Bolton 2-3 Crewe FA Cup

Full time and Wanderers exit the FA Cup at the first round stage for the second successive season.
Some of that goalkeeping/defending has to be seen to be believed. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

— Marc Iles (@MarcIles) [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

We were outclassed at home by Crewe for most of the first half, but that's ok they are in a higher division so no real disgrace. Thought we had some good spells second half but if your scoring two at home you should be winning, once again the keeper was at fault (twice) or was he?  i now blame the manager it is blatantly obvious that this kid is not ready he as had chance after chance, anyone who thinks Alexander is the answer is just going to see two keepers eventually in the same mental state because he also is not ready.

Experienced keeper is the only way out,so either Gilks till January or sign someone out of contract if allowed.

If he plays against Salford our chances are almost zero.

It’s unfair on Crellin as much as anything else now, he’s a young kid and his confidence must be shot. Has to be a move made now.

Evatt should have taken the opportunity to get Gilks match fit.

Today is another example of why Evans should be on his way.

Once again he's sent out a keeper who is devoid of any confidence and it's cost us a place in the next round.

What is the manager trying to prove? That he's the boss and he's right? How any more matches will the keeper cost us before Evans makes a change? It's a fucking disgrace that it's got this far.

And fuck me, some of the defending this afternoon was right up there with some of the worst ever witnessed at The Reebok. It's an absolute shambles. I'd sack the fucking lot of 'em...players, manager, & coaching staff. They don't deserve to be at BWFC.

T.R.O.Y. wrote:It’s unfair on Crellin as much as anything else now, he’s a young kid and his confidence must be shot. Has to be a move made now.

Young kid? He's twenty for heaven's sake. Same age as Eddie Hopkinson when he established himself in the top tier. 

The Crellin deal never looked promising tbh but if he hasn't got it.

Match Report: Bolton Wanderers 2 - 3 Crewe Alexandra

Bolton Wanderers bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup after suffering a narrow defeat against Sky Bet League One opponents Crewe Alexandra.
Nathan Delfouneso got both Wanderers’ goals in the second half after Mickael Mandron put the visitors in front inside the first half. Further goals from Oli Finney and Charlie Kirk saw the Railwaymen home.

Ian Evatt made one change from the side that drew 1-1 in midweek against Mansfield Town with Liam Gordon coming in for the injured Harry Brockbank at wing-back as the Wanderers head coach named a strong line-up for the cup tie.

The visitors looked to test Billy Crellin straight away with the Wanderers keeper getting hold of Crewe captain Perry Ng’s effort.

Oli Finney played in a good ball to striker Charlie Kirk but, under pressure from the Wanderers defence, he hit the ball low into the side-netting.

Ryan Wintle’s effort was tipped onto the top of the cross bar by Crellin after letting fly from 25 yards as the visitors looked to capitalise on their bright start.

Delaney made a vital block just in front of his own goal line to deny Mikael Mandron after Harry Pickering found the Frenchman.

Pickering and Mandron linked up again as the full-back rounded Baptiste to put in a cross for the frontman, who wasn’t able to connect the the low centre.

Antoni Sarcevic brought about Wanderers’ first chance after Delfouneso beat the offside trap to pass back to Ryan Delaney. The Irishman took a deft touch to set up the Wanderers captain, whose low drive from distance went out for a goalkick.

The visitors took the lead moment later through Mandron who steered home from close range after receiving a cross from Ng.

Mandron hit a tame low shot at Crellin after Wanderers lost possession in a dangerous area.

Wanderers equalised on 37 minutes courtesy of a great strike by Delfouneso, who spun, lost his marker and curled in a left footer past Will Jaaskelainen into the top corner. Crawford got another assist in the build up to the goal after some progressive by Wanderers which involved 11 passes.

No changes were made by either side during the break.

It was an encouraging start to the second-half by Wanderers who were looking to press forward at every opportunity.

Crewe began to build some momentum and a first-time volley from Finney with the outside of his foot went narrowly wide.

Shaun Miller came on for Darcy just after the hour mark as Evatt made his first change of the afternoon.

Delaney and Sarcevic combined well the thwart Mandron as the visitors looked to get their noses back in front.

Kioso put in a great cross into the box which was cleared behind by Ng.

From the resulting corner, the visitors launched a swift counter attack which ended when Gordon put in a very good block to deny Kirk.

Wanderers made their second subsitution after 68 minutes when Lloyd Isgrove came on for Crawford.

Alex regained their lead when Finney drove home from a narrow angle after beating White in the box.

Crewe got their third through Kirk who stabbed home from close range.

Wanderers earned themselves a lifeline just a couple of mniutes later when Delfouneso grabbed his second of the afternoon, poking home from close range after being found by Sarcevic.

Kioso headed over whilst under pressure after leaping to reach Sarcevic’s deep cross as Wanderers looked to get back on level terms.

But Wanderers were unable to find an equaliser as they were knocked out of the competition.

Teams:

Bolton Wanderers: Crellin, Gordon, Almeida Santos, Delaney, Delfouneso, Sarcevic (C), Crawford (Isgrove 68), White (Tutte 76), Darcy (Miller 61), Baptiste, Kioso

Subs Not Used: Comley, Hickman, Mascoll, Greenidge.

Crewe Alexandra: Jaaskelainen, Ng (C), Pickering, Wintle, Powell, Lowery, Kirk, Mandron, Finney (Ainley 70), Offord, Beckles

Subs Not Used: Richards (GK), Nolan, Zanzala, Johnson, Adebisi

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Ten Bobsworth wrote:
Young kid? He's twenty for heaven's sake. Same age as Eddie Hopkinson when he established himself in the top tier. 

The Crellin deal never looked promising tbh but if he hasn't got it.

He’s never played regular first team football, he’s inexperienced and his confidence is clearly taking a battering. 

Saying ‘well Hopkinson did it’ is a thick as pig shit comment, players and people develop at different rates. 

You can go back to pretending not to see my posts if that’s the level of intelligence you’re bringing to the table.

Didn't watch it but sounds like business as per usual.

Re: the goal keeping situation - imagine Crelin gets in injury 10 minutes into a game and has to come off. Now every meaningful shot will end up in the back of the net - I'm baffled to be honest.
Is there another team in any of the four divisions that doesn't name a backup keeper. 

As our one and only Megson stated - us fans no nowt.