Bolton 0-0 Wigan: Match Report

29 January 2011 17:34
Battling Wigan earn cup replay Wigan manager Roberto Martinez saw his side shrug off their poor league form and force an FA Cup fourth-round replay at the Reebok Stadium as they held Bolton to a 0-0 draw. Martinez made eight changes to the team that lost at Aston Villa, and his young players did him proud. In fact, veteran goalkeeper Mike Pollitt had a quiet afternoon as Bolton again struggled to test the opposition defence. Former Middlesbrough defender David Wheater made his debut for Bolton, replacing Gary Cahill, who was on the bench. Wheater partnered Zat Knight at the back. He was one of three changes to the side that lost 4-0 to Chelsea, with Sam Ricketts and Mark Davies recalled. Wigan showed little resemblance to the team that went down at home to Villa. Only Emmerson Boyce, Maynor Figueroa and James McArthur retained their places, with Pollitt in goal as on-loan Ali Al Habsi was not allowed to face his parent club. Bolton almost made the perfect start when Kevin Davies flicked the ball on to Johan Elmander, but his effort was diverted over the crossbar. Wigan again found themselves on the back foot and Matt Taylor tried to pick out Martin Petrov at the back post, but he put too much weight on the pass. The visitors responded and Victor Moses skipped around goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, only to send his shot into the side netting. In the 11th minute, Moses got on the end of a ball from Jordi Gomez but strayed marginally offside. Then five minutes later, Moses again found space but his effort was deflected to safety by Wheater. Callum McManaman got on the end of a cross from Moses in the 23rd minute and Paul Robinson was on hand to clear his lines. Gomez tried his luck from 25 yards in the 28th minute but Jaaskelainen got down quickly to make the block and keep his side on level terms. Four minutes later, Bolton surged forward and Elmander released Petrov but the former Manchester City winger sent his effort wide of the post. Bolton had some momentum now and Petrov rattled in a shot in the 35th minute but Ben Watson was perfectly positioned to make the block. Two minutes before the break, Watson took a free-kick that was well delivered but again Jaaskelainen came to Bolton's rescue by clearing with his legs. Wheater marked his debut by being booked for a needless handball three minutes into the second half. He then began to play with fire, bringing down Diame. Watson took the free-kick and hit it sweet and true, only for Jaaskelainen to save at his near post. Wigan were looking good on the counter-attack and McManaman rattled in a shot a minute later that was blocked by Davies. Bolton manager Owen Coyle then brought on Rodrigo Moreno and Robbie Blake in the 62nd minute for Taylor and Petrov. However, it was Wigan who stepped up the pace, as McManaman found space down the right and delivered the ball into the area. Moses was off balance and attempted an overhead kick that failed to make contact. Blake was quickly into the action and saw his shot blocked before play switched back down the other end and Wheater was on hand to divert a shot from Moses to safety. Wigan came close to taking the lead when a shot from McManaman was superbly turned away by Jaaskelainen in the 75th minute after a slight deflection. Bolton hit back and substitute Stuart Holden sent Rodrigo clear and he delivered a cross that was turned away at the back post with Blake on hand to take advantage of any mistake. A minute later, Wheater squandered a glorious chance giving Bolton the lead when he stabbed a shot wide of the post. Jaaskelainen was again called on to save Bolton turning away an inswinging free kick from Gomez as the game finished level.

Bolton 0-0 Wigan: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.

Source: DSG