PJT Report: Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Leeds United U21

PJT Report: Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Leeds United U21

Whites beaten in Papa John's Trophy clash.

Papa John’s Trophy

Bolton Wanderers 3 (Bodvarsson 14’, Bakayoko 78’, Sadlier 89’)

Leeds United U21 0


Bolton: Dixon (GK), Jones (C), Isgrove (Bradley 59’), Dempsey, Morley, Sheehan (Lee 45’), John (Beck 59’), Aimson, Iredale, Bodvarsson (Bakayoko 54’), Kachunga (Sadlier 61’). Subs not used: Johnston, Charles. 

Leeds: Robles (GK), Drameh, Spencer (Coleman 84’), Debayo, Moore, Gyabi, McCalmont (Snowdon 76’), Perkins (Miller 84’), McGurk (Dean 61’), Allen, Joseph (C). Subs not used: Christy (GK), Thomas, Buchan. 

 


Venue: University of Bolton Stadium

Attendance: 2,936 (622 away)


Referee: Peter Wright

Booked: Jones (Bolton) Perkins (Leeds)


Michael Skubala’s Leeds United Under-21s suffered their first defeat of the season in this Papa John’s Trophy Northern Group B encounter, going down to an experienced Sky Bet League One side in Bolton Wanderers. 

An entertaining first half got underway under the lights at the University of Bolton Stadium for the Trophy clash, in what would prove to be an opening 45 minutes full of chances at either end.

The first to go close was Mateo Joseph as he curled an effort just wide of the goal. Next up was Sean McGurk with another chance for Leeds when he raced through on goal, only to see Joel Dixon narrow the angle and deny his goal bound effort. 

Bolton opened the scoring though inside the opening 15 minutes, after Lloyd Isgrove’s run and cross from the right-hand-side was turned home by Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, striking low and powerfully in off the post. 

Skubala’s side were well in the game against their League One position and Charlie Allen tested Dixon again, but the ‘keeper came out top, just minutes after the restart - whilst Bolton had another chance which saw Kris Moore make a goal-saving block on the line to keep out Josh Sheehan’s effort. 

Playing his first game for the club, Joel Robles was then called into action down the other end. He was forced to make a solid save from Sheehan’s next strike, before then stopping Kyle Dempsey’s effort. From the rebound, Bodvarsson’s header came back off the crossbar. 

That was to be that before the interval in terms of major chances. The young Whites had played plenty of good football and were being roared on by a superb travelling support in Lancashire, but went in behind at the break. 

HALF TIME: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Leeds United U21

A flurry of changes saw the early exchanges of the second half become quite stop start. Bolton made five early substitutions in the match, whilst Skubala opted to bring Max Dean into the action, replacing McGurk as his side went in search of a leveller. 

After a first half full of chances in the match, the second half saw very little goalmouth action. The first real opening came after Leeds took a quick free-kick, which Sonny Perkins played into the box. From there, Darko Gyabi’s strike was well blocked as it looked to be finding the corner and Dean’s follow up flew over.

Into the final 15 minutes or so of the match, Bolton’s experience was beginning to show as they controlled the ball and slowed the game down. When going forward though, they remained dangerous and Robles was forced into another good save, denying Bakayoko.

However, the after the ‘keeper had once again been called into action to deny Conor Bradley’s strike, there was nothing he could do this time as Bakayoko followed up to slot home and double the lead for Bolton. 

The visitors continued to push forward and attempt to find a way back into the match in front of 622 travelling fans, who had been in fine voice throughout at the University of Bolton Stadium, but they were unable to find the back of the net. 

In the final few moments, the hosts made it three and confirmed the three points. Fresh off the bench, Kieran Sadlier raced through on goal and rounded Robles, before slotting the ball home. 

After a first defeat of the season across all competitions for the Under-21s, the Whites will now travel to face Crewe Alexandra in their final group match, with progression into the knock-out stages of the competition still within their grasp.  

FULL TIME: Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Leeds United U21

X