BOLTON 0ALBION 0
Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-21s put in a battling performance to secure a 0-0 draw against an experienced Bolton Wanderers side.
The Trotters named first-team players Rob Hall, Medo Kamara and David Wheater in their starting line-up, with the latter playing the full 90 minutes for Wanderers at the Amex in August.
The hosts had a number of chances in the opening minutes of the game, as Zach Clough shot narrowly over the bar from close range while Tom Eaves just failed to connect with Nial Maher’s dangerous ball into the box.
Clough went close again just moments later, when his header from inside the box clipped the top of the crossbar before going over the frame of the goal.
Albion managed to weather the early storm and created their first real opportunity of the game, when Shamir Fenelon missed the target with a fierce strike from distance.
But Bolton continued to create a number of chances before half time, as Hall saw his shot blocked from inside the box, while a heavy touch by Seagulls shot-stopper Harry Doherty almost gave Eaves an opportunity to break the deadlock, but he recovered well to clear the danger.
George Cole had an opportunity to give Simon Ireland’s side the lead just seconds before the interval, but his powerful first-time effort produced a good save from Trotters keeper Ross Fitzsimons.
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Kamara then came close to breaking the deadlock for Wanderers in the 50th minute when his curling free kick went just over the bar.The Seagulls still carried a threat going forward though and substitute Charlie Harris saw his effort cannon off the post with a powerful half-volley.
Experienced centre back Wheater was also involved in the thick of the attacking action, but he headed wide after connecting with a left-wing cross.
Albion’s defence continued to defend resolutely to block two efforts from both Eaves and Quade Taylor before Kaiyne Woolery headed wide from Hall’s cross, but Simon Ireland’s men kept a clean sheet and earned a share of the spoils.
ALBION: Doherty (GK); Barry, Dallison, Barclay, Hunt; Agustien (Harris 51), Toko, Starkey; Fenelon, Kandi (Muitt 86), Cole. Subs not used: Smith (GK), Deen, Wiltshire.*
[h=3]ALBION V WIGAN
[/h]TUESDAY 4TH November, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V blackburn
[/h]saturday 8th november, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]Albion v fulham
[/h]SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMber, kick-off 3pm
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