Dev Squad: Bolton 1-0 Man Utd

Kaiyne Woolery booked Bolton Wanderers’ place in the Manchester FA Senior Cup Final as his solitary strike saw the Whites defeat holders Manchester United at the County Ground.

Coming early in the second half, the forward raced onto Quade Taylor’s through-ball before expertly chipping goalkeeper Joel Pereira to fire Bolton ahead.

Ryan Sellers also hit the crossbar for the Trotters, who were rarely threatened defensively, as Woolery’s strike helped set up a final appearance against Manchester City.

 

Kaiyne Woolery and Hayden White were both handed starts following their return to Bolton Wanderers after the end of their respective loan stints with Notts County.

Meanwhile, Whites loanee Andy Kellett came up against his parent club as he was included in the Manchester United starting line-up

Starting brightly, Bolton Wanderers showed no fear against Manchester United as they took the game to the Barclays U21 Premier League leaders straight from kick-off. 

Having scored last week against West Bromwich Albion, Luke Woodland was unlucky not to make it two from two as he had the Whites first shot on goal early on, as Bolton created a number of opportunities inside the opening fifteen minutes.

Receiving the ball from captain Hayden White, Woodland powered into the area before trying his luck from an acute angle, only to see his shot across goal drift narrowly wide of the far post.

Ryan Sellers went even closer for the Trotters moments later after receiving the ball out on the left-hand side before cutting in.

Unleashing a thunderous, curling effort on goal from the edge of the area, which looked destined for the top corner, the defender was unfortunate to see his strike cannon back off the crossbar.

While United keeper Joel Pereira could not get close to Sellers’ effort, he produced a fine save to deny Wanderers an opening goal soon after as Kaiyne Woolery broke free.

Sprinting into the area, the forward looked to bend his strike beyond the keeper into the corner only to see Pereira get fingertips to his shot, successfully tipping the ball away.

James Ball was the next player to try his luck for the Whites, stepping up to take a 25-yard free-kick. However, the midfielder was unable to keep his effort down as his strike flew over the bar.

At the other end, Bolton loanee Andy Kellett missed a glorious chance to put United ahead against his parent club after being played in by Ashley Fletcher.

Running onto a through-ball inside the Trotters area, the wideman was unable to hit the target despite finding himself one-on-one, sidefooting his first-time effort harmlessly wide.

Harry Campbell produced a great save to deny United again from their very next attack, diving full-stretch to tip away Sean Goss’ curling free-kick.

Unable to live up to the pace of the end-to-end start, chances were limited as the half wore-on.

While White saw a diving header blocked on the half-hour mark before Georg Iliev fired the rebound wide, they were to be rare opportunities to open the scoring during the latter stages of the first half as the sides went in at the break with the scores goalless. 

United started the second half the better and almost took the lead within minutes of the restart, only for Rob Holding to scramble off his line at the near post following a corner.

The visitors threatened again from another corner soon after as the ball fell kindly to Reece James on the edge of Wanderers box, only for his to scuff his effort wide of goal.

And with the Red Devils unable to take advantage of their early chances, the Whites soon made them rue their missed opportunities by taking the lead through Woolery with their first clear-cut opportunity of the half.

Running onto a pin-point Quade Taylor through-ball, the forward, shrugged off a challenge to find himself one-on-one, before calmly lofting the ball over Pereira’s head to give his side the lead.

Woolery continued to be a threat with his pace and almost set up a second midway through the half after embarking on a great solo-run.

However, with Iliev calling for the ball in the area, the forward was unable to pick out his strike-partner as Pereira dived on the loose-ball.

With United pressing forward as they chased an equalised, Bolton switched to five at the back as they cleared everything that entered the area.

And with the visitors unable to test Campbell, the Trotters held on to secure a comfortable victory, knocking out the holders to set up a cup final appearance against Manchester City.

Bolton: Campbell, Holding, Sellers, Taylor, Boben, White, Lester (Newby 75), Woodland, Woolery, Iliev, Ball (Perry 73). 

Unused subs: Campbell-Young, Jaaskelainen, Thomas.

Man Utd: Pereira, Love, Grimshaw, Thorpe, James, Goss, El-Fitouri (Evans 46 (Tuanzebe 79)), Weir, Fletcher (Willock 73), Rothwell, Kellett.

Unused subs: O'Hara, Rashford.