Football Update: Stoke City vs. Bolton Wanderers (Half time report)
Starting XI for Stoke City: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Higginbotham, Delap, Whitehead, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Etherington-c12941, Jones, Sanli.
Subs: Sorensen, Collins, Whelan, Pugh, Pennant, Walters, Faye
Starting XI for Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Davies-c20716, Elmander.
Subs: Bogdan, Petrov, Moreno, Blake, Cohen, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alonso-c5254
Bolton Wanderers travelled to the Britannia Stadium with the motive to manage their first Premier league double over Stoke. However, Stoke would be looking to revenge their away defeat earlier this season and played a strong side.
The game was pretty even in the opening proceedings. Stoke’s first attack was a dangerous one when a corner was half cleared. The ball dropped for Wilson and the player unleashed a volley, only to be blocked by Taylor. Bolton were again under heavy fire
few moments later and it took good clearance from Cahill, who was under pressure from Jones.
Bolton’s first attack came in the 18th minute. The side managed to counter and Elmander tried to lob Begovic. The goalkeeper was left stranded and fumbled to regain the ball, but the shot wasn’t on target and sailed over the bar. Stoke enjoyed
most of the possession and really took the game to the visitors. At the 33rd minute, Etherington took on Ricketts on the Stoke left, and looked to have the beating of the Welsh fullback as he jinked inside and out before Ricketts pulled out another
solid challenge to clatter the ball clear for a throw.
This lead to a throw for Delap, who launched another long throw into the box, and Huth managed a fine header, only to see it sail over the bar yet again. Stoke’s impressive game play led them finding the opening goal in the 38th minute. A corner
was taken to the back stick, and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-Higginbotham-c10207 turned it goal wards from two yards out! Jaaskelainen almost kept it out, but the linesman was convinced it went over the line and the goal stood.
Bolton players were protesting with the referee but the goal was given. Stoke’s hard work had finally paid off and deserved to be in the lead. Bolton lacked the X factor in their game and lost possession too easily. Owen Coyle needs to change a few things
and needs to take care of the weaknesses. The left side has been a trouble throughout the first 45 and a substitution is necessary. For Stoke, well, more of this would see them gaining comfortable win over the side. A win here would see Stoke level in points
with Bolton Wanderers.
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