Stu Holden, David Wheater, Matt Mills, Andy Lonergan and Medo Kamara all feature in dominant display
Stuart Holden, David Wheater, Matt Mills, Andy Lonergan and January signing Medo Kamara all featured for Wanderers’ development squad on Monday evening, as Jamie Fullarton's side ran out 1-0 winners over Bury in the Manchester Senior Cup at the County Ground.
An own goal from Tom Roune separated the sides on a night where Bolton dominated proceedings throughout the entire 90 minutes.
In the opening quarter of an hour, it was Bolton who were piling on the pressure in search of the first goal.
The midfield trio of Jan Gregus, Gregg Wylde and Holden all attempted to break the deadlock inside the first 15 minutes, with the latter coming the closest.
Gregus hit an audacious shot from the left flank that dipped far too late after soaring over the crossbar, with Wylde firing an equally ambitious effort straight at goalkeeper Christian Dibble after racing away from three chasing Bury players on the right wing.
Holden was presented with a far more inviting opportunity in the 14th minute after good work from Sanmi Odelusi. The winger skipped away from the challenge of Roune before whipping in a dangerous cross that the American met but his glancing header deflected wide.
The Whites continued in search of a goal before Mills came agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 36th minute.
Wylde surged down the right wing before chipping a cross towards the onrushing defender who powerfully headed narrowly over the crossbar.
As half-time approached, Bolton came close to finding the elusive goal through yet another header.
The towering Tom Eaves rose to meet Gregus’ corner at the near post but made little contact with the ball as his attempt was glanced wide.
Wanderers’ constant pressure finally paid dividends as they forced on the stroke of half-time. The lively Wylde raced beyond Levi Clarke before drilling in a low cross through the six-yard box. Roune attempted to clear the danger but the pass was too fast to control as he inadvertently turned it into his own net to send Bolton into the break with a well-deserved lead.
Bolton, buoyed by their 45th minute goal after an impressive first period, continued the second half in similar fashion as Odelusi tested Dibble three minutes after the restart.
The winger burst through the centre of midfield before he sent a low effort fizzing towards goal that Dibble stretched down to save.
After being restricted to no clear opportunities in the opening half, the visitors forced Lonergan into action for the first time in the 57th minute.
Under pressure from Holden, Jeanvion Yulu shifted the ball onto his left foot before striking a 25-yard shot destined for the top corner of the net before Lonergan acrobatically leapt across to palm the ball to safety.
The Whites constantly posed a physical threat throughout the game and that nearly paid off in the 76th minute when David Wheater’s powerful presence came close to grabbing a goal.
Gregus swung a corner towards the far post and the defender outmuscled the challenges of several Bury players before nodding inches over the crossbar.
The Whites always looked like securing the victory once they took the lead, with Holden and Kamara forming a fine partnership in the centre of midfield. Despite an impressive showing from Kamara, he couldn’t quite find the goal to compliment his performance.
In the 90th minute, Kamara twisted and turned away from the challenge of substitute David Nasseri before scooping a shot over the crossbar.
Although Kamara cut a frustrated figure after his shot was off-target, both he and the rest of the team can be delighted with their comfortable and thoroughly deserved win.
BWFC: Lonergan, Threlkeld, McQuade, Mills (Kellett 72) , Wheater, Kamara, Wylde, Holden, Eaves (Sampson 86), Gregus, Odelusi (Unused subs: Blakeman, Sievers, Dennis)
Bury: Dibble, Roune, Melia (Nasseri 40), Sodje, Clarke, Holden, Carole, Dickinson, Healy, Yulu, Myler (Pratt 71) (Unused subs: Keane, Thornton, Prickett)