early Foul
Jake Eastham's mistimed tackle in the opening minute handed possession back to Lostock, but Town quickly reasserted control and never looked back.
3'
Williams Clears Off Corner
Lostock threatened from a corner cross but Daniel Williams got his head to it superbly, clearing the danger off the line — one of very few moments where the opposition threatened all half.
11'
Manning Free Kick Saved
Finn Manning stepped up and let fly from range with a free kick that forced the Lostock goalkeeper into a save. Town were already in the ascendancy.
14'
Injury Stoppage
A brief stoppage after Ally Harrison-Virani accidentally bundled an opposition player over. No booking, play resumed quickly — Town remained in control.
19'
Minor Collision
A minor collision involving Declan Hanks saw possession given to Lostock, but it amounted to nothing. Town continued to dominate possession and territory.
24'
Harrison-Virani Header
A brilliant Beau Gatward corner found Ally Harrison-Virani at the far post — his header was agonisingly close but couldn't find the net. Town were piling on the pressure.
28'
Opposition Shot Over
A rare Lostock Gralam attack — and they couldn't make it count, firing over the bar. It was a reminder that they were in the game despite offering almost nothing going forward.
33'
Gatward Goal Disallowed
The biggest moment of the first half. Beau Gatward had a clear sight of goal and finished well — only for the goal to be ruled out for either offside or handball from a Bollington player. Town were outplaying Lostock at every turn but had nothing to show for it.
34'
Harrison-Virani Shot Saved — Connolly Can't Adjust
Ally Harrison-Virani drove a long-range effort on target, forcing the Lostock keeper to parry. The ball broke to Joshua Connolly but he couldn't get set in time — another chance gone begging in a half of sustained Town pressure.
40'
Gatward Double Chance
Town came agonisingly close again. Daniel Williams crossed for Ally Harrison-Virani, who fed Beau Gatward in a dangerous position. His first attempt bounced just in front of the goal line; his second was saved. Town deserved a goal but the Lostock keeper was keeping them out.
1
Goals Scored
1
Disallowed Goals
1
Yellow Cards
3
Substitutions
Second Half
51'
Connolly Hard Shot Over
Joshua Connolly arrived late and struck a hard effort goalwards, but it floated just over the crossbar. Town were immediately on the front foot in the second half.
53'
Eastham Long Shot Saved
Jake Eastham had a go from 25 yards out — a good shot that the Lostock keeper did well to get across to. A genuine effort that deserved more.
54'
Harrison-Virani Shot Saved
Beau Gatward delivered a cross to Ally Harrison-Virani, who got a shot away — but the keeper was equal to it again. Town were relentless.
56'
Richardson Shot Too High
George Richardson found space and pulled the trigger but sent his effort over the bar. Another chance gone in an increasingly one-sided half.
58'
Goal — Philip Milsom
The breakthrough, and it was brilliantly taken. Beau Gatward's free kick was met by Philip Milsom, who attacked the ball from 20 yards and headed it home with power — the keeper had no time to react. 1–0 to Town, and thoroughly deserved.
61'
Substitution — Heppell On
Declan Hanks made way for Jack Heppell as Town made their first change.
65'
Substitution — Zach Gatward On
George Richardson was replaced by Zach Gatward as Town continued to push.
66'
Milsom Shot Deflected
A sharp pass from Joshua Connolly found Philip Milsom, who hit a decent effort on target — only for it to be deflected away by the Lostock backline. Town were still asking all the questions.
67'
Manning Long Shot Over
Finn Manning tried his luck from distance but sent the ball out of bounds. Town continuing to press from every angle.
70'
Milsom Chance Too High
Ally Harrison-Virani laid the ball off to Philip Milsom, who had a chance to double Town's lead — but couldn't keep his effort down, skying it over the bar.
73'
Substitution — Atkinson On, Beau to Centre Forward
Joshua Connolly was replaced by Callum Atkinson. Beau Gatward moved into a centre forward role as Town looked to put the game to bed.
77'
Harrison-Virani Jumping Attempt Missed
Ally Harrison-Virani went for an acrobatic jumping effort but couldn't direct it on target. Town weren't done going forward.
78'
Atkinson Misses 1v1
Callum Atkinson found himself clean through on the Lostock keeper — a golden chance to make it 2–0 — but couldn't convert the one-on-one. It would prove a costly miss.
87'
Goal — Lostock Gralam
Against the run of play entirely, Lostock equalised through a long-range strike that flew past Luke Earl before he could get across. Their only meaningful effort of the game, and it was enough to deny Town the win they had so clearly earned. 1–1.
90+10'
Gatward Booked in Stoppage Time
In a lengthy period of added time, Beau Gatward was shown a yellow card — a frustrating final note to an afternoon where Town gave everything and were undone by a single opposition shot.
Town created chance after chance for 87 minutes, dominated every inch of the pitch — and were undone by the one time Lostock pulled the trigger.
Match Verdict
This was a performance Bollington Town can be proud of, even if the result leaves a bitter taste. They were dominant from first whistle to last — creating chance after chance, working the keeper repeatedly, and going in front through Philip Milsom's powerful header from a Beau Gatward free kick.
The chances kept coming after the goal too — a deflected Milsom effort, a Manning long shot, Ally Harrison-Virani's acrobatic attempt, and most painfully, Callum Atkinson's missed one-on-one in the 78th minute that would have killed the game. Town did everything but score a second.
The sucker punch came in the 87th minute — a Lostock long shot that flew past Luke Earl before he could reach it. Their only meaningful effort of the entire afternoon, and it cost Town two points they had thoroughly earned. On the balance of play, it wasn't even close.
Team Lineups
Bollington Town
- Joshua ConnollySub 73'
- Alfie Earith
- Luke Earl
- Jake Eastham
- Beau Gatward🟨 90+10'
- Declan HanksSub 61'
- Ally Harrison-Virani
- Finn Manning
- Philip Milsom⚽ 58'
- George RichardsonSub 65'
- Daniel Williams
Substitutes
- Callum AtkinsonOn 73'
- Zach GatwardOn 65'
- Jack HeppellOn 61'
Lostock Gralam
- Angus Bailey
- Oliver Basnett
- Tom Cox
- Luke Duckworth
- Lewis Murray⚽
- Nelson Onwusiri
- James Rogers
- Maxwell Scott
- Fynn Seggie
- Charley Thomas
- Jasper Cox
Substitutes
- Kinte Armstrong
- Victor Arogundade
- Ben Canny
- Connor Leask
- Ramone Williams