David Lee’s young Whites picked up their first win of the season over their Bristol City counterparts on Monday evening.
With a number of U23 players involved in the Carabao Cup tie against West Ham, Denis Politic and Matthew Fearnley were both given the chance to impress David Lee and Tony Kelly.
It was almost the perfect start for Bolton, Cole Lonsdale’s corner found an unmarked Joe Muscatt, his header was scrambled off the line and to safety by City in the second minute.
Just 10 minutes later, Connor Hall collected the ball on the edge of his own box before running the length of the field, just as the striker shaped up to shoot he was fouled on the edge of Bristol’s box. From the resulting free-kick, Alex Perry tested O’Leary who saved well to his right.
Lonsdale once again found Muscatt from a corner on the 25th minute, his header went narrowly wide before minutes later, Perry’s first-time volley tested O’Leary.
HALF-TIME
As both teams came out for the second half, Fearnley replaced O’Brien in the midfield and looked to make an immediate impact. His clever back-heel found Politic in space, however, his strike curled narrowly wide of the far post.
The opening goal for Bolton came in the 59th minute, Obi collected the ball on the edge of the Bristol box before beating him for pace and finishing into the top corner.
Bristol thought they had a penalty 10 minutes later, however, referee Thomas Parsons awarded a free-kick following a dive from Day.
It was almost two for Wanderers on the 78th minute, Politic dazzling the defence with some sublime footwork before his strike cannoned off the crossbar from 20-yards.
With the game drawing to a close, Muscatt and Mitchell combined to block Garita’s effort on the line and give Bolton all three points.
David Lee’s side will now travel to Leeds United on Friday for their next Professional Development League 2 game.