Immediate Reaction: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Leyton Orient

Bolton Wanderers finally got their first win of 2021 - beating Leyton Orient 2-0 with a very impressive performance that deserved a higher scoreline.

Going into the game, Ian Evatt made several changes. In came Baptiste, Brockbank, Lee, Thomason, Delfouneso & for what seemed like a long time coming - a deserved start for the man who lives down the road, Arthur Gnahoua.

The first half was partly great, partly frustrating. Again, Wanderers dominated but failed to really the test the Orient goalkeeper - aside from a decent effort from distance by Eoin Doyle & one which Fonz fired straight at Vigouroux. With eight shots blocked - it seemed as if it was going to be another one of those days for Bolton.

But Wanderers continued to impress in the second half & the win was sealed with two goals in quick succession.

With just under twenty minutes to go - Delfouneso’s ball across the box was hammered into his own net by James Brophy.

Two minutes later - some fantastic work out wide by Arthur teed up a chance for Doyle, who smartly placed the ball into the corner for his tenth goal of the season. Doyle becomes the first Wanderers player to reach double figures since Gary Madine three years ago.

Wanderers could and should have extended their lead. Elbouzedi was guilty of not playing the ball across for a simple finish for Arthur, before placing a shot just wide when set up by Delfouneso.

Delfouneso again missed a glorious chance in stoppage time but it didn’t matter - the win was already in the bag.

An impressive performance by the team - with the attacking presence of Arthur & the experience of the returning Baptiste proving pivotal at the back. He certainly had his dioralyte before the game!

Lets hope we can carry on this kind of form going into Tuesdays game at Mansfield.

Coywm!