- Date:2008-08-30
- Kick-off:15:00
- Venue:Reebok Stadium
- Attendance:20387
- Referee:Stroud, K
Live Commentary
90mins
Full-Time: BOLTON 0-0 WEST BROM. Albion will regret their missed chances and should have earned their first three points of the season.
90mins
MacDonald loses possession on the edge of the box there and that is just inexperience and Davies wins a free-kick for Bolton that they will launch into the box from their own half.
89mins
It goes into the box, Shittu flicks the ball on and Davies pokes it home but the flag is up once again to deny Davies the winning goal. Looking at the replay, once again it is the correct decision.
88mins
Kevin Davies goes down under Zuiverloon's challenge and Bolton have another free-kick which Riga will deliver from about 30 yards.
86mins
The ball in from Riga, Nolan chests down for McCann who's shot is blocked. It fell back to Nolan who's shot was well saved by Carson and Davies tucked away the re-bound but the goal is rightfully chalked off as Davies was offside.
85mins
Bolton managing to earn a corner and they could snatch it here - Gardner delivers but Ishmael Miller wins the header and clears the danger.
83mins
Albion have a corner and they are really on top now - Greening to deliver and the heads go up but play is stopped as Keith Stroud awards Bolton a free-kick in the box.
82mins
James Morrison breaking past the defenders on the left hand side running to the by-line and pulling it back to Miller in the box but he puts the shot over the bar. That's two golden opportunities he has squandered now.
79mins
Replays seem to suggest that Kim's shot was past the line went it bounced down off the bar and should have been awarded.
78mins
Kim Do-Heon picked the ball up from range and fired the shot and Jaaskelainen was beaten all ends up but it thumped off the crossbar down to Ishmael Miller and he looked certain to finish it but Jaaskelainen got to his feet to make another save.
77mins
Excellent defending from Zuiverloon taking it away from Samuel who was running down the flank - McDonald gets the ball and goes very direct and in the end West Brom win a throw-in.
73mins
A scare for West Brom after a high cross is missed by Zuiverloon but thankfully for Tony Mowbray's side Scott Carson gathers it quickly.
71mins
A wasteful free-kick from Jonathan Greening from a good position far too deep and it goes for a goal-kick. The captain needs to provide better delivery from those sort of positions.
70mins
The final change for West Brom as Sherjill MacDonald comes on to play in a wide position and it is Robert Koren who makes way for him.
70mins
Scott Carson looking more composed in the second period as he comes out to gather a deep cross from Riga with confidence.
69mins
As we get into the final twenty minutes of this game it seems as though something has got to give if either side are going to conjure up a winning goal.
67mins
Kim picking out Morrison just inside the box in a wide position and the youngster looking to fire it back across the goal but caught in two minds as to shoot or cross and in the end he does neither and the ball goes for a goal kick.
66mins
Samuel doing well on the wing to find some space and deliver a vicious cross onto the head of Kevin Nolan who headed wide from close range. He should have done better with that and the skipper will know it.
65mins
Substitue Marek Cech caught in possession and it is vital for him to get up to pace with this game quickly or he will continue to give the ball away in the midfield.
62mins
Mustapha Riga curls the free-kick beautifully round the wall but Carson dives across to make an excellent one handed save to prevent the ball from finding the top corner.
62mins
Robinson is cautioned and it can only be assumed that it is for his continued complaints over the decision.
61mins
Controversy for referee Stroud to deal with - Robinson making what looked like a good tackle right on the edge of the box and Riga went tumbling into the box but Stroud has given a free-kick.
60mins
What a chance for Ishmael Miller, in behind the Bolton defence after a great ball from Robinson, he controlled it well and tried to apply the finish sent it over the bar. Should have scored.
58mins
Marek Cech is coming on in the West Brom midfield and Valero makes way after an impressive debut.
56mins
Another Bolton set-piece after Samuel was fouled by Koren on the left hand side - Can Bolton make this count - Riga to deliver right-footed, it's deep to the back post once again but the second ball is cleared.
54mins
Good defensive efforts from West Brom who continue to force Bolton back to their defence but the centre-halves adopt a typical Bolton tactic and launch it back towards Davies up top but West Brom as of yet are dealing with the danger.
52mins
Both of these sides crashed out of the League Cup to League One opponents in midweek and desperately need a win today to boost confidence in the dressing room.
51mins
Bolton putting the Baggies under pressure but it is cleared to Morrison who launches a counter with a great cross-field ball to Kim on the left flank but the cross isn't good enough and Samuel hooks it clear.
49mins
A suprise strike from range from Ricardo Gardner that just squirmed past the post of Carson's goal who was caught off guard by the early strike.
49mins
A potentially dangerous set-piece for West Brom, delivered by Greening from the right-flank - The ball found Zuiverloon who didn't get over the ball and sent it over the top.
47mins
Early danger coming from Gardner who found space in behind Hoefkens and crossed well but the forwards were unable to find the finish.
46mins
The second period is underway here at a far less than full Reebok stadium - Who will push on to take the points in the next forty-five minutes.
46mins
The injured Abdoulaye Meite comes off replaced by Carl Hoefkens who will slot in at right-back with Zuiverloon pulling in to centre-half.
45mins
Half-Time: BOLTON 0-0 WEST BROM. The half-time whistle goes on a half that has seen many tough tackles and some good football from the visitors with Bolton looking a threat from set-plays as always.
43mins
To be honest this game has witnessed more than a few 'tasty' tackles some legal and some far from it - Nolan lucky to get away with a high one just moments ago which could have seen him off.
41mins
A nasty double-footed tackle from McCann to attempt to win a bouncing ball but he took out Barnett and it was certainly enough to earn a caution from Keith Stroud.
39mins
A nice piece of play in midfield from Bolton and McCann found himself with room 30 yards from goal and elected to shoot and made a mess of it. Perhaps he should have taken it on a few more yards.
37mins
Bolton are given a very soft free-kick against Paul Robinson - Gardner to take, left-footed and headed away by Robinson and Valero launches a counter but once again Samuel scuppers Miller's attempts to drive into the box.
34mins
Good defending from Samuel after McCann was caught in possession and Miller ran into the box but the full-back made a great saving tackle.
33mins
Nolan is cautioned for a foul on Jonathan Greening - A touch late, Nolan feels hard done by but a lot of referees would have done the same.
32mins
James Morrison working hard in the midfield and getting on the ball very often - Great build up with one-two passing carving up Bolton and Valero hit the shot but it was saved by Jaaskelainen to deny what would have been a great goal.
29mins
Bolton need to sharpen up at the back as Miller finds space on the edge of the box again but as his volley flew well wide to the delight of the home fans.
27mins
A chance for Ishmael Miller as the bouncing ball broke into the box and both Miller and Jaaskelainen go for the ball and Miller comes off worse for wear as the Fin makes a good save.
26mins
West Brom starting to show a little bit of bite with a few long range efforts the latest coming from new signing Valero but Shittu covered the ground to make the block very well.
25mins
Ricardo Gardner twisting and turning his way to the by-line on the left side but as he tried to cross he lost his footing and skewed the cross into the outside of the post and out of the play.
23mins
West Brom's first real effort, Kim playing well on the left and found Morrison who fired a shot from long-range and Jaaskelainen was forced to make a fabulous save from the curling shot. A great effort matched by an even better save.
22mins
A corner delivered by Ricardo Gardner and Scott Carson once again stepped out and tried to catch but completely misjudged it but luckily Gretar Steinsson could not reach the high ball and it goes for a goal-kick.
18mins
The game is just starting to simmer a bit here - Carson making another mess of a cross from a wide position as he fumbled the ball behind him but thankfully he got back to gather before Davies could take it away.
16mins
Well, this is one of football's biggest problems at the moment. A free-kick delivered into the box and Carson came too far and made a mess of it and as it bounced the referee awards him a free-kick when he was impeded by noone at all.
15mins
The first strike of note comes from Nolan as he drove the ball through a crowd of players from range but it was straight into Scott Carson's arms and he gathered easily.
14mins
Joey O'Brien is replaced by Mustapha Riga after the midfielder seemed to suffer a head injury - let's hope it's not too serious.
12mins
Danger finally being shown from West Brom as the powerful Ishmael Miller stormed into the box and as he tried to get a shot away he has forced a corner for his side.
11mins
Wasteful play there from the visitors - Meite won the ball well and it looked as though they could launch a break-away but a poor pass strays out of play and Bolton resume possession.
9mins
Clever free-kick from Joey O'Brien just lifting it towards Davies but as Andy O'Brien was coming in behind the big forward he has forced a corner. The referee gives a free-kick to West Brom for pushing in the box as the corner is taken.
8mins
Muamba on the ball in a good spot and Gardner is making a break down the flank but he doesn't play him in when he should - As he turns he is fouled and it's another Bolton free-kick.
7mins
A nasty knock on the head for Steinsson as he challenged for a header and he is moving gingerly as he gets to his feet - Concerns for Megson but he should be ok.
4mins
An early free-kick for Bolton after Davies was brought down by Zuiverloon just outside the box - Nolan clips it in to the box but the stretching McCann couldn't quite reach the ball following in at the back post. A good chance there.
0mins
Referee Keith Stroud has got this one underway.
0mins
West Brom have also re-called key players Carson, Robinson, Zuiverloon and Miller and give a debut to record signing Valero in midfield.
0mins
Gary Megson has re-called Nolan, Davies and Andy O'Brien after resting them in midweek but Gary Cahill joins Johan Elmander on the injury list for the Wanderers.
0mins
West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Barnett, Robinson, Borja Valero, Koren, Greening, Morrison, Kim, Miller
0mins
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Andrew O'Brien, Shittu, Samuel, Joey O'Brien, McCann, Muamba, Gardner, Nolan, Davies
0mins
Welcome to the Reebok Stadium where Bolton Wanderers play host to West Bromwich Albion today. The visitors are looking for the first points of the season and on the back of a cup upset in midweek the home side will want to get back to winning ways.
Match Preview
Gary Megson will face one of his former teams when he leads current club Bolton Wanderers into action against West Bromwich Albion.
The Trotters boss spent three-and-a-half seasons in charge at The Hawthorns before being axed just weeks into the 2004-05 season following a souring of his relationship with the board.
Therefore his own history, coupled with last week's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United, will guarantee that the fiery Megson will be desperate to pick up the points on Saturday.
Another figure hoping for redemption will be captain Kevin Nolan after he missed a host of chances and a second-half penalty in the defeat at St James' Park.
Elsewhere, the Trotters will be without £11million record signing Johan Elmander (torn hamstring) and Matt Taylor (broken toe) after both limped out of the action last weekend.
Both missed the Carling Cup defeat against Northampton Town in midweek and are rated doubtful for the visit of the Baggies.
West Brom go in search of a first league win of the season at a ground where they have never won in the Premier League era.
Albion have lost to Arsenal and Everton in the opening weeks of the new season and, despite taking plenty of plaudits for their fighting displays in both encounters, they have garnered no points.
Last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Everton again highlighted the ability manager Tony Mowbray has at his disposal, but the Baggies will be hoping they can turn performances into points in the coming weeks.
Gianni Zuiverloon made his debut last weekend and looked composed at the centre of defence, but all eyes will be on new £4.75million signing Borja Valero.
The Spanish midfielder is expected to make his league debut on Saturday following his club record arrival from Real Mallorca last week.
Ivory Coast defender Abdoulaye Meite also faces a swift return to the club he left in a £2million deal two weeks ago.
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Match Report
Bolton Wanderers and West Brom were both cursing their luck after an entertaining clash ended in stalemate at the Reebok Stadium.
Bolton striker Kevin Davies had two late efforts ruled out for offside, while Baggies' Kim Do-Heon saw his 78th-minute thunderbolt rattle the underside of the crossbar before goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen brilliantly save Ishmael Miller's follow-up header.
Tony Mowbray's newly-promoted side were searching for their first win of the season, and they were guilty of wasting several gilt-edged chances to take all three points.
Both sides came into the game on the back of humiliating midweek Carling Cup defeats at the hands of Northampton and Hartlepool respectively.
But it was West Brom that went closest to taking the lead in an uninspiring first half when Jaaskelainen produced a stunning one-handed save to tip behind James Morrison's curling effort from 20 yards.
The Bolton keeper was back in action to deny Borja Valero after the Spaniard, a £4.7million signing from Real Mallorca, had burst into the area unchecked.
Gianni Zuiverloon should have given the visitors the lead five minutes after the restart but the Dutch Under-21 international headed Jonathon Greening's free-kick over from six yards.
The Baggies wasted another glorious opportunity to take the lead when Miller ran onto Paul Robinson's long ball over the top but the former Manchester City striker blazed over.
Bolton, and their fans, finally came to life when Scott Carson made a brilliant save to keep out Riga's free-kick which was flying in to the top corner on 63 minutes - and Kevin Nolan headed Jlloyd Samuel's cross wide minutes later.
But Gary Megson's side had a huge let-off when the impressive Morrison dragged his shot across the face of goal.
Kim was desperately unlucky not to give West Brom the lead with 12 minutes left, although they received a major let-off a minute later when Greening looked to have handled inside the area.
Davies then had the ball in the back of the net twice in the last four minutes - only for both efforts to be disallowed by the assistant referee's flag.
Bolton Wanderers Team
West Bromwich Albion Team
Bolton Wanderers | West Bromwich Albion |
Corners
| 7 | 5 |
Fouls
| 18 | 16 |
Goal attempts
| 18 | 12 |
Shots off target
| 9 | 4 |
Offsides
| 5 | 1 |



90mins
We're into injury time and Bolton have yet another free-kick, Riga delivers and Zuiverloon heads it clear. West Brom break through Miller who finds space and chips it into the box. McDonald shoots but O'Brien blocks and it's a corner.