Bolton brush aside Chorley

Bolton eased to a 2-0 win over Unibond outfit Chorley FC thanks, to a penalty from Blerim Dzemaili and a sublime effort from new boy Riga Mustapha, who started for the time after his move from Levante.

The Wanderers put out a medium strength side with first team regulars Nicky Hunt, Ricardo Gardner, Abdoulaye Meite, Ali Al Habsi and Gavin McCann, mingling with fringe players Nathan Woolfe, Blerim Dzemaili, Chris Basham, Tamir Cohen and Temitope Obadeyi.

After a goalless first half in which Obadeyi, should have done better with two chances that were presented to him, Bolton took the lead, with Dzemaili converting a penalty after McCann had been brought down. It was a suitable reward for the Swiss international who worked tirelessly throughout the game.

The Whites wrapped up the victory with five minutes left as Mustapha, received a pass from Nathan Woolfe, who had been a thorn in the side of the home team in the second half, and curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area, giving the Chorley ‘keeper no chance.

Bolton now travel to Greece for games against Aris Thessaloniki and AEK Athens, to finish their preparation for the new season.