Scholars suffer slender defeat on South Coast
Wanderers’ under-18s battled hard against their Southampton counterparts, but slipped to a 2-0 defeat on the South Coast.
David Lee and Tony Kelly’s side looked good value in the opening 45, but fell behind when the hosts’ headed home from a corner before the break.
The Saints doubled their lead shortly after half-time, and that proved to be enough to secure the win, as Bolton were unable to convert their chances.
Speaking after the game, Lee said: “We created several good chances in the first half, but weren’t clinical enough in front of goal. We had the better of the play and Southampton didn't threaten us from open play, but we conceded from a corner.
“The second half wasn't our best performance and we conceded after three minutes of the re-start. Some of the players didn’t perform as we know they can so this was a good learning curve as they’ve seen they need to be at their best in every game that they play.
“We now focus our attention towards the FA Youth Cup at Spurs on Friday 15 February. The players will again have to work hard in training to earn the right to be part of the team that plays at White Hart Lane.”
Wanderers:Sievers, Hendrie, Gibson, Holding, Maher, Bailey (Newby 60), Lester, Wolstenholme, Hamer (Youngs 55), Clough, Walker