Finally Bolton bagged 3 points, here’s how they managed to do it
Wanderers had no excuses going into the Wolves game. Everyone was fresh coming off the international break, and Neil Lennon had two weeks to teach our attackers how to score. A game against Wolves always has a bit of bite to it, this game was much the same, though that was mostly down to a collective anger at the referee more than anything.
Wanderers ran out 2-1 winners, in a relatively comfortable performance but for the final 15 minutes. Goals from Liam Feeney and Zach Clough secured the points for Bolton despite a Benik Afobe halving the deficit in the 2nd half.
After taking to my seat, a few thoughts ran through my mind. Firstly, the new exciting up “big” screen really isn’t big enough. Then, I started doubting whether I`d be hungry enough at half time for a pie (thankfully I was able to force one down), but I did feel confident about the game, and was excited to see Derik for the first time.
Wanderers were superior early on, Feeney had a chance early, though his goal was the first clear chance of the game. After a flick on from Madine, Feeney was able to shake off his man and hit a volley on the swivel neatly into the corner.
Wanderers remained the better side throughout the first half, with Wolves` only chances coming from corners.
Late in the half, Silva took the ball forwards on the left flank, before ducking inside. Just as a fan behind me moaned at him for cutting inside too often, he waltzed into the penalty area, drawing a clear foul.
Clough stood up to take the penalty, it was an important moment for him. His season hasn’t lived up to the hype of last season, and a miss here could ruin his confidence. Martinez, on loan from Arsenal, guessed the right way but thankfully couldn’t get to the shot. Clough looked relieved, as did I as we went both headed inside for half time.
Me with my pie, the boys attacking my way, the second half kicked off. The football was not the same quality but we were holding our own. After all, we didn’t need to dazzle, just survive the next 45 minutes.
A few minutes in, Danns went off with concussion, leaving home fans delighted to see Josh Vela perform admirably getting a good 40 minutes under his belt.
All of a sudden, after a tense 20 minutes that raced by, Le Fondre and Prince both went down. Initially I thought Prince won the foul, it seemed like it was a 50-50, however having seen the replay, I reluctantly accepted it was clumsy from Prince. Afobe, not Le Fondre, sent Amos the wrong way. 2-1, game on.
Unlike the first half, Wolves did have some substance to their game, but it was fairly even after the 3rd goal. Both sets of fans became increasingly frustrated at the referee. Referee Duncan notably gave Madine a caution for a harmless foul on the halfway line, before seeing Wellington Silva chopped down after tearing Wolves` right side apart all game, only for the away player to escape without punishment for his assault.
Nevertheless Wanderers battled on. Clough, rather than Madine who was on a yellow, departed looking a little dejected.
Heskey on.
His presence was reassuring, he looked strong and remarkably sharp for a man old enough to be my dad. He`s certainly a better footballer than my dad though, he was a nuisance for the Wolves centre backs, and found himself in a couple of great positions thanks to some fluid Jack Wilshere type runs from Mark Davies. Sadly, Emile Ivanhoe couldn’t convert in the one on one situation. He could have slotted beneath the keeper or lifted the ball over him, instead he found the middle area, leaving a fairly easy save for the onrushing Martinez. I`d love to see Heskey start on Tuesday night.
Wolves had a pair of unbearably close shaves but failed to beat the unflappable Amos. Prince tried his best to set up a Wolves goal after a misplaced pass at the back, but the chance was squandered. Madine too had a glorious chance after pull back from Davies that followed another quality weave in and out, but his effort went high and wide from 10 yards.
More nervous minutes passed and Madine found himself through on goal again after a misjudged defensive header, but didn’t have the composure to hit the target.
Thankfully that was about it, the battle of the Wanderers was ours. We now edge the head to head record between the two sides, 55 wins to 54.
Derik had a faultless debut, Prince mixed brilliance with a couple of heads in hands moments. Mark Davies was the stand out man, while Silva had me off my seat more than any other player. Moxey and Feeney gave a pair of good performances, but I`m looking forward to seeing Pisano introduced on the right side of our defence.
There were several talking points after the game, but it is only the three added to Wanderers` tally that matters.