ARCHIVE: He’s Havin’ A Crack... Yesss!!
Back in the days of White Love, there was another popular regular feature focusing on some spectacular Wanderers goals. Before the days of the internet and having any remote chance of finding these goals to watch over again, we had to just dig deep into our memories for those action replays. Here’s a few from the archives – maybe try and find them online if you can!!
Dusan Nikolic vs. Cardiff City (07.02.81)
Leigh White • Issue 31
Does anyone remember the goal I’m about to describe, surely a contender for “He’s Havin’ A Crack”? Bolton were entertaining Cardiff in a Division Two relegation battle in early February 1981. The visitors took an early lead but not for too long as Bolton then quickly gained the upper hand going ahead with two goals from John Thomas (during his first spell at the club). However, it was the third goal that stands out for me. It was scored by Yugoslav midfielder Dusan Nikolic (remember him?), not only was it the game breaker but a real cracker as well. Bolton were awarded a corner at the pre-Normid side of the Embankment, over it floated and Nikolic raced in to volley home from no more than six yards out. I swear the Cardiff keeper Healey ducked out of the way. If there hadn’t been any netting the ball would have ended up clearing the railway line such was the velocity of the shot. Phil Wilson scored another and Bolton ran out worthy 4-2 winners. But that Nikolic strike is the one that sticks in the mind even after all this time.
Fabian DeFreitas vs. Wimbledon (19.8.95)
Dick Smiley • Issue 12
He didn’t do a lot in his time at Bolton, but when he scored, it was usually special. The lanky striker had almost single-handedly put Bolton into the Premiership with his play-off goals against Reading, now it was up to him to ensure they stayed there. The Wanderers landed in the top flight in nightmare fashion at Wimbledon, going 2-0 down in the first quarter of an hour. However, Fab was on fire and should have been awarded a penalty in the first minute when he skipped past defenders only to be flattened as he stole into the box. The ref ignored the claims but then awarded Bolton a penalty later on, from which Tommo put the Whites back into the game. Then came the goal in question. A long flighted cross was heading harmlessly for the Wimbledon back post, when Fab slinked in, unmarked, to volley home the equaliser. It was a class strike, that 12 months earlier would have landed on the M25 rather than in the back of the net, but Fab had found his level... the Premiership. He absolutely loved scoring, and lapped up the forthcoming hero-worship from the huge travelling support in style. It didn’t last! Bolton lost 3-2, got rooted to the bottom of the league and then Fabian was jettisoned to Osasuna in Spain.
Alan Stubbs vs. West Brom (4.4.92)
Dick Smiley • Issue 24
I can’t remember exactly how many times Alan Stubbs managed to cajole his team-mates into letting him “have a crack” from deadball situations, but I do know that the majority of them failed to register on the scoresheet. Young Stubbsy based his free kick technique on power rather than wizadry. Whereas the likes of Kelly and Philliskirk would try to swerve, dip and curl their’s, Big Al would simply wind himself up and let fly with as much ‘umph’ behind the ball as physically possible. My memory allows me to recall two occasions when the ball found it’s way past the opposition wall and nested in the back of the net. The most famous of course was his goal on live TV in the F.A. Cup against Villa at Burnden. However, though this goal had greater meaning, the missile he lauchned from 35 yards out at the Hawthorns in the 2-2 draw in ‘92 was easily the best goal he ever scored in a BWFC shirt. The Baggies fans behind the net must have feared for their lives as the ball screamed towards them and nearly uprooted the woodwork. A memorable goal indeed.