Reading result guarantees second place finish for baby Bolton Wanderers

The U18 Bolton Wanderers squad needed a helping hand from Arsenal if they were going to finish top of the U18 Premier League National Group 1 table. The result that Bolton needed out of Saturday's Arsenal - Reading match was an Arsenal win. Unfortunately for the baby whites, it ended up up in a 3-5 Reading win.

The win for the Royals mean they move five points clear of Bolton (who still have a game in hand). The result means that regardless of how Bolton's postponed match against West Bromwich Albion goes, Bolton Wanderers U18s will finish second in their group after what was a tremendous half-season for them. Bolton are currently 13 points clear of third-place West Brom in the table.

Despite sounding like a resounding success for Bolton, the end of the season is, on the whole, cruel to the young whites. Should Bolton do anything but lose to West Brom, it will mean that they will have finished their season with just one loss, an impressive feat.

Congratulations are in order for the young Reading squad but as you may know (if you don't, you absolutely must read Matilda's brilliant development system breakdown), this is only the halfway point. Now, the groups will be reshuffled based on success in the first half of the season and Bolton will be in the U-18 top flight. These reconfigured groups will really test the youngsters' mettle.

Bolton's new competition will consist of Reading, West Bromwich Albion, Southampton, Manchester United, Chelsea, Fulham, and Crystal Palace.

Well done to the Bolton U18s for getting this far and heres hoping that the brilliant run goes on.