Report: Scunthorpe 1-1 Bolton

Bolton Wanderers’ pre-season campaign in the build up to the new 2015/16 season continued with a productive 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe United on Friday evening.

Josh Vela capped a flowing team move early in the piece to set Bolton on their way.

But a Paddy Madden penalty just after the restart would ensure the game ended level, despite the Trotters enjoying much of the play.

Neil Lennon once again made full use of his squad, with the likes of Jay Spearing, Neil Danns and Rob Hall in from the off after appearing as substitutes last time out.

There was also a start for defender Alex Finney, a prominent member of the club’s under-21 side during the 2014/15 season.

Bolton started with a real swagger and didn’t waste any time in opening the scoring.

On four minutes Hall dropped off the frontline and into a clever pocket of space. After a deft first touch he fizzed a pass into the feet of Liam Feeney, whose poke back to the edge of the area was met by a crisp drive from Vela the sailed into the net.

The hosts did respond, as Luke Williams’ shot from 25-yards took a wicked deflected off of Dorian Dervite before looping onto the top of the Bolton crossbar and over for a corner kick.

Feeney then forced Scunthorpe goalkeeper Joe Anyon into a smart save after some combative midfield play from stand-in skipper Spearing.

As half time approached, Scunthorpe full-back Scott Laird miss-hit a cross from the left that had Ben Amos scrambling to his back post before Gary McSheffrey drilled wide after a clever touch inside the area.

Bolton started the second period as they did the first, with Hall involved a neat give-and-go with Feeney before seeing a shot blocked from a tight angle.

But the hosts steadied themselves and were soon level from the penalty spot.

Neil Danns was adjudged to have bundled over McSheffrey inside the area, allowing for Madden to fire straight down the middle from 12 yards.

For the ensuing period the hosts upped the tempo, though never really worked Amos in the Bolton goal.

But a miss-placed pass from Madden presented an opportunity for Feeney, but he blazed over following Hall’s through ball.

On the hour Lennon made a series of subs, one of which saw Liam Trotter enter the fray for the first time in pre-season after a recent injury.

And within minutes of his introduction, Trotter latched onto a clever lofted ball over the defence before teeing up Hall who scuffed his shot wide from close range.

Another one of those introduced from the bench, Filip Twardzik, then struck a difficult bouncing ball over the bar from distance, as Bolton went in search of a winner.

McSheffrey did curl an effort wide of Amos’ far post during a rare venture into Bolton territory for the home side.

Madden did see a late header saved by Fitzsimons, who had earlier replaced Amos, as the game ended level.

Bolton Wanderers: Amos (Fitzsimons 75), Wilson, Dervite (Derik 46), Finney (Holding 88), Moxey (Twardzik 60), Vela, Spearing, Danns (Trotter 60), Hall, Feeney (Woolery 75), Madine (Dobbie 60)

Unused subs: Maher