Bolton Wanderers traveled to New Meadow for the first of their two meetings with Shrewsbury in the space of a month. After the loss away at Rotherham United last today, Dougie Freedman put out a much stronger lineup than what fans saw at New York Stadium. Zat Knight was handed the captain's armband once again, leading out what looked like it could be Bolton's starting lineup at Burnley.
Adam Bogdan started in goal with Alex Baptiste, Zat Knight, David Wheater, and Marc Tierney ahead of him. The midfield was comprised of five men with Rob Hall and Chris Eagles on the wings and Keith Andrews, Medo Kamara, and Darren Pratley in the center. Marvin Sordell was the lone man up front.
Wanderers, on the whole, looked comfortable against Shrewsbury Town and it was Rob Hall who perhaps shone brightest early on. Wanderers got the first goal with Rob Hall dodging a few tackles, much like he did against Rotherham, and getting the ball to Marvin Sordell who finished well from the edge of the area. The 19-year-old winger looks like he may give Dougie some selection dilemmas on the wing with Chung-Yong Lee, Chris Eagles, and the new signing all competing for a spot.
12 minutes after the Sordell goal, Shrews would level things up with a goal from new signing John Marsden. Bolton's defense once again let them down as Marsden was able to prod home the effort. It didn't stay like that long though as Wanderers showed quality in link-up play. Some quick passing between Pratley, Sordell, and Chris Eagles saw the winger get free and slot home a low effort from 10 yards. Then, just 10 minutes later, Marvin Sordell got his second with a stunning strike from 25 yards out, leaving goalkeeper Chris Weale completely and utterly helpless.
The second half started off without any Bolton changes and it was the away side that were arguably on top for most of it. 20 minutes into the second half, Shrewsbury pulled a goal back through Paul Parry, who rifled a full volley from the edge of the area, leaving Adam Bogdan without a chance and challenging Marvin Sordell for the game's best goal. On 78 minutes, Shrews tied it up again with a bit of absolutely awful play (standard, really) from Zat Knight. The big central defender gave the ball away to Akwasi Asante in midfield, letting the Birmingham City loanee go one-on-one with Adam Bogdan and finish a composed effort low.
Dougie once again experimented with Tim Ream's versatility, subbing the man on alongside Matt Mills and Craig Davies and sticking him straight into the midfield.
The match would end 3-3 and thanks to lax defending from Wanderers and some phenomenal goals with both keepers unable to do anything about a few of them.