Stevenage 1-2 Bolton

BoltonTillIDie wrote:We bossed the game until they scored at the end of the first half.  After that we were very nervy and seem to have our backs against the wall.  But we got the vital 3 points.  Next up we have another away game against Scunthorpe.  Hopefully another 3 points!

Agree with above, no danger what so ever unti they scored. Some good performances thought Fonz was off the pace slightly but we are in the mix now.

Report: Stevenage 1-2 Bolton Wanderers


Goals from Eoin Doyle and Ali Crawford made it three wins on the trot for Ian Evatt’s men as they beat Stevenage 2-1 at the Lamex Stadium.

The duo gave Wanderers an early two-goal lead before Tom Pett reduced the arrears before the break.

But Wanderers saw the game through to follow on from successive vixtories against Salford City and a midweek Papa John’s Trophy win against Newcastle United under 21s.

Ian Evatt named the same starting XI that defeated Salford City at Bolton Wanderers' last league outing.

Some good play on the nearside saw Nathan Delfouneso link up with Doyle. As the Irishman lost his marker he overhit his cross into the box which went out for a throw-in.

A fantastic finish to complete a great passage of play saw Doyle put Wanderers in front after 14 minutes. Peter Kioso’s cross into the box after receiving Delfouneso’s lay-off was met by Sarcevic, whose powerful shot was parried into the path of the Irishman by Jamie Cumming.

Doyle wasted no time in putting his side in front from close range with an acrobatic effort for his fourth goal of the campaign.

Cumming made a good save to keep out a powerful header from Alex Baptiste who rose to meet Crawford’s well-taken corner. The ball was then eventually cleared to safety by the Stevenage defence.

Sarcevic’s cross into the box was slightly overhit as Wanderers worked well to advance the ball up the field.

The hosts saw a whipped in effort from Arthur Read cleared by Ricardo Almeida Santos for a corner, but Wanderers broke at pace up field to grab their deserved second through Crawford’s first of the campaign.

And what an assured finish it was. Gethin Jones’ measured pass found the Scot on the edge of the box and his astute first time low finish gave Cumming no chance from 15 yards.

Tom Pett pulled a goal back just before the break with a smart finish beyond Gilks after latching onto a cross from the right hand side.

Doyle wasn’t too far away from grabbing his second after some positive play over on the far side. Baptiste put the ball into the penalty area, but the striker wasn’t able to find a way past Cumming who got down to gather the ball.

Delfouneso held on to the ball after running into the channels before teeing up Sarcevic. The Wanderers’ captain’s deep cross just about evaded Doyle at the far post.

Matt Gilks got down well to keep out substitute Danny Newton shortly afterwards, with the forward looking to ask an immediate question of the Wanderers defence.

Some excellent counter attacking play, brought about another great chance for Wanderers with Sarcevic setting up Doyle, whose shot was charged down.

Jones’ follow-up shot was then deflected for a corner as Wanderers tried to capitalise on their attacking momentum.

Cumming made a terrifc save diving to his right to keep out Jones’ effort after the wing-back met Kioso’s low cross.

Gilks made a splendid save at full stretch to keep out a curling effort from Pett after Stevenage pressed forward in search of an equaliser.

Evatt made his first change after 76 minutes with Shaun Miller coming on for Delfouneso. Lloyd Isgrove came on two minutes later for goalscorer Crawford.

The hosts won a free-kick in a dangerous area after Delaney felled Elliott List. The set-play was well defended by Wanderers as the game edged towards full-time.

A superb breakaway led by Miller should have seen Doyle put the result beyond doubt but the striker’s left footed effort was tame.

But Wanderers saw the game through and picked up their successive victory.


Teams:

Stevenage: Cumming, Coker (List 81), Cuthbert, Carter, (Marsh 66), Hutton, Iontton, Read (Akinwande 81), Smith, Marshall, Pett, Oteh.

Subs Not Used: Johnson, Vincelot, Prosser,  Newton.


Bolton Wanderers: Gilks, Jones, Almeida Santos, Delaney, Delfouneso (Miller 76), Doyle, Sarcevic, Crawford (Isgrove 78), Tutte, Baptiste, Kioso.

Subs Not Used: Crellin, Comley, Mascoll, Greenidge, Darcy.

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Boggersbelief wrote:Promotion is back on. Only see us going from strength to strength now after a very slow start

Only one thing to say... "Crellin!"  Poor kid will likely never recover from being shell shocked this season.

God knows why Evatt insisted on making Crellin our first choice keeper, yes he has decent pedigree but it’s quite obvious that he isn’t ready to command a starting spot and that would’ve been evident in training, surely!

The goals.

Terrific save from Gilks towards the end.

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Another decent showing.  Looked like a good hiding was on before they scored.
Not sure I'm a big fan of trying to waste time in the corner with 7 minutes on the clock but teams seem to do it.
Otherwise nowt to complain about....on to the next game.

Good performance but we did make hard work of it second half and was hanging on at times. The good thing is we didn't buckle second half bit we could have done with a third to make it easier.

I thought the defence did well and Santos looks great now, it's amazing how much he has improved. Delaney looks good as well and even Baptiste is looking better. The change in keeper has obviously improved us and Gilks pulled off a fantastic save near the end.

Yes, I'm really impressed with Gilks, especially his control of the defence in front of him.
 He really sees the whole picture, he is not just a shot stopper. It's great to see him barking out orders to the other players.  He has made a massive difference to the team, let's hope he stays fit for the whole season.