Blues ran out 2-0 winners against the pre-season second favourites for the league to secure our ninth league win in just eleven games. And it was very comfortable for the majority of the game. In the first half, Bolton couldn’t get near Blues and looked a good couple of levels below us. Truthfully we could’ve and perhaps should’ve scored more goals. Nobody was more guilty of that than Alfie May who got himself into some great positions throughout the game, only to miss his chances.
But second half, Bolton woke up and played with an intensity that pushed Blues up our gears. Although we showed a different side to our game and dealt with it well, they still had a couple of good spells, creating a chance or two they could’ve and probably should’ve done better with.
Still, Blues were easily the deserved winners on the night. Tomoki Iwata took his early volley exceptionally well on his weak foot to put us ahead in the 3rd minute, latching on to a cleared cross floated in by Alfie May. It was just the start we needed, and really settled the nerves of those in the stands who’ve become used to seeing us go behind early doors. Today, we reversed that curse and took the early lead ourselves.
Emil Hansson, who left the pitch early in the previous game at the weekend, was forced off again in the 20th minute with an injury. He was replaced by Marc Leonard, and Blues swapped the personnel around. Anderson switched wings to the left hand side, filling in for Hansson. Willumsson played out on the right, and Leonard came on in the number 10 role.
It was a half of complete, total control. But it did lack clear chances. Blues were more than happy to keep the ball and move Bolton around whilst being a goal ahead.
Half time: Blues 1-0 Bolton (Iwata)
Bolton came out with a different energy in the second half as they tried to force their way back into the game, with a couple early strong challenges giving the Bolton faithful something to cheer about, instead of resorting to mentioning our neighbours’ scoreline. John McAtee was substituted on at half time and gave the visitors a lift with his energy.
Yet it was short lived, as Blues responded and ramped up the gears to create a couple of big chances.
First Alfie May found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper after controlling a fantastic ball from Christoph Klarer on the 48th minute. Alfie tried to take it round the keeper in a similar fashion to his goal against Orient, but Southwood kept his cool and got a palm to the ball to take the chance away.
And it would be Southwood producing a top save again to rescue Bolton for a second time on the 54th minute, getting down low quickly to deny a diving header from Ethan Laird, Iwata the provider this time, from the right hand side.
Between the 70th and 80th minute, Bolton continued to up their ante and put Blues under some real pressure. McAtee found himself in space on the left hand side of the box, but his effort was poor and wide of the mark. A few minutes later, he would find himself in space again in behind the Blues defence on the right hand side, this time forcing a smart stop from Ryan Allsop. And that’s as close as Bolton came, until the game was dead and buried.
Jay Stansfield came on as a substitute for Alfie May on the 65th minute, and after a late challenge on Anderson in the box in the 84th, picked up the ball for a spot kick. Bolton tried to delay and put him off, but he kept his cool and smashed his penalty home down the middle.
McAtee would find himself in another good position late on in added time, but dinked his shot just wide of the far post – the closest Bolton came to scoring.
Iwata and Stansfield both got on the scoresheet yet again to take all 3 points in another (mostly) dominant Blues performance.
Full time: Blues 2-0 Bolton (Iwata, Stansfield)
Ratings
Starting XI
Ryan Allsop: 7
Allsop didn't have much to do, but did his job when called upon to stop McAtee getting Bolton back into the game. He once again looked very comfortable with the ball at his feet and played his part well in our fantastic build-up play.
Ethan Laird: 7
Laird's first start back from injury pushed an unfortunate Taylor Gardner-Hickman to the bench, but justified his selection with a strong 60 minute performance. He made plenty of runs in behind the Bolton defence, and was unlucky to not score with his header that was well saved early in the second half.
Christoph Klarer: 8
I'm more than happy to admit my bias towards Klarer, who has very quickly become one of my favourite Blues players. He can do a bit of everything, and he showed that again tonight, producing some great passes and managing Bolton's frontline very well. His yellow does take him to 4 for the season, and with his love of a professional foul, I think we might be seeing Dion get a league start before too long.
Ben Davies: 7
Another very solid performance from Ben Davies, who's getting better with every game he plays in Royal Blue. He'll be another one harshly dropped once Bielik returns to fitness, but he's a more than capable backup that has slotted in very nicely to complement Klarer.
Alex Cochrane: 7
Consistency is a trait that runs throughout our squad, but no man defines the term more than Alex Cochrane. He played well yet again, I just wish his volley had nestled into the far corner. This man deserves a goal and a moment in the limelight.
Paik Seung-Ho: 9
Paik is a clear level above League One, and showed it again tonight, playing a pivotal role in our domination of the ball. His run past 2 or 3 Bolton defenders in the first half was fantastic and earned us a free kick in a good position, and he kept the ball remarkably well under pressure throughout the game, biting back when Bolton got more stuck in in the second half.
Tomoki Iwata: 9 - Man of the Match
And Paik's partner-in-crime Tomoki Iwata takes Man of the Match. Very tough to choose a winner again, everybody played well, but Iwata takes it after scoring another lovely goal on the volley and showing his class in central midfield.
Keshi Anderson: 8
Keshi was direct and dangerous throughout the game, despite not adding to his goal contribution tally. I was really impressed with him again, and he dealt with the change of wing comfortably, earning us a penalty in the last few minutes of the game.
Willum Þór Willumsson: 7
Willum didn't quite hit the heights of his weekend performance, but put out another decent display after being moved across to the right hand side early on following Hansson's injury. I felt that he could've done a little bit more when he picked up the ball around the edge of the box, but he still made plenty of runs and contributed positively to a great team performance.
Emil Hansson: 5
Emil unfortunately picked up another injury in the 20th minute and was forced off the field. He didn't impact the game too much in the limited time he was playing.
Alfie May: 6
I believe if strikers are getting themselves into good positions consistently, goals will come. Despite not getting on the scoresheet when he really should've, Alfie worked himself really hard, and his movement in possession caused the Bolton defence plenty of headaches. Better decision making could've seen him score at least one goal tonight in his 65 mins of game time.
Subs
Marc Leonard: 7
Although his early substitution onto the pitch was as a result of an injury to another player, I was really pleased Leonard got some minutes under his belt. Playing further up the pitch in the number 10 role, I thought he recycled possession really well and pressed with intensity throughout the game. I'd like to see a little more creativity from him, but he might need a run of games for that to click.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman: 6
Although unfortunate to lose his starting spot to the returning Ethan Laird, it's safe to say that decision was justified, with Laird having a much bigger impact in the final third than the man he replaced. TGH played okay, gave a silly foul away not long after coming on but did just fine afterwards.
Jay Stansfield: 8
Stanno returned to action off the bench after a short time out with a knock he picked up on international duty. He looked lively and full of energy, made good runs with and without the ball, and pressed with intensity. His work was rewarded with a penalty, which he composed himself well for, despite Bolton's delay tactics, and smashed home to secure the 3 points.
Ayumu Yokoyama: 6
Came on very late on in the game, showed good energy, and his trademark willingness to take on his man, but didn't have enough time to make too much of an impact.
Lyndon Dykes: 6
Same as his young Japanese teammate, Dykes came on with a few minutes to go and put himself about. I did enjoy watching him moving left and right to block the Bolton keeper's view when trying to set up his wall for Willumsson's late free kick, but again didn't have enough time to stamp his authority on the game.
