Poulton FC Kicks Off Pre-Season with Convincing Win Over Bolton Rangers FC

In our first friendly of pre-season, Poulton FC emerged victorious with a 4-2 win against Bolton Rangers at Woodacre Hall on Thursday, July 4th, 2024. This match marked the beginning of our preparations for the upcoming season in the premier division of the West Lancashire League, while Bolton Rangers start their journey in the Lancashire Amateur League.

The game started brightly for Poulton FC, with Callum Dickinson opening the scoring in the 11th minute. However, Bolton Rangers responded in the 16th minute to level the contest. A long punt by the Bolton goalkeeper was lost in the sun by the Poulton defence and keeper before settling in the goal.

Poulton FC continued to dominate possession and press forward and were rewarded in the 22nd minute when Callum Dickinson struck again. The first half saw further goals as Mitch Cheetham extended our lead to 3-1 with a skilful run and well-taken goal in the 42nd minute, ensuring a comfortable advantage heading into halftime.

After the break, Poulton FC maintained their momentum, with Jack Williams adding a fourth goal to our tally, further solidifying our dominance in the match. Despite Bolton Rangers pulling one goal back later in the game, our disciplined defence and composed midfield play ensured that we held onto our lead until the final whistle.

The match served as an excellent opportunity for our team to integrate new tactics and players into our system, as well as gauge our fitness levels ahead of the demanding season ahead. Manager Dale Azzopardi expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance.

“That was a solid performance and although we were a little rusty we still managed to control the game. The raft of changes during the second half unsettled the balance of the team but there were some eye catching performances and the new additions have strengthened the squad”

Poulton FC will continue their preparations with upcoming fixtures as we strive for a successful season in the West Lancashire League.