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Jamie Thomas and George Newell on scoresheet as Wanderers suffer cup exit
IN BRIEF
Bolton Wanderers’ Development Squad suffered defeat for the first time this season as they were knocked out of the Lancashire FA Senior Cup by local-rivals Wigan Athletic.
The Whites had twice pegged back Wigan thanks to goals in each half from Jamie Thomas and George Newell to cancel out Louis Robles’ brace.
However, the Latics forward scored the winner late as Bolton exited the competition at the first round stage.
TEAM NEWS
Medo Kamara, Francesco Pisano, Liam Trotter and Tom Walker all started as Iain Brunskill named a strong side for Wanderers’ Lancashire FA Senior Cup clash with Wigan Athletic.
Elsewhere, Jamie Thomas was handed a starting berth in attack following his return from international duty while Harry Campbell returned in goal.
FIRST HALF
Taking part in their second match in four days, Wanderers started slowly at Robin Park and fell behind early on through Louis Robles ran onto Matty Hamilton’s chipped through-ball before rifling past Harry Campbell when one-on-one.
The Whites were fortunate not to fall further behind as Campbell kept out a Daniel O’Brien strike, before Sam Cosgrove failed to hit the target from close-range at the near post after being picked out by Robles’ low cross.
Bolton created their first major opening of the half just after the quarter-hour mark as Liam Trotter stole possession in midfield before racing into the area, only to be denied by Wigan goalkeeper Kellan Absalom at the near post.
The midfielder went close again moments later as he dribbled past numerous Latics defenders when make another solo-run into the area, only to power his shot narrowly over the crossbar.
At the other end, Grant Holt went close to doubling Wigan’s lead after controlling the ball on his chest before volleying wide.
The Trotters were level soon after after Bradley Bauress brought down Jamie Thomas in the penalty area.
Stepping up to take the spot-kick himself, the forward confidently powered the ball into the bottom left-hand corner to draw Wanderers back on level-terms.
However, Wigan were back in front shortly before the break as Holt dummied to shoot before cutting the ball back to Robles, allowing the forward to calmly slot home into the bottom corner from just inside the area.
SECOND HALF
Responding following the restart, Tom Walker curled a 30-yard free-kick narrowly over as the Whites pressed for an early equaliser.
Having seen O’Brien fire another chance wide for Wigan, Thomas almost netted his second of the game just before the hour-mark, only for his side-footed effort from the edge of the box to drift narrowly off-target.
Moments later, Medo Kamara burst forward as he embarked on a solo-run into the Latics area. However, he was unable to connect properly with his shot with his scuffed left-footed effort easy for Absalom to gather.
Channing Campbell-Young and Chris Cvetko were introduced to the action in place of Francesco Pisano and Trotter as Bolton brought on fresh legs to aid their bid for equaliser.
And they were rewarded almost immediately as George Newell took advantage of a poor Wigan clearance to poke home in the 73rd minute.
Fresh from scoring on his Under-21s debut against Cardiff City earlier in the week, 16-year-old Alex Samizadeh was brought on soon after and the forward almost made an immediate impact, only for Absalom to get down well to tip his goalbound effort away.
At the other end, Wigan substitute James Barrigan missed a great chance to fire the hosts back in front after running onto Hamilton's backheel, but could only drag his shot wide of goal.
However, Wigan did retake the lead soon after as Robles completed his hat-trick, beating two men as he cut in from the left before firing past Campbell from an acute angle.
Thomas almost levelled once more in stoppage-time but could only head over from a corner as the Trotters suffered an early Lancashire FA Senior Cup exit.
FULL TIME
TEAMS
Bolton: Campbell, Pisano (Campbell-Young 71), Garratt, Taylor, Maher, Medo (Samizadeh 75), Lussey, Trotter (Cvetko 71), Newell, Walker, Thomas.
Unused substitutes: Fitzsimons, Ceberio.
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