the stiffs...

[thebish]

Bolton Wanderers reserves suffered their first pre-season defeat after succumbing to a gutsy Lancaster City side at the wonderfully named Giant Axe Stadium.

In truth, John Henry's second string never really got out of second gear and the tone was set from the off when the hosts took a lead inside the opening four minutes. Alex Johnson raced between two defenders before scuffing a shot into the bottom corner of the net beyond an unsighted Jay Lynch in the Wanderers goal.

The early goal sparked a response from Wanderers, and Oluwasamni Odelusi was unlucky with a back post effort that was well beaten away by Martin Fearon in the Lancaster goal.

But the hosts continued to look lively in the final third, and doubled their lead with a breakaway Alex Meaney goal midway through the half.

Bolton continued to huff and puff with little to show for their effort. Though an Andy Kellett goal did half the deficit after the diminutive left-sider managed to bundle home from point blank range following a Joe Riley free-kick.

Riley could then have levelled the scores but was denied by a fine save from Fearon, which ultimately allowed the hosts to extend their lead further in first-half stoppage time. Michael Hall released Johnson, who calmly slotted beyond the onrushing Lynch.

After the break the game generated into a somewhat disjointed affair following a number of substitutions by both managers.

And it was two of the Lancaster substitutes that sumptuously linked up for their fourth goal of the afternoon. Zac Clarke hit a measured volley into the roof of the net following a clever dinked cross from Joe Bunny.

Riley almost pulled a goal back for Wanderers late on, but his header from Andy Kellett's cross was well beaten away by the impressive Fearon in the hosts' goal.

Lancaster City: Fearon, Wilson, Nightingale (Rothwell 46), Gregson, Marshall, Carney (Bunny 59), McKenna (Wills 59), Elderton, Johnson (Clarke 59), Meaney, Hall (Poole 69)

Wanderers: Lynch, Battersby (Threlkeld 46), Blakeman, Dennis, Eckersley (Hampson 46), Preston (Vela 55), Riley, Irwin (McQuade 46), Odelsui (MacGregor 72), O'Halloran (Sampson 59), Kellett (Proudfoot 72) (Unused substitutes: Fielding)

[Wandering Willy]

Wanderers: Lynch, Battersby (Threlkeld 46), Blakeman, Dennis, Eckersley (Hampson 46), Preston (Vela 55), Riley, Irwin (McQuade 46), Odelsui (MacGregor 72), O'Halloran (Sampson 59), Kellett (Proudfoot 72) (Unused substitutes: Fielding)

How old?

[TKIZ!]

I'm more concerned about Proudfoot who's 72. Our youth policy is shocking

[Nobbys Belly]

Take it Navarro has been sent packing then?

[officer_dibble]

LAncaster City are part timers aren't they? Perfan will know

4-1 is embarrassing if so!

[mnolan1]

istr Lancaster City's home and away kit in (I think) 2006 was our 2005 home and away kit with their badge slapped on over ours, the robbing gets.

[boltonboris]

istr Lancaster City's home and away kit in (I think) 2006 was our 2005 home and away kit with their badge slapped on over ours, the robbing gets.

Not quite.. It was the same colour and design as our sky blue away kit.. But that's their club colours and Reebok used to be quite generous with their donations to LCFC

[Salford Trotter]

There were only 4 starters for this game that started the Chorley game but without doubt a really bad day at the office, not sure about Navarro but will ask my contact and get back.

[Lofthouse Lower]

I find 'stiff's to be highly insulting, and require you to change it henceforth and forthwith else I shall tell teacher x