Report: Wednesday 1-2 Bolton

Wednesday’s poor run of form continued at Hillsborough on Saturday as Bolton Wanderers returned back across the Pennines with all three points.

Marcos Alonso fired the visitors ahead in the first half before Ross Barkley netted his first Owls goal from the penalty spot to get the hosts back on level terms on the resumption. They weren’t celebrating long, however, as Mark Davies hit a fine goal two minutes later to give the Trotters the spoils.

It was Bolton’s first away victory since relegation from the Premier League and was Wednesday’s fourth defeat on the spin.

Owls boss Dave Jones was critical of his side following their 3-1 Yorkshire derby defeat against Huddersfield Town in midweek and he made six changes to his team for the visit of Owen Coyle’s men.

Perhaps the biggest change was in giving Kieran Lee his Owls debut at right-back, with Joe Mattock suspended and Lewis Buxton injured. Anthony Gardner was fit to start at centre-back while Daniel Jones came in at left-back.

Jones opted with the midfield two of Rhys McCabe and Barkley, dropping Jose Semedo to the bench, while Rodri returned to partner Jay Bothroyd up front and Nejc Peckic also started.

They seemed to work early on as Wednesday started relatively well. Michail Antonio looked dangerous out wide and Barkley also saw a free-kick hit the post with a deflection off the Bolton wall.

Wanderers’ away form was poor coming into the contest but Davies tested Owls goalkeeper Chris Kirkland with a header early on.

Coyle’s side were starting to settle into their stride and had a glorious chance through Chris Eagles just before the half-hour to open the scoring only for the former Owls loanee to send his effort wide.

The momentum was building for the Lancashire side and David Ngog headed wide from close range before Bolton’s pressure paid off two minutes before half-time.

Eagles swung a corner kick into the danger zone and Alonso was on-hand to fire past Kirkland and put the visitors in front at the interval.

Half-Time: Wednesday 0-1 Bolton

The momentum continued Bolton’s way early in the second half and they came close to doubling their lead with Alonso this time the provider with a superb cross that just evaded the on-rushing Kevin Davies.

The Owls, who’d introduced Jose Semedo back into the fold at half-time, then brought on the speed of Jermaine Johnson just before the hour mark and they were soon back on level terms.

Keith Andrews felled Gardner inside the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Barkley stepped up and made no mistake to get the hosts level.

But, just with Wednesday keen to build on their goal, Wanderers hit back with a sucker-punch.

Davies was the architect and goalscorer, weaving his way through two challenges before unleashing a superb strike beyond Kirkland and into the back of the net.

The Owls tried to get back on level terms for a second time with Barkley firing a shot wide and Antonio also trying his chances with a mis-timed header but, despite a late Owls rally, Bolton hung on relatively comfortable to travel back across the Pennines with the points.

Full-Time: Wednesday 1-2 Bolton

Wednesday: Kirkland, Lee, Taylor, Gardner, Jones, Antonio, Barkley, McCabe (Semedo 46), Pecnik, Bothroyd (O`Grady 75), Rodri (J Johnson 57). Unused substitutes: Bywater, Beevers, Llera, Madine.

Bolton: Bogdan, Mears, Alonso, Mills, Eagles, Andrews (Pratley 90), Ngog (Afobe 66), Knight, M Davies, K Davies, Spearing. Unused substitutes: Lonergan, Petrov, Warnock, Ricketts, Lee .