BFC 1-1 Bolton Wanderers, Saturday 16th August 2025

‘There’d be about 35 people left. No mercy!’

Well, what a game that was. For 50 minutes that was an evenly contested game between what look like 2 quite good teams, then the ref intervenes to send Yoganathan off for tackling someone. Yes, he was chasing after a poor touch, but he gets to the ball comfortably first, foot sideways (so he’s not trying to hurt anybody) and their player gets caught because the thing about momentum is, you can’t stop it dead. ‘Out of control’ my backside. I’m sorry, but Conor is wrong. ‘Yoganathan needs to learn from this.’ Does he indeed? Yes, bottle the tackle and have half of Oakwell screaming at you. I’ll tell you who needs to learn from this, Conor, and that’s YOU. YOU left a midfielder on, one who likes to put in a tackle, who cares about the Red shirt, AFTER he’d received a booking. YOU could have taken him off at half-time and we’d still have had 11 players.

Even his first booking was unfortunate, as their player BLASTED the ball at him while he was stood off the pitch. (This alone could have warranted a red card for the Bolton player for dangerous play). Obviously, Vimal got a tad upset and before you knew it, both players were pushing each other. So, let’s say the Wanderer gets a yellow card for ‘ungentlemanly conduct’ for blasting the ball, wouldn’t that make the shoving a 2nd yellow? Not a bit of it, and another reason why I’m incensed about Yoga’s red.

We were one-up an’ all, McGoldrick slotting in before I’d had time to take my seat for the 2nd half. Connell played a great throughball down the left, but the goalkeeper has to be disappointed leaving his front post unguarded. 5 minutes later, Vimal gets sent off and from then on it’s attack v defence. Even when we had the ball, we attempted to keep hold of it rather than go for goal. In one instance, down on the right wing, we had 4 or 5 chances to cross it but played keepball. We had to protect what we had.

The 10 who were left (McGoldrick soon hauled for Kelly) were heroic in their defence. I haven’t got a bad word to say about any of them. Even Earl*. (Actually, we looked better defending with 10 than we have previously with 11). Earl and Shep in the middle of defence cleared everything. Ogbeta and Bland/Watson were solid out wide and the midfield (and DKD) were always moving, but in shape. (Coach Conor!?) And for half an hour I thought we were gonna make it. And then McAtee comes on.

*Earl was brilliant. But he DID let their guy have a free header which hit the post at 1-0.

Of all the people. Listen, Trotters, if you don’t rate him, I’ll have him back. He’s not only on their bench, he’s the FOURTH to come off it. I’m sorry, but if McAtee is your 4th pick off your bench in THIS division, you have to be heading for 100 points or more. He is CLASS. (Are you not using him right? Awww, what a pity.) But needless to say, he comes on and scores an 86th minute equaliser, cleverly deflecting a header from a corner. It had to be. (And 86 wasn’t that late; there were an extra 8 mins of injury time.) The Trotters nearly snatch it too, but Cooper makes a triffic save. One day he’ll keep a clean sheet. Mind, McAtee then missed an easy header late on. He’s s*** he is.

An honourable draw.

Onwards and upwards!

*** Vickers. Some tights turns when surrounded by players and energy in abundance.
** Connell. Outstanding 1st half and set up the goal.
* Ogbata. Some outstanding runs and crosses, and generally well-defended.

Official MOTM: McGoldrick

Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Connell 2. Vickers 3. Ogbata

Despatches:
The crowd. About 2,000 Reds fans down on our last home league game, versus Burton Albion. Are Bolton less glamorous than Burton? Was it having 3 home games in 8 days? Or the fact you could get in for 15 quid v the Brewers and it was 27 today to see some Trotters? It’s a complicated game, matchday pricing. I suspect the ST uptake is a grand or 2 down on last season, so the club has to do a delicate balancing act between tempting out matchday fans as against satisfying ST holders. There has to be value in having a ST (beyond priority for away ticket sales). Personally, as much as I know I’ll miss the odd home game this season, I know that if I had to pay 27 quid to watch a 3rd division game at Oakwell, I’m not coming.

I also have a new favourite phrase. ‘We woulda lost that last season.’ By my reckoning, I’ve heard or read that every game thus far. I’d hate to point out we actually BEAT Bolton Wanderers 4-1 at home last season, as pathetic a side as we were. I mean, I’m just not that guy...right?

Drink du jour: Lightbulb pale ale at Spiral.

Away: 3,147 (13.167)

The Damage:
c.£10 petrol
= c.£10

Still no shirts in, and petrol costs rose as an accident in Holmfirth meant I had a very scenic alternative route via Holme Moss and Woodhead pass. Woodhead Reservoir was EMPTY. I don’t mean low, it was empty. Is it too early to panic? WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!