Report: Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Grimsby Town

​​Both sides played out a scoreless encounter as Grimsby Town held Bolton Wanderers at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Despite controlling most of the contest Wanderers were unable to find a way past their opponents who seldom caused any issues for the hosts backline.
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​​Ian Evatt made just one change from the side that beat Harrogate Town last weekend with Jak Hickman replacing the injured Gethin Jones.
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​​Alex Baptiste returned from injury to be named among the substitutes where he was joined by youngster Regan Riley who impressed in the midweek EFL Trophy encounter against Shrewsbury Town.
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​​Wanderers looked slick with their passing game early on and Hickman put in two good balls from the right which narrowly evaded any of the host’s front men.
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​​Crellin made a vital block with his feet to deny Terry Taylor who had ghosted in from the right hand side.
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​​Wanderers won a free kick from 30 yards out when Delfouneso was felled as he looked to twist away from his man. Crawford took the free-kick well but it went narrowly wide of James McKeown’s right hand post.
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​​Hickman was proving to be a very useful threat on the right flank and another cross found Doyle whose layoff for Crawford culminated in the Scot’s powerful first time effort blocked.
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​​Wanderers earned another free-kick in a dangerous position when Sarcevic was scythed just out side the box on the right hand side. Again Crawford stepped up to take the kick, which was floated into the box but it evaded the head of Brockbank who was looking to nod towards goal.
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​​Another free kick came Wanderers’ way when Sarcevic was feled 20 yards out. Crawford’s free-kick left McKeown flat-footed but it went narrowly wide of the right hand post.
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​​Both teams were unchanged during the break, with Wanderers looking to turn their dominance into goals.
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​​The hosts were looking comfortable in possession during the early stages of the second period but hadn’t really troubled McKeown in the Mariners' goal.
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​​Grimsby had a rare foray into the Wanderers box which culminated in Luke Hendrie firing over from just out side the box.
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​​Delfouneso spurned a good chance when Tutte found him just outside the box. The striker could only the the ball over the Grimsby goal.
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​​Alex Baptiste came on for Hickman after 66 minutes as Evatt made his first change of the afternoon.
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​​The sub got on the end of a Crawford corner but, under pressure from a Town defender, could only guide his volley wide of goal.
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​​Evatt made a double subsitution with 15 minutes to go when Gordon and Comley came on for Mascoll and Tutte.
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​​Terry Taylor flashed wide from a good position after Wanderers lost possession deep in their own half.
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​​Despite six minutes being added on, Wanderers weren't able to break the deadlock.
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​​Wanderers: Crellin, Hickman (Baptiste 66), Mascoll (Gordon 75), Tutte (Comley, 75), Delaney, Almeida Santos, Brockbank, Sarcevic (c), Crawford, Doyle, Delfouneso
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​​Subs Not Used: Greenidge, Darcy, Gnahoua, Riley

 

Grimsby: McKeown, Hendrie, Pollock, Waterfall, Preston, Clifton, Rose, Taylor, Windsor (Scannell 76), Green (Gibson 64), Williams (Edwards 64).

Subs Not Used: Battersby, Idehen, Mohsni, Tilley. 

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