Ten-man Wanderers miss penalty in home defeat to Hornets
Ten-man Bolton Wanderers Under-18s missed a penalty as they lost at home to Watford on Saturday.
The young Whites dominated the first half but were unable to make a breakthrough despite numerous shots on goal.
Bolton had one effort cleared off the line, while the Watford goalkeeper kept out everything else that came his way, ensuring the two sides went in at the break with the scores goalless.
However, a defensive mix-up following the break saw Alex Honeyball harshly sent off for a last-ditch tackle, with the Hornets taking the lead from the resulting penalty.
Pressed forward in search of an equaliser, the Trotters were then caught out at the other end as Watford doubled their lead.
Max Allen had a late penalty saved for Wanderers, summing up their fortunes on the day as they fell to a disappointing defeat.
Speaking to bwfc.co.uk after the match, Under-18s head coach David Lee said: "We played the best we have played all season throughout the first half and created some excellent phases of play.
"We had several shots saved and one cleared off the line, and it started to be a similar case in the second half.
"However, the game changed when Alex Perry played a poor square pass, that resulted in Alex Honeyball having to rectify the mistake.
"A good last ditch tackle was judged to be a foul, resulting in a sending off and a penalty which handed them the lead.
"Then as we pressed for a deserved equaliser, but a dubious offside decision went against us, resulting in another goal, before we earned a penalty which Max Allen had saved.
"Overall it was a good solid performance despite the result, with players demonstrating there ability to produce good phases of play."
TEAM
Bolton: Turner, Grant, Lonsdale, Brockbank, Honeyball, Allen, Earing, Perry, McKenna, Samizadeh, Fearnley.