Report: Ramsbottom United 1-2 Bolton XI

A youthful Bolton Wanderers XI side despatched Ramsbottom United 2-1 at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night.

Captain Chris Cvetko fired the Whites ahead in their final pre-season fixture early on from the penalty spot, before Will Abbotts doubled their lead soon after.

Ramsbottom pulled one back with a penalty of their own shortly before the interval through Grant Spencer, but Bolton held on to clinch victory.

Led by Under-18s head coach David Lee, Bolton Wanderers fielded a much-changed side from the team that beat Southport on Saturday.

Chris Cvetko, Tyler Garratt and Solomon all came into the starting XI having come off the bench at the weekend, while there was also a start in goal for Harry Campbell, with the rest of the squad being made up of Under-18s players.

Starting the game in explosive fashion, Bolton Wanderers took an early lead through Chris Cvetko when they were awarded a penalty in the 6th minute.

Stepping up to take the kick, the Whites captain coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, sending goalkeeper Grant Shenton the wrong way to open the scoring.

Bolton doubled their lead with their next attack after Will Abbotts broke free down the left-hand side.

Entering the penalty-area, the forward caught out Shenton from a narrow angle as he fired powerfully at the near post, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Both scorers went close to netting second goals as Cvetko curled a swerving 25-yard free-kick narrowly over the bar, before Abbotts volley wide after running onto Enock Likoy-Elumba’s flick.

Abbotts went close again just before the break following good work down the left from Tyler Garratt, but was unable to replicate his earlier goal as Shenton this time came out on top at the near post.

However, at the other end Ramsbottom halved the deficit with their very next attack courtesy of an attack of their own, Grant Spencer sending Harry Campbell the wrong way to give the hosts hope heading in at the break following a one-sided half.

With goal action lacking following the interval as a number of substitutions for either side interrupted the flow of the game, Campbell had to be alert to deny Dominic McHale early in the second half.

Substitute Luke Griffiths twice tried his luck for the Trotters from range, but was unfortunate to see both efforts fly over the crossbar.

Alex Honeyball stung Shenton’s gloves with a late drive from distance, but it was to be a rare shot on target for either side in the second half as Wanderers clinched a 2-1 victory.

Bolton: Campbell, Brockbank, Wassi, Honeyball, Kale, Cvetko, Solomon, Garratt, Likoy-Elumba, Abbotts, McKenna.

Unused substitutes: Jaaskelainen.