FA Youth Cup Report: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Chester FC

Our FA Youth Cup journey came to an end despite a performance full of promise against Bolton Wanderers.

The young Seals started positively and pushed the hosts back in the early stages in Greater Manchester.

Luka Salvatore had the first major chance as he found space inside the Bolton box but headed on to the foot of the post from an acute angle in the seventh minute.

The Yellows’ number nine did get his goal shortly after though, when once again Salvatore found space in behind the hosts’ back line.

He took the chance with composure and slotted into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Luke Lomax.

The Trotters hit back in the latter stages of first period and equalised in the 36th minute through Tobias Ritchie.

The forward latched onto a loose ball in the away 18-yard box and finished with power past Cal Mackin in the Chester goal.

Mackin was called into action immediately after the interval and made a superb stop to deny Sonny Coyne’s drilled effort.

Sammy Dyer advanced from right wing-back to have the Seals’ first opportunity of the second-half but his powerful shot flew comfortably over the top.

The hosts took the lead with 13 minutes left on the clock courtesy of Lucas Kirkpatrick who drilled a powerful, low finish into the bottom corner.

Salvatore went close to a leveller late on as he slid a low strike just wide of the post.

Mackin pulled off another impressive stop in the dying embers of the contest to deny Ritchie from close-range.

Bolton held on to their narrow advantage late on to book their place in the Second Round.

Starting XI: C. Mackin, K. Power, Z. Abbott, H. Deakin, S. Dyer, L. Corbett, J. Ireland, C. Murphy, D. Kennedy, I. Bush, L. Salvatore.

Subs: J. Carroll, H. Edwards, A. Dixon, C. Forbes, J. Belski, H. Robinson, O. Cattermole.

Scorers: Salvatore 21′, Ritchie 36′, Kirkpatrick 77′.