Lancs Senior Cup: WANDERERS 1 - 0 Manchester United
CAPTAIN Matt Cassidy led from the front with the winning goal as Bolton's young reserve side beat Manchester United to reach the semi-final of the Lancashire Senior Cup at Leyland on Wednesday night.
Cassidy struck after 28 minutes to cap an impressive performance as Jimmy Phillips' young charges collected their first victory of the season.
The midfielder ran onto a fine ball from the back from Blazej Augusytn to burst through the centre of the visitors' defence and drill a powerful shot beyond Tom Heaton, who had sat on the bench at Old Trafford on Sunday for United's defeat by Arsenal.
Only midfielder Richie Jones had tasted senior action in the United side but this was still a notable victory for a Bolton line-up similarly lacking in first-team experience.
A disciplined and committed approach from Phillips' men meant that despite period of possession from United it was not until 12 minutes from the end that Bolton keeper Ali Al Habsi was forced to make a save, getting down to hold a low drive from Danny Rose.
Bolton found clear-cut chances almost as hard to come by on a blustery night at the County Ground but what opportunities were created largely came their way.
An early free-kick from Danny Stott almost played in Chris Basham but at full stretch the winger could not turn the ball in.
However, with Cassidy a constant driving force from midfield Bolton did not have to wait much longer to earn a lead they rarely looked like surrendering.
An outstanding defensive display kept United at arm's length and twice Bolton went close to extending their advantage after the break.
Firstly Basham again failed to make clean contact with a volleying chance before the lively Scott Jamieson curled in a free-kick which Heaton had to palm away from the top corner.
United finished strongly in search of an equaliser but their best chance came and went when big defender Ryan Shawcross headed over the bar.
Bolton: Al Habsi, Charlesworth (Gbemie 71), Stott, Cassidy, Ellis, Augustyn, Basham, Sissons, Sheridan, Wolfe (Brooks 75), Jamieson. Substitutes: Roddy, Mountford, Kazimierczak.
Manchester United: Heaton, Lee, Rose, Shawcross, Lea, Jones, Barnes, Hewson, Marsh (Fagan 69), Burns, Mullan. Substitutes: Galbraith, Bryan, Zeiler.
Attendance: 296
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