Bolton 1 Blues 0 (zip nil nada!)

Trotters: Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, Faye, Ben Haim, Pedersen, Nakata (Okocha 53), Campo (Vaz Te 54), Speed, Giannakopoulos (Borgetti 86), Nolan, Davies.
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Jaidi.

Goals: Vaz Te 65.
Blues: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Martin Taylor, Bruce, Sadler, Johnson, Butt, Nafti (Kilkenny 71), Pennant, Heskey, Campbell.
Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Latka, Clemence, Painter.

Booked: Martin Taylor.

Att: 26,275

Ref: S Bennett

Blues line up was a Bruce speciality and was for most of us unfatomable. The unexplained absence of Forssell, Gray, Tebily, Cunningham and Jarosik left Blues with an eleven that would not have looked out of place on a wet Monday night at Damson Lane.

Considerably weakened,and an already injury ravaged side, Blues didn’t look too bad. In the first half they kept the Bolton cavalry charge back with competent defending and although having most of the possession couldn’t find that finishing touch.

Campbell in a rare start laid a beautiful pass across to Butt but on his swansong failed to control the ball with the goal gaping. Campbell was then set free by Butt but he was too eager and tried to beat Jaaskelainen from 25 yards when he would have done better to go in on goal with the Bolton defence back pedalling.

The second half saw Blues dominate possession but it was Taylor who had to make a couple of smart saves.
Campbell again was set loose but delayed his shot and was robbed and when he did get his shot in the Finnish keeper made a fine block. Campbell turned the rebound across the goal only for Heskey to miss the cross as it flew past an empty net.

The introduction of Vas te in particular and Okocha caused Blues to be stretched as Bolton were a little more deliberate in their approach. On 65 a delightful chip from Nolan beat a square Blues back line and Vas Te reacted quickest to side foot a volley past Taylor.

Blues continued to probe and pass the ball well but still they could not find their way to goal. After the defeat some of the players thanked the tree thousand fans,others did not.