Playoff-chasing Bolton Wanderers defeated Cambridge United 2-1 at the Cledara Abbey Stadium during this evening’s Sky Bet League One match.
After the match was postponed due to bad weather, a determined United team led by one goal at halftime. However, Bolton’s talent was evident in the second half, which saw the home team finish with ten players as tensions reached an all-time high.
In the fifth minute, Jack Stevens was alerted by the visitors when Jon Dadi Bodvarsson ran off the back of Ryan Bennett and blasted a low shot at him. Stevens recovered in time to stop Carlos Mendes Gomes from scoring on the rebound.
Throughout the game, United’s organizational discipline and work rate were crucial components, and it was these two traits that produced the game-winning goal with eight minutes remaining.
Although Bolton is renowned for being among the best teams in the division at building up from the back, Sullay Kaikai caught them off guard on this particular occasion. After regaining possession deep in the opposition’s territory, Kaikai drove into the box and saw his cross/shot loop into the net after taking a strong deflection off Wanderers defender Eoin Toal.
Kaikai was leading the attack for United, fresh off a goal and an assist against Carlisle United over the weekend. Josh Sheehan fouled him just outside the box after his strike in the 14th minute forced Wanderers goalkeeper Joel Coleman to make a save. The ensuing free kick from Danny Andrew stayed low and was threatening, but Coleman did well to hang on.
Bolton enjoyed possession of the ball, as was to be expected, but despite their dominance, they were unable to break through a resolute United defense. This frustrated Ian Evatt, the manager of the team, who was forced to lament a lack of quality in some of the final decisions.
