Preview: Bolton v Sheffield Wednesday

Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday played out a 0-0 draw at Macron Stadium on Tuesday evening.

During a lively first half, Derik Osede came close to opening the scoring for the hosts with a header from close range, while Ben Amos was forced to make a number of smart saves from close range to keep the visitors at bay.

Wanderers were the stronger side in the second period, with Gary Madine coming close to scoring against his former employers, but the spoils were shared at the final whistle.

Neil Lennon named an unchanged starting XI to the side who turned out for the weekend’s victory over Wolves, with Neil Danns recovering from a head injury sustained against Kenny Jackett’s side to take his place in the team.

For Wednesday however, they boasted the inclusion of former Bolton loanee Barry Bannan who made his second appearances for the Owls following his move from Crystal Palace.

Fernando Forestieri was the first to threaten in the clash with him sprinting downfield inside three minutes after a slip by Mark Davies, but the Italian then fell himself with Wanderers able to steer the ball away from their area.

The visitors came within inches of opening the scoring three minutes later as Forestieri whipped a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but Prince somehow managed to clear Bolton’s lines with Marco Matias’ shot being kept out by the Frenchman.

Matias was in the thick of the action soon after as he sprung the Whites’ offside trap, but Ben Amos was on his guard to carefully scoop the ball from the feet of the Portuguese forward.

It was all Sheffield Wednesday in the opening stages, with Wanderers having to be on their toes to silence the Owls’ frontline.

Wellington Silva then enjoyed Bolton’s first real chance of the game, collecting a loose ball just outside the box, but the Brazilian was ultimately dispossessed at the crucial moment.

The chance seemed to give Wanderers something of a boost, with Wednesday forced onto the back foot a little soon after with Derik Osede’s header flying narrowly over the crossbar, arguably taking a coat of paint off on its way.

It was end to end stuff at Macron Stadium, with chances being enjoyed by both teams, with Amos being called upon once again to deny Wednesday’s Kieran Lee from close range.

For Wanderers meanwhile, Wellington tricked his way into the area, only to see his shot from a tight angle take a deflection and trickle wide of the far post.

With five minutes of the half to go, Wellington almost fed Gary Madine, but Joe Wildsmith was out quickly to block the cross with the former Owls striker lurking and ready to pounce.

Both sides pushed as one minute of additional time was indicated, but the first half ended goalless.

With no changes for either side at the break, the second half got underway and it was Wednesday who started the stronger with Forestieri somehow poking the ball over the bar when in on goal early on.

Wellington was still proving himself a nuisance for the Wednesday backline however, with the winger snaking his way into the area before eventually shooting narrowly wide of the near post.

Both sides looked cautious on the attack, but a goal looked to be imminent in the 56th minute as Prince hooked a header back into a crowded six yard box, with Madine heading over under pressure.

Frustration was evident from both sides, with each defence standing firm under each passing attack.

It was Bolton in the ascendency though, with the Owls having to defend in their numbers as the home side powered forward and flooded Wednesday’s penalty area.

Clough then attempted to find Madine in a crowded six yard box with a wicked ball into the mix, only to see Wildsmith collect and deny the frontman his first goal for the club.

The academy graduate was however forced to leave the field of play soon after, with Sam Hutchinson receiving a booking for a clumsy challenge on the striker.

Replaced with Stephen Dobbie, the forward enjoyed his first chance soon after but saw his shot from the edge of the box comfortably saved while another flew inches over the goalmouth.

It was all Bolton as the game entered itself final ten minutes, with the introduction of Emile Heskey in place of Madine offering the Whites a different approach upfront inside the latter stages.

Wednesday did threaten on the counter attack on occasion though, with Modou Sougou drilling a shot down the throat of Amos with four minutes to go.

Five minutes of additional time were indicated at the end of the game, with both Wednesday and the Whites throwing men forward, but the clash was all square come the final whistle.