CITY 2 BOLTON WANDERERS 0
Nationwide League Division 1
5th April 2000
attendance 32,927
scorers Horlock(18), Dickov(23)
Ref P Taylor
City Weaver, Edghill, Jobson, Prior, Tiatto, Jeff Whitley, Wiekens, Horlock, Kennedy, Dickov, Goater – subs Granville(72), Mills(50), Bishop(unused), Pollock(unused), Wright(unused)
Bolton Jaaskelainen, O’Kane, Fish, Warhurst, Whitlow, Johansen, Jensen, Elliott, Johnston, Holdsworth, Gudjohnsen – Subs Phillips(28), Hansen(57), Nolan,(74), Farrelly(unused), Passi(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
DICKOV MAKES BOLTON SUFFER
JOE ROYLE, the Manchester City manager, was more than happy to meet Bolton Wanderers just four days after their exertions in the FA Cup semi-final, and the reasons for his contentment were justified at Maine Road last night. In suffering crucial lapses of concentration, Bolton’s chances of reaching the Nationwide League first-division play-offs became slimmer still, while City , in regaining second place, enhanced their claims for automatic promotion. Forgiveness and hope had characterised the early stages for Bolton. Dean Holdsworth, pilloried for his profligacy against Aston Villa at Wembley last Sunday, received a warm welcome from the visiting fans and responded by forcing a save from Nicky Weaver from a long-range free kick. It was soon apparent, however, that the only real threat that Bolton posed was to themselves, in defence. Although they will claim that an offside decision should have been given against Paul Dickov early in the move, there was no excuse for the lack of marking as Kevin Horlock latched onto Dickov’s pass to put City ahead after 18 minutes.
City ‘s second goal arrived four minutes later and owed much to the touch of Spencer Prior, the defender. He flicked a loose ball from a corner to the far post, where Dickov connected with a splendid volley. Thus beckoned City ‘s third successive victory, a situation that Bolton could not avert in the remainder of the contest. Mark Kennedy came closest to extending City ‘s lead when he hit a post from an acute angle after 66 minutes. STEPHEN WOOD WRITING FOT THE TIMES 6TH APRIL 2000
