Sam + Joe have provided a match report for you, the radiowaves audience
On Wednesday 19th March 2008, we had the fantastic oppurtunity to get all the access that the professional journalists get, at the Manchester United vs. Bolton Wanderers match. We have done a match report on the game that we saw live, right in front of us!
The game started very lively with Manchester United trying to get the early goal to settle the physical Bolton side that manager Gary Megson had put out. Mannchester United had a few early chances and won a corner on the right hand side. The ball was crossed in and for a moment there was a 6 yard-box area. The ball dropped to the feet of Cristiano Ronaldo and obvisoulsy there was only one outcome, 1-0 to Manchester United, with a tight right-footed strike into the top left hand side of the Bolton goal. After the goal Manchester United kept the pressure on Bolton with a flurry of quick attacks. Nani was playing well out on the wings, crossing the ball in often and cutting inside to shoot. Bolton tried to hit United back with a few attacks of their own. Kevin Davies met a back post cross with a low strike yet it was saved by Tomasz Kuszczak. There was a contreversial two-footed tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo from Gavin McCann but as there was no injury the referee waved advantage to United. The half continued in this way with Manchester United using slick passing moves and Bolton working hard trying to retain possesion. Tevez had the final real chance of the half when he dribbled through the middle of the pitch and weaved his way to the outside of the penalty area where his shot was hit just over the bar. The second half came to an end with the score Manchester United 2-0 Bolton Wanderers.
The second half abruptly started at the same pace as the first with Manchester United starting with the possesion. They quickly won a free-kick 1 yard outside Bolton's penalty area. It all looked set for a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick goal but Nani quickly suprised the 74,000 strong crowd with a sharp shot which caused a magnificent save from Bolton keeper Ali Al-Habsi. Cristiano Ronaldo kept testing the Bolton defence with good runs towards Bolton's penalty box. Suprisingly, Bolton replied with a few attacks of their own with Kevin Davies had a low shot saved by Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszckak. Then, Bolton gained a free-kick a couple of yards outside United's penalty box on he right hand side. El Hadj Diouf took a quick free-kick to stun United which ended up in the back of the net. Was this the start of Bolton's second half comeback? Apparently not as the refeere disallowed the goal and forced a re-take. Diouf then missed the 2nd attempt. However, Bolton kept up their attacks with both full backs Mathew Taylor and Gavin McCann each having shots on the United goal with were both saved. The game went on like this with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani exploiting Bolton's back line whenever the full backs burst foward. The pick of the moments that put a smile on the United fans face's was when Nani cleverly slipped the ball through Mathew Taylor's legs then unfortunatley putting a poor cross in the box.
The game ended Manchester United 2 - 0 Bolton Wanderers. A satisfying result for Manchester United to put them clear at the top of the Barclays Premiership.
