BWFC 24

Fulham 1 — 1 Bolton Wanderers

Wanderers fail to defend single goal lead

• Saturday, November 28, 2009
• Venue: Craven Cottage
• Attendance: 23,554
• Referee: Steve Bennett

• Kevin Davies [2!]
• Gretar Steinsson [23]
• Jonathan Greening [33]
• Ivan Klasnic [35]
• Ricardo Gardner [50]
• Gavin McCann [53]
• Jussi Jaaskelainen [64]
• Jlloyd Samuel [72]
• Damien Duff [75]

Bolton Wanderers desperately needed a win and a trip to Craven Cottage could have (should have) been a perfect opportunity to earn 3 valuable points.

Early signs of pressure which almost gave Fulham the lead were well defended — just. A prime example was Gretar Steinsson’s save off the line. I’m not even sure how he saved the point blank shot (I bet he’s not either) but nonetheless he made the save and that is what is important. Matt Taylor and Gavin McCann also defended well and are worthy of an honourable mention. (Come to think of it the whole squad deserve an honourable mention seeming they have to serve under the mismanagement of Gary Megson.)



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Bolton 0 — 2 Blackburn Rovers

Sam Ricketts Seals 3 Points for Rovers

• Sunday, November 22, 2009
• Venue: The Reebok Stadium
• Attendance: 21,777
• Referee: Mike Dean

• David Dunn [32]
• Matthew Taylor [42]
• David Dunn [45]
• Fabrice Muamba [45]
• Sam Ricketts (og) [73]
• Ivan Klasnic [80]

A distinctly mediocre first half gave the visitors the lead which in turn led to a lively second half in which more goals seemed inevitable.

With the beginnings of an unenviable run of defeats Bolton manager, Gary Megson, decided that a change of tactics would be enough to take on local rivals Blackburn Rovers with a 4-4-2 formation that saw Johan Elmander and Kevin Daives up front.

Sadly former Bolton player and manager, Sam Allardyce, was absent due to health concerns. Sam followed his doctor’s orders to take a break from the stresses of being BRFC’s boss and left Neil McDonald at the helm.

Bolton rarely put Blackburn under pressure during open play and Rovers’ goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, was only employed to gather lacklustre shots and wayward passes. Only Matt Taylor produced a couple of fine saves from Robinson. Matt also came close to scoring early on but could not find space to take a shot as Gavin McCann’s long pass fell awkwardly. Despite the defeat both Taylor and McCann were instrumental in giving the Reebok faithful hope.

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Aston Villa 5 — 1 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Suffer Heavy Defeat (Again)

• Saturday, November 7, 2009
• Venue: Villa Park
• Attendance: 38,101
• Referee: Mark Clattenburg

• Luke Young [5]
• Tamir Cohen [23]
• Gabriel Agbonlahor [43]
• Johan Elmander [45]
• Gary Cahill [45+2]
• John Carew [53]
• James Milner [72]
• Kevin Davies [74]
• Carlos Cuellar [75]
• Craig Gardner [88]
• Paul Robinson [90
  +2]

Looking a recent results against Aston Villa a trip to Villa Park was bound to be a tricky challenge. Bolton’s last two trips to Villa Park had ended in heavy defeats and The Wanderers had not won there since New Year’s Day 2003.

Sorry we cannot bring you a full match report for this match but here are highlights…

Full match report on the Bolton Wanderers official website
Full match report on Aston Villa’s official website

Bolton Wanderers 0 — 4 Chelsea

A Much Improved Bolton Suffer Heavy Defeat

• Tuesday, Ocotber 31, 2009
• Venue: The Reebok Stadium
• Attendance: 22,680
• Referee: Peter Walton

• Jlloyd Samuel [45+1]
• Frank Lampard [45+2]
• Paul Robinson [57]
• Deco [61]
• Paulo Ferreira [80]
• Zat Knight (og) [82]
• Didier Drogba [90+1]

It was going so well until the stroke of half–time, a clipped heel took Drogba down, Chelsea ahead and The Wanderers down to 10 men.

Jussi Jaaskelainen returned between the sticks having been rested during the midweek clash with Chelsea in the League Cup. Kevin Davies made his 500th appearance of his career while Chris Basham made his first start of the season.

Bolton made a lively start and Johan Elmander almost took The Wanderers ahead by heading Chung–Yong Lee’s corner goalward for Petr Cech to save comfortably. After this early chance Chelsea started to bombard The Wanderers’ net. Jussi Jaaskelainen was alert to the threat and made a series of great saves. Former Wanderer, Nicolas Anelka combined well with Didier Drogba to create a number of opportunities and generally pester Bolton’s back four.
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