Match Report: Peterborough United 1-0 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers’ run of league wins came to an end against an impressive looking Peterborough United who jumped into the play-off places. Bolton meanwhile remain in third at the time of writing before the Sheffield United game.

Peterborough were the team out of the blocks quickly pegging Bolton back for much of the first half exerting near total control over the match. Despite all the pressure Peterborough struggled to create many clear cut opportunities with the main talking point in the first 15 minutes being the unwarranted attack on Mark Howard which led to the keeper suffering a dislocated thumb. When looking to throw the ball out quickly the Peterborough striker decided to jump in front of Howard earning himself a smack on the back of the head as the keeper threw the ball. Quite why he decided that was a good idea I don’t think I’ll ever know.

Howard was substituted and Ben Alnwick made his first league appearance for Bolton against his former team, something the Peterborough faithful were overjoyed by. It took the keeper a few minutes to find his footing.

This problem led to Peterborough’s first real opening. A poor Alnwick clearance went straight to the Posh player who threaded it through to a teammate in the box who was unable to find the target from a good position.

Peterborough continued to dominate proceedings with Bolton’s new striker Gary May Dean (I don’t know who he is but the Sky Sports commentator was going on about him) unable to get hold of the ball as the Peterborough players swamped the men in white whenever they got on the ball. This pressure was finally rewarded with a spectacular goal on the half volley. The Posh full back collected a cross field pass took a touch in field and smashed a dipping volley over Alnwick who really should have got a hand to it.

After the goal the home side continued to dominate and continued to struggle to create any clear cut opportunities. As the half wore on Bolton started to have a bit of the play but rather like the home side were totally unable to craft any real opportunities with the opposition goalkeeper free to take a nap in the winter sun.

The second half was a far more even affair with both sides seeing spells in position and creating one or two glorious opportunities to score. The first truly glorious opportunity fell Bolton’s way. A great one two between substitute Chris Taylor and Zach Clough saw the ball put into the centre of the box. The ball was deflected back towards Clough who was unable to get the ball out of his feet and was closed down by seemingly the entire Peterborough team.

Then the home team broke down to the other end of the pitch and found acres of space on the right hand side of the Bolton box. It looked destined to be 2-0 but instead of pulling the trigger the attacker ran into Lawrie Wilson who was more than happy to clear the ball.

Beyond that there was little in the way of clear opportunities, that I remember at least but I think I’m still drunk from last night so who knows. This was despite a number of crosses being but into the Posh box, all of which Gary May Dean headed wide or away from the goal like a legend.