Report: Brentford v Bolton Wanderers

Wanderers' winning run in the league came to a halt after they bowed out to goals from Florian Jozefzoon and Neal Maupay against Brentford.

The frontman netted the opener just after the interval before a late cheeky backheel from substitute Maupay gave the Bees the maximum points on a cold afternoon in London.

Team News

Harry Charsley was handed his debut for Bolton Wanderers just 24 hours after signing on loan from Everton. Karl Henry and Darren Pratley, who both got injuries in Wanderers’ last league outing – the 1-0 victory against Hull City, were replaced by Josh Vela and Derik Osede in the engine room.

First Half

After a spritely start from both sides, the hosts had the game’s first effort on 13 minutes when Florian Jozefzoon flashed a volley wide from close range.

Yoann Barbet had an opportunity from a free-kick but his header went high over Bel Alnwick’s cross bar.

The hosts were getting a foothold on the game as the half wore on and Alnwick had to be sharp to get hold of Barbet’s dangerous looking cross.

The deadlock was broken five minutes before the break courtesy of a decisive right-footed drive from Jozefzoon. The goal had a sense of inevitability about it and spurred the Bees on to finish the half on top.

Madine, with his back to goal after receiving a smart pass from Sammy Ameobi, saw his shot deflect for a throw in but that was as good as it got for the visitors in the opening 45 minutes.

Second Half

Barely a minute into the second-half and Wanderers had a half-chance to restore parity but Derik’s effort from distance cannoned off a team-mate to go out for a goal-kick. 

Brentford should have doubled their lead through Jozefzoon on 49 minutes when some smart play carved open Wanderers’ backlinie, but Alnwick pulled off a sensational save to prevent the frontman from getting his brace.

Phil Parkinson made his first change on 54 minutes when Will Buckley replace the debutant Charsley.

Captain Nico Yennaris hit the foot of Alnwick’s right hand stick from distance as Brentford tried to increase their advantage.

David Bentley, the Bees ‘keeper, somehow got his body to keep out a close range effort from Gary Madine after Antonee Robinson’s probing run resulted in a defensive mix-up.

Adam Le Fondre came on for Filipe Moriais with just over 20 minutes to go to give Wanderers a fresher impetus up front.

Buckley had a chance on goal after Ameobi drifted in from the right but the sub’s effort lacked the power to trouble Bentley.

Wanderers’ final change of the afternoon came when Aaron Wilbraham replaced Mark Little with little over six minutes of the contest remaining.

Any hopes of a revival were dashed when substitute Maupays impudent backheel sealed the points for the hosts.

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