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Guaranteed qualification for the next round of the Papa Johns Trophy and with a few goals to steady the nerves, Wanderers could hardly have asked much more from their night’s work against Leeds Under-21s.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Amadou Bakayoko and Kieran Sadlier dispelled the myth that Ian Evatt’s front line had forgotten where the net was altogether in recent weeks, ensuring not only progression in this particular competition but also a much happier vibe as they head to Accrington in League One this weekend.
They had to work for the result. And had Leeds’ skilful set of youngsters shown more of a clinical touch early on this might not have gone so swimmingly.
But in the end, Evatt will be happy that having made eight changes to the team frustrated by Barnsley, the goal blockage finally looks to have cleared.
Wanderers took a while to warm up in what was an unexpectedly open first half, with Leeds’ youngsters creating a couple of very presentable chances.
As early as the second minute a slip from Will Aimson allowed Mateo Joseph to drift in off the left and curl a shot narrowly wide of Joel Dixon’s goal.
This competition has been Dixon’s sole remit for the last couple of months, and it is fair to say he did not cover himself in glory last time out at Tranmere. His work in the first half was solid, however, starting with a swift dart off his line to clear danger in front of Joseph as another gap opened up in the middle of the defence.
Sean McGurk was next to take advantage, running in behind Jack Iredale, but Dixon was again impressively hard to beat, blocking the shot with his legs.
Aside from one clever run from Kyle Dempsey, Bolton has not shown much in the way of attacking for the opening 20 minutes. Another clearance in front of goal from Gethin Jones, performed flat on his back, hinted at things were not exactly going according to plan.
Thankfully, a pivotal moment was not far away. And, my, how we have missed those scampering touchline runs from Lloyd Isgrove, a real winger in wing-back’s clothing. Best of all, Bodvarsson made a good connection with his low cross, sending the ball bouncing off the inside of the post and into the net for Bolton’s first goal since the Icelander had been gifted one at the end of the Lincoln City game 17 days earlier.
That settled Wanderers down somewhat, and they suddenly started to play the ball around with more purpose.
Bodvarsson’s right-wing cross was sliced up in the air by Morten Spencer and then blasted over the bar by Declan John, then Isgrove and Elias Kachunga linked superbly on the same side to manufacture a chance for Josh Sheehan – in for his first home start in nearly a year – which was pushed aside by Robles at his near post.
McGurk wasted another chance to put Leeds on the board when he was played through by Alfie McAlmont, the Premier League babes showing some lovely technical touches in everything but their finishing to that point.
Wanderers might have taken a two-goal lead into the break but for a goal-line clearance from Kris Moore, who got back to help his keeper after a panicked clearance landed at Sheehan’s feet 30 yards from goal.
Dempsey then broke through again, forcing Robles into a brave stop at his feet. The ball looped up, won by Bodvarsson in the air, but his header only managed to bounce off the crossbar before being hooked away by James Debayo.
Kieran Lee was sent on at half time for Sheehan, who had shown no visible signs of injury. Wanderers continued to push forward and it was Lee who combined to Jones on the right to present a good chance for Bodvarsson just after the break, headed just over the bar.
Still missing the security of that second goal, Wanderers’ rejigged defence started to leave some gaps again at the back. Dixon had to make a smart stop from McGurk after he had turned neatly, and Jones blocked a shot on the line from £5m ex-Manchester City midfielder Darko Gyabi.
They also lost Bodvarsson after he was crudely brought down on the edge of the box, the Icelander able to walk off the pitch but doing so with an uncomfortable limp.
Evatt made four more changes with Saturday and Accrington in mind, including the introduction of Liverpool loan pair Conor Bradley and Owen Beck. One of those taken off, John, produced a decidedly spiky reaction and one which was noticed by those huddled together in the Nat Lofthouse Stand facing the tunnels.
The Bolton manager will be pleased with how his subs influenced the game, however, and particularly the Anfield best mates Beck and Bradley.
The latter wasted a great chance to square the ball for fellow sub Bakayoko after running into clear space on the left. A few minutes later, Bradley would produce a perfect cross for the Sierra Leone international – but the finishing touch was lacking, Robles able to block his effort from close range.
Would this be another night where we were left talking about missed chances and profligate strikers? Well, not this time.
Bradley was a danger from the moment he stepped on to the pitch and after bringing a good save out of Robles, the rebound dropped nicely for Bakayoko to make doubly sure he hit the back of the net this time.
Young Leeds’ spirit had finally been dampened, and Bolton might have helped themselves to a couple more through Beck and Iredale before Sadlier finally skipped through on Bakayoko’s pass to complete the night in style.
So often on nights like this managers hope to emerge with something new to think about, and Sadlier’s unique skillset as a central striker, along with Dempsey’s busy shift in the number 10 role were probably the two take-homes of a straightforward night at the UniBol. At least in the end.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Guaranteed qualification for the next round of the Papa Johns Trophy and with a few goals to steady the nerves, Wanderers could hardly have asked much more from their night’s work against Leeds Under-21s.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Amadou Bakayoko and Kieran Sadlier dispelled the myth that Ian Evatt’s front line had forgotten where the net was altogether in recent weeks, ensuring not only progression in this particular competition but also a much happier vibe as they head to Accrington in League One this weekend.
They had to work for the result. And had Leeds’ skilful set of youngsters shown more of a clinical touch early on this might not have gone so swimmingly.
But in the end, Evatt will be happy that having made eight changes to the team frustrated by Barnsley, the goal blockage finally looks to have cleared.
Wanderers took a while to warm up in what was an unexpectedly open first half, with Leeds’ youngsters creating a couple of very presentable chances.
As early as the second minute a slip from Will Aimson allowed Mateo Joseph to drift in off the left and curl a shot narrowly wide of Joel Dixon’s goal.
This competition has been Dixon’s sole remit for the last couple of months, and it is fair to say he did not cover himself in glory last time out at Tranmere. His work in the first half was solid, however, starting with a swift dart off his line to clear danger in front of Joseph as another gap opened up in the middle of the defence.
Sean McGurk was next to take advantage, running in behind Jack Iredale, but Dixon was again impressively hard to beat, blocking the shot with his legs.
Aside from one clever run from Kyle Dempsey, Bolton has not shown much in the way of attacking for the opening 20 minutes. Another clearance in front of goal from Gethin Jones, performed flat on his back, hinted at things were not exactly going according to plan.
Thankfully, a pivotal moment was not far away. And, my, how we have missed those scampering touchline runs from Lloyd Isgrove, a real winger in wing-back’s clothing. Best of all, Bodvarsson made a good connection with his low cross, sending the ball bouncing off the inside of the post and into the net for Bolton’s first goal since the Icelander had been gifted one at the end of the Lincoln City game 17 days earlier.
That settled Wanderers down somewhat, and they suddenly started to play the ball around with more purpose.
Bodvarsson’s right-wing cross was sliced up in the air by Morten Spencer and then blasted over the bar by Declan John, then Isgrove and Elias Kachunga linked superbly on the same side to manufacture a chance for Josh Sheehan – in for his first home start in nearly a year – which was pushed aside by Robles at his near post.
McGurk wasted another chance to put Leeds on the board when he was played through by Alfie McAlmont, the Premier League babes showing some lovely technical touches in everything but their finishing to that point.
Wanderers might have taken a two-goal lead into the break but for a goal-line clearance from Kris Moore, who got back to help his keeper after a panicked clearance landed at Sheehan’s feet 30 yards from goal.
Dempsey then broke through again, forcing Robles into a brave stop at his feet. The ball looped up, won by Bodvarsson in the air, but his header only managed to bounce off the crossbar before being hooked away by James Debayo.
Kieran Lee was sent on at half time for Sheehan, who had shown no visible signs of injury. Wanderers continued to push forward and it was Lee who combined to Jones on the right to present a good chance for Bodvarsson just after the break, headed just over the bar.
Still missing the security of that second goal, Wanderers’ rejigged defence started to leave some gaps again at the back. Dixon had to make a smart stop from McGurk after he had turned neatly, and Jones blocked a shot on the line from £5m ex-Manchester City midfielder Darko Gyabi.
They also lost Bodvarsson after he was crudely brought down on the edge of the box, the Icelander able to walk off the pitch but doing so with an uncomfortable limp.
Evatt made four more changes with Saturday and Accrington in mind, including the introduction of Liverpool loan pair Conor Bradley and Owen Beck. One of those taken off, John, produced a decidedly spiky reaction and one which was noticed by those huddled together in the Nat Lofthouse Stand facing the tunnels.
The Bolton manager will be pleased with how his subs influenced the game, however, and particularly the Anfield best mates Beck and Bradley.
The latter wasted a great chance to square the ball for fellow sub Bakayoko after running into clear space on the left. A few minutes later, Bradley would produce a perfect cross for the Sierra Leone international – but the finishing touch was lacking, Robles able to block his effort from close range.
Would this be another night where we were left talking about missed chances and profligate strikers? Well, not this time.
Bradley was a danger from the moment he stepped on to the pitch and after bringing a good save out of Robles, the rebound dropped nicely for Bakayoko to make doubly sure he hit the back of the net this time.
Young Leeds’ spirit had finally been dampened, and Bolton might have helped themselves to a couple more through Beck and Iredale before Sadlier finally skipped through on Bakayoko’s pass to complete the night in style.
So often on nights like this managers hope to emerge with something new to think about, and Sadlier’s unique skillset as a central striker, along with Dempsey’s busy shift in the number 10 role were probably the two take-homes of a straightforward night at the UniBol. At least in the end.
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