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Reserves: BOLTON WANDERERS 2 - 1 Manchester City
RICARDO Gardner stepped up his comeback from injury as he helped
Bolton's reserves chalk up back-to-back wins thanks to Ricardo Vaz
Te's late winner from the penalty spot.
Gardner is working his way back from a seven-month lay-off with a
knee injury and completed all 90 minutes at Leyland on Wednesday
night.
And the Jamaican international played a key part in securing maximum
points for Jimmy Phillips' side for only the second time this season
with two goal-line clearances in the second-half.
Gardner was still going strong at the end to provide light at the
end of the tunnel in his quest to return to first-team action and
help ease manager Sam Allardyce's problems at left-back.
On a miserable night the 28-year-old showed a great appetite for the
contest and it was his early tackle that paved the way for Bolton's
opening goal after just six minutes.
Gardner then released Vaz Te with a ball over the top and with
Swedish international Andreas Isaksson dallying in the City goal Vaz
Te squared for Leslie Thompson to tap home from close range.
Vaz Te could have doubled Bolton's lead but from Andranik's fine
through-ball Isaksson made partial amends with a parry from the
striker's shot.
Johan Smith and Vaz Te missed further chances and City hit back
after the break in search of an equaliser.
From a Sam Williamson corner Matthew Mills saw a header blocked on
the line by Gardner and Kelvin Etuhu should have done better with an
effort he directed tamely at Chris Howarth.
David Gbemie impressed at the heart of the Bolton defence and
Gardner's awareness saw him thwart Mills again with another
last-gasp clearance.
But City's pressure finally paid off when Ishmael Miller's deflected
free-kick gave Howarth no chance
Reserves: BOLTON WANDERERS 2 - 1 Manchester City
RICARDO Gardner stepped up his comeback from injury as he helped
Bolton's reserves chalk up back-to-back wins thanks to Ricardo Vaz
Te's late winner from the penalty spot.
Gardner is working his way back from a seven-month lay-off with a
knee injury and completed all 90 minutes at Leyland on Wednesday
night.
And the Jamaican international played a key part in securing maximum
points for Jimmy Phillips' side for only the second time this season
with two goal-line clearances in the second-half.
Gardner was still going strong at the end to provide light at the
end of the tunnel in his quest to return to first-team action and
help ease manager Sam Allardyce's problems at left-back.
On a miserable night the 28-year-old showed a great appetite for the
contest and it was his early tackle that paved the way for Bolton's
opening goal after just six minutes.
Gardner then released Vaz Te with a ball over the top and with
Swedish international Andreas Isaksson dallying in the City goal Vaz
Te squared for Leslie Thompson to tap home from close range.
Vaz Te could have doubled Bolton's lead but from Andranik's fine
through-ball Isaksson made partial amends with a parry from the
striker's shot.
Johan Smith and Vaz Te missed further chances and City hit back
after the break in search of an equaliser.
From a Sam Williamson corner Matthew Mills saw a header blocked on
the line by Gardner and Kelvin Etuhu should have done better with an
effort he directed tamely at Chris Howarth.
David Gbemie impressed at the heart of the Bolton defence and
Gardner's awareness saw him thwart Mills again with another
last-gasp clearance.
But City's pressure finally paid off when Ishmael Miller's deflected
free-kick gave Howarth no chance
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