U23s: Bolton 1-2 Nottingham Forest

 

With five minutes on the clock, the Whites created the first major chance of the game. However, Max Clayton’s volley from Jamie Proctor’s cross went wide of Henderson’s post.

 

Featuring once more on his return from injury, Clayton soon saw another chance fall his way. His header had Henderson beaten, but it fell just wide of his goal.

 

With Wanderers dominating proceedings the visitors slowly worked their way back into the encounter. Bolton goalkeeper James Aspinall was called into action twice, firstly saving from Yassine En Neyah, then minutes later denying Ben Brereton.

 

With chances at a premium meanwhile Clayton was thwarted for a third time. With the forward unmarked at the back post, Forest defender Frederik Nielsen denied Clayton clearing Lewis Buxton’s driven cross.

 

In the 34th minute however, Forest took the lead. Anthony Wright's cross found Brereton at the back post, with the striker’s looping header being sent back over Aspinall to give the visitors the lead.

 

David Lee’s side started the second half in emphatic fashion, equalising two minutes into the half. Clayton’s intelligent play and unselfish pullback across goal found Proctor, who tapped home from close range to level the scoring.

With Forest looking to regain the lead, Aspinall was once again called upon, this time saving from Anthony Wright following Toby Edser’s run through midfield.

 

The 62nd minute saw the guests go ahead for the second time though. Brereton’s through ball found Grant, whose low shot crept under Aspinall and into the back of the net.

Wanderers reacted well to the goal however and Jeff King’s deep cross looked to be creeping into Erlandsson’s net, only for the Forest shot stopper to punch clear at his back post.

Lewis Buxton then combined well with Keshi Anderson down the right, only for the latter to see his drilled cross cleared by Nielsen.

With the game drawing to a close, Alex Perry had the chance to equalise following some intricate passing from Luke Woodland and George Newell. However, the linesman’s flag denied the midfielder the chance to level.

Despite a lack of possession, Forest almost put the game to bed as Alex Honeyball’s point blank block denied Brereton his second of the game.

Wanderers saw one final chance fall their way as Dean Moxey’s long throw caused chaos in the box with the ball eventually falling to Newell on the edge of the box. However, his effort failed to test Erlandsson and Forest held out for the win.