Young Whites fall to heavy defeat against Derby
Bolton Wanderers Under-18s were left ruing individual mistakes as they suffered a heavy defeat against Derby County on Saturday.
Jamie Thomas had fired the Whites into an early lead with a well-taken lobbed strike from inside the area which was adjudged to have crossed the Derby line before being cleared.
However, the East-Midlands fought back in emphatic style with forward Charles Vernam scoring twice, including a curling 25-yard free-kick to put the Rams ahead and turn the game on its head.
Offrande Zanzala made it 3-1 soon after, rising highest to head home a free-kick after Trialist was unable to punch clear.
James Carvell netted Derby’s fourth from a low cross before Vernam netted his hat-trick, while Alex Barbos wrapped up the scoring following a Rams corner after Bolton struggled to clear their lines.
Speaking after the final whistle, Trotters coach David Lee said: “It was an experimental game, with players being given different roles in a way to develop their understanding of how to play with different systems, and resulting different scenarios.
“There are both positives and negatives to take from the game. Jamie Thomas scored our goal and should have scored two more, but for good saves from the Derby keeper.
"Unfortunately five out of the six goals we conceded were individual mistakes. While at no point did Derby outplay us, players must learn to deal with individual mistakes better.
“This is a massive learning curve for the individual players, knowing how, when and where to either keep the ball or pass quickly in areas that subsequently cost them.”
Bolton:Trialist, Spooner, Garratt Honeyball, Phillips, Perry, Allen (Palmer 60), Cvetko, Kennedy, Thomas, Likoy-Elumba.