Cheshire League - Premier Division

11 August 202619:30 KOChurch Lane (New Mills AFC)

Bollington
Town

Home

–

Lostock
Gralam

Away

Daniel Williams59'

Muhammad Abdullah Butt82'

Match Report

Bolly fight back from two down but have to settle for a share of the spoils against Lostock Gralam

Bollington Town created enough to have won this one twice over, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Lostock Gralam at Church Lane after twice falling behind, Daniel Williams and second-half substitute Muhammad Abdullah Butt cancelling out a two-goal deficit before a string of late chances went unrewarded.

First Half

Injury Stoppage

Play was halted for an injury inside the opening ten minutes.

Hibbert Off Injured, Williams On

Ryan Hibbert couldn't continue and was replaced by Daniel Williams, an early change that would go on to pay off.

21'

Richardson Header Saved

Jake Bowers swung in a corner and George Richardson rose to head goalwards, but the Lostock Gralam keeper was equal to it.

25'

Lostock Gralam Take the Lead

The visitors broke the deadlock to make it 0-1.

30'

Bowers Free-Kick from a Foul on Hanks

Declan Hanks was fouled to win a free-kick, but Jake Bowers' delivery couldn't find an ideal spot in the box.

32'

Manning Booked for Diving

Finn Manning was shown a yellow card for an alleged dive in the Lostock Gralam box.

34'

Bowers Free-Kick Header Off the Bar

A foul on George Richardson just outside the box gave Jake Bowers another free-kick, this one crashing back off the crossbar from a header.

35'

Multiple Chances in the Box

Town created several openings inside the box, but neither Declan Hanks nor Philip Milsom could capitalise.

36'

Bowers Free-Kick Over the Bar

Jake Bowers had another dead-ball effort, this one drifting just over the crossbar.

38'

Richardson Effort Deflected

George Richardson drove 20 yards through midfield and into the box, but his shot was deflected behind by the keeper.

41'

Opposition Booked for Challenge on Eastham

A Lostock Gralam player was shown a yellow card for a reckless two-footed challenge on Jake Eastham, with Alfie Earith taking the resulting free-kick.

45+1'

Bowers Stamped On, Opposition Booked

Jake Bowers was on the end of a stamp from a Lostock Gralam player, who was booked for the challenge. The resulting free-kick came to nothing.

45+5'

Hanks Cross Unsuccessful

Declan Hanks put a cross into the box as the half drew to a close, but it couldn't be turned into a chance.

Goals Scored

Goals Conceded

Draw

Result

Second Half

47'

Richardson Effort Held

A Town corner was met by George Richardson, whose shot went straight into the keeper's hands.

51'

Lostock Gralam Double Their Lead

The visitors extended their advantage to make it 0-2.

59'

Goal — Daniel Williams

Town halved the deficit. Jake Bowers and Jack Heppell combined to release Daniel Williams, who drove home from 20 yards to make it 1-2.

61'

Joyce Save

Matthew Joyce produced a good save at the other end, forcing Lostock Gralam into a corner that came to nothing.

63'

Double Change for Town

Jack Heppell and Joshua Connolly were withdrawn, with Muhammad Abdullah Butt and Maxwell Berkeley introduced.

67'

Berkeley Long Shot Wins a Corner

Maxwell Berkeley fired just over the crossbar from long range, winning a corner. Jake Bowers won a second corner for Town moments later.

75'

Milsom Effort on Target

Philip Milsom forced a save from the Lostock Gralam keeper with a shot on target.

78'

Williams Goes Close

Daniel Williams had a near chance after a corner was cropped back into the box.

82'

Goal — Muhammad Abdullah Butt

Town drew level. George Richardson picked out substitute Muhammad Abdullah Butt with a pass in the box, and he finished well to make it 2-2.

85'

Another Chance for the Winner

Town pushed on for a winner and had another sight of goal, but it wasn't to be.

Bolly shaded the chances column from start to finish — a draw from 2-0 down is no disgrace, but this was one that got away.

Match Verdict

Town were forced into an early reshuffle when Ryan Hibbert was replaced by Daniel Williams after an injury stoppage inside the first ten minutes. Bolly weren't at their fluent best over a scrappy first half, but still had their moments, Jake Bowers rattling the crossbar from a free-kick and George Richardson twice denied, before falling behind against the run of play on 25' to trail 0-1 at the break.

Lostock Gralam extended their lead early in the second half to make it 0-2, but Bolly responded by taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Town were relentless from there, Jake Bowers and Jack Heppell combining to release Daniel Williams for a well-struck finish from 20 yards to make it 1-2, before a double change on the hour mark brought fresh legs in Muhammad Abdullah Butt and Maxwell Berkeley. Chances kept coming at both ends, with Matthew Joyce doing well between the sticks and Philip Milsom and Daniel Williams both going close, but the third goal Town's pressure deserved wouldn't come.

George Richardson found substitute Muhammad Abdullah Butt to level it up on 82', and Town continued to push for a winner in the closing stages without finding one. On the balance of chances Bolly should have had all three points, but after being 2-0 down at Church Lane, a share of the spoils is a fair return.

Team Lineups

Bollington Town

Jake Bowers
Joshua ConnollySub 63'
Alfie Earith
Jake Eastham
Declan Hanks
Jack HeppellSub 63'
Ryan HibbertSub 7'
Matthew Joyce
Finn Manning🟨 32'
Philip Milsom
George Richardson

Substitutes

Maxwell BerkeleyOn 63'
Muhammad Abdullah Butt⚽ 82'On 63'
Daniel Williams⚽ 59'On 7'

Lostock Gralam