BWFC 24

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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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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Bolton Wanderers 3 — 2 Everton

First Prem Home Win of the Season

• Sunday, October 25, 2009
• Venue: The Reebok Stadium
• Attendance: 21,547
• Referee: Phil Dowd

• Chung-Yong Lee [16]
• Gary Cahill [27]
• Kevin Davies [30]
• Louis Saha [32]
• Marouane Fellaini [55]
• Gary Cahill [57]
• Jlloyd Samuel [61]
• Marouane Fellaini [63]
• Ivan Klasnic [86]

The Wanderers’ great start was evened out by the visitors but persistence earned Bolton a late goal and their first three points to be won at The Reebok since April.

The win was a perfect way for Gary Megson to celebrate his second anniversary in charge at The Reebok Stadium and three of his signing provided the goals and two more providing assists.

Bolton made a terrific start instantly applying pressure to Everton’s defence and nearly scored just a couple minutes into the game but Tamir Cohen’s header from Jlloyd Samuel’s superb cross went just wide. Two minutes later Kevin Davies did the same with Matthew Taylor’s free kick delivery.

While Bolton dominated in the early stages of the match Everton managed to test Bolton’s defence with Sam Ricketts blocking Louis Saha shot. The resulting corner showed Bolton’s ongoing problems defending set–pieces as Joao Alves Jo gets a clear header that fortuitously went wide.

Sam Ricketts was also instrumental in Bolton’s first goal. He strode down the right wing, evading Tony Hibbert with a skilful cross into Everton’s penalty area where Chung–Yong Lee scored his first goal at The Reebok.
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BWFC 1 — 1 Tottenham Hotspur

Optimism Returns to The Reebok

• Saturday, October 3, 2009
• Venue: The Reebok Stadium
• Attendance: 21,305
• Referee: Mike Jones

• Ricardo Gardner [4]
• Tamir Cohen [32]
• Niko Kranjcar [34]
• Jermaine Jenas [35]
• Fabrice Muamba [59]
• Kevin Davies [69]
• Vedran Corluka [73]

Bolton Wanderers went ahead twice but a determined Tottenham Hotspurs fought back to earn a point in what was a highly entertaining match.

Bolton went ahead early on when Ricardo Garnder slammed the ball into the roof of the net after Spurs goalkeeper, Carlo Cudicini, parried Chung–Yong’s shot. The early goal seemed to stun Tottenham Hotspur who rarely enjoyed meaningful possession in the first half. All too often Tottenham wasted their possession with inconsequential crosses and half–hearted shots.

Ricardo Gardner almost scored a second with a carefully placed shot but his curled effort was blocked.

Boos were heard at The Reebok Stadium again but they were not aimed at Gary Megson. Instead they were saved for Wilson Palacios who fell to the floor following a firm but fair tackle by Tamir Cohen. Wilson’s ensuing writhing earned Tamir a yellow card, upon which Palacios made a rapid recovery.

Tottenham’s first half equaliser seemed to come from nowhere. A long and high pass by the previously poleaxed Palacios was met by a tightly marked Peter Crouch who nodded the ball into Niko Kranjcar’s path, who duly strode in to score.
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