Bolton Wanderers U18 drew with Peterborough United after the Posh came back from two
goals down to secure a point, writes Harrison Gray.
The Whites started the game strongly and their early pressure paid off in the 12th minute,
courtesy of Na’Im Zuill. The wing-back lingered around the edge of Peterborough’s area
following a corner and, when the ball broke to him, he finished with aplomb. His first-time halfvolley sailed past Posh goalkeeper George Bucknor and into the bottom-right corner to break
the deadlock.
Bolton continued in fine fashion and didn’t let up, doubling their advantage midway through
the first half.
No. 9 Daniel Ogboru caused problems for the opposition’s backline from the outset, and the
striker made his mark with an emphatic finish. A cross from the right-hand side found Ogboru,
who turned on a sixpence before firing into the top-left corner, leaving Bucknor helpless and
doubling the home side’s advantage.
It took until the 38th minute for Peterborough to register their first clear-cut chance of the
game and they were unlucky not to halve the deficit. Harrison Jones produced some brilliant
trickery on the left flank, allowing him to get an effort away from the byline. His firm strike
crashed against the underside of the bar before being cleared away to preserve Bolton’s twogoal lead.
However, that lead would not last until half-time, as Jones turned provider to bring Posh back
into the game. The No. 10 had found himself in promising positions, and when he picked up the
ball on the right-hand side, he slipped it across the box to Cordell Morgan-Antonio, who slid it
past James Shillinglaw just before the break.
HT: Bolton Wanderers U18 2-1 Peterborough United U18
Peterborough started the second half as they had finished the first, immediately putting
pressure on Bolton’s backline.
Bamlak Dagne was unfortunate not to equalise early on after sending his header wide, while
Posh created further gilt-edged chances that could have been converted, had it not been for
some excellent goalkeeping from Shillinglaw.
Danny Clarke’s side grew into the second half, though, with Denver Clement going close from a
tight angle as his strike hit the outside of the post, before Alfie Healy almost scored directly
from a corner.
Clement came close to extending Bolton’s lead in the 72nd minute, with two efforts amid a
cluster of bodies desperately cleared away from goal to keep the score at 2-1.
Wanderers were made to pay for not taking their chances in the 77th minute, when Dagne
finally found the net. The No. 11 was played in down the left-hand side and his delightful turn
created the space he needed to curl the ball into the bottom corner and complete
Peterborough’s comeback.
The Whites were ultimately forced to share the spoils and will now turn their attention to their
next fixture in the U18 Professional Development League.
FT: Bolton Wanderers U18 2-2 Peterborough United U18