Bowland Struggle To Late Win In Battle Against Grad FC

Bowland FC returned to winning ways in Division 3, with a narrow 2-1 victory at home to Graduate College FC, with goals from Lawrence Hopper and a late strike from Ross Stogdell getting the win against a side yet to take their first points of the season

A scrappy affair nearly got off too the perfect start as captain Jacob Austin rose highest from a corner, narrowly heading the ball over the bar, but it was the hosts who took the lead, as James Rist burst forward from midfield, winning a number of 50/50s, before darting down the line, pulling the ball back for Loz to fire home from a few yards out

This usually means Bowland would go onto score a good few more goals, however a rare mistake at the back from Kayden Parish saw Grad get in behind, firing a shot at Reuben, whose save only saw the rebound get slotted home

Despite Max Tovell hitting the woodwork late on in the half, the sides went in level at half time

A scrappy half then followed, with Bowland changing up the system in an attempt to get back in front, and finally it paid off, with Ross Stodgell bursting forward from midfield, getting the ball from Raymond, before rolling into in the back of the net, making it 2-1 with just a matter of minutes to go

Moments later Bowland thought they’d made it 3-1 but for a good save by the Grad keeper who hadn’t been tested enough by the Reds, but it would end 2-1 to Bowland, for who promotion is still mathematically possible, but with Fylde winning late at Pendle, the goal difference swing is going to have to be massive to turn it around and get promoted