Two jinking runs into the Bolton area by Robbie Mustoe frustrated by sprawling
Two jinking runs into the Bolton area by Robbie Mustoe, frustrated by sprawling bodies, summed up the visitors’ plight.Phillips recognised that the midweek’s exertions had played a part in Bolton’s patchy performance. They began to use the grassier flanks, pushing John Hendrie into a wider role.The level of urgency was stepped up, but the territorial supremacy left Middlesbrough occasionally vulnerable on the counter-attack. Middlesbrough’s only real threat of the first half was a bobbling shot from player-manager Bryan Robson, who had been largely anonymous until that point, which struck the base of the post after squeezing through a packed area.Robson was substituted at the interval and the close control of his replacement, Jaime Moreno, created more time for Middlesbrough invention. His cross was whipped into no-man’s land, Middlesbrough were hesitant and Mixu Paatelainen stabbed home at the far post.A similar plot, with Jimmy Phillips the provider, saw a Jason McAteer shot saved well. The heavy pitch was not conducive to a flowing game and the early Middlesbrough tactics of containing the game in a crowded midfield also resulted in precious few moments of quality in the first half.Bolton’s threat came from two quarters, the intricacy and delayed runs of Richard Sneekes, and the left foot of Alan Thompson, who was allowed far too much room on the left flank by the full-back Neil Cox.It was predictable when the Bolton goal came from the Thompson supply- line. The full-throttle commitment, and consequent lack of finesse, was typical of a cup tie – and Bolton are a difficult side to beat in those circumstances.
The visitors dominated the second half, but a sturdy Wanderers’ defence held firm, despite a succession of tense goalmouth scrambles. This was a must-win game for the home side if they were to reduce the gap between themselves and second-placed Middlesbrough.
The prospects of entering the Premiership land of milk and honey matters just as much as their cup exploits. THE roar of relief which greeted the final whistle was as equally heartfelt as the midweek Burnden Park celebrations, when Bolton reached the Coca-Cola Cup final. This spurred Wednesday, but not much.Andy Sinton missed by inches after a thrusting run and Michael Williams blazed over from 25 yards, but these opportunities merely begged the question of the whereabouts of Wednesday’s supposed strike force.Wimbledon reverted to 4-4-2 and were never likely to yield the lead Nobody shone for them, nobody let them down It was Wednesday’s lowest crowd of the season It may not remain so.. It followed their first corner of the match, which Wednesday failed to clear properly.
The ball eventually arrived at Barton and his cross got through to Alan Reeves, who obliged from 10 yards. They absorbed and occasionally counter-attacked, most effectively through Warren Barton, though never in numbers and not with much conviction.They scored in the 63rd minute and if the goal was not against the run of play it was hardly with it. Wednesday were reliant on him, almost lazily so, but after a delicately judged left-foot shot which struck the bar in the 28th minute his influence diminished as the match waned.This was not all Wednesday’s fault. With so many packing the centre circle and the area immediately behind it, Wimbledon might have been more adventurous but that is not their way.
