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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Chelsea 4 – 0 Bolton Wanderers

League Cup, Fourth Round

Chelsea Give Wanderers The Blues

• Tuesday, Ocotber 28, 2009
• Venue: Stamford Bridge
• Attendance: 41,538
• Referee: Andre Marriner

• Salomon Kalou [15]
• Florent Malouda [26]
• Deco [67]
• Didier Drogba [89]

It was never going to be easy for The Wanderers to get a result at Stamford Bridge but who would have known that it was going to so easy for Chelsea.

Bolton boss, Gary Megson, had made a few changes to the side that eventually beat Everton last Saturday. The most notable change was that Ali Al-Habsi was chosen over Jussi Jaaskelainen to face that could have been easily predicted as a barrage of shots. It is almost as Megson had already resigned to the fact that Bolton’s cup run would be halted.
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Manchester United 2 — 1 Bolton

Zat Knight Not a Beach Ball

• Saturday, October 17, 2009
• Venue: Old Trafford
• Attendance: 75,103
• Referee: Mark Clattenburg

• Zat Knight (og) [5]
• Antonio Valencia [33]
• Kevin Davies [48]
• Matthew Taylor [75]

An unfortunate start for Bolton’s trip to Old Trafford saw The Wanderers chasing for the rest of the afternoon.

Zat Knight deflected a rare Michael Owen header past Jussi Jaaskelainen to take United ahead after just five minutes. Zat Knight cannot be blamed really. If Owen’s header was on target then maybe Jussi would have had it covered, but it wasn’t and somehow Knight unknowingly put the ball in his own net. Nonetheless Bolton were loosing and seemed powerless to cope with frequent runs made by the likes of Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs.

Kevin Davies had a two clear chances to bring the scores level before United got their second. The most notable was a clear header created by rising above Rio Ferdinand to receive Sam Ricketts’ long pass. With only Van der Sar to beat Kevin Davies’ attempt failed to cause concern for the Dutch goalkeeper as it sailed wide. It should be noted that it was better than Owen’s headed effort but sadly there wasn’t a defender to fluke an equaliser.
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