By Mark Heys
September 21 2006

Bolton Wanderers reserves recorded their first win of the new season last night as they defeated arch rivals Manchester United at the County Ground. Matthew Cassidy scored the all important winning goal for the Trotters just before the half hour mark after latching onto a pinpoint pass from Polish youth international Blazej Augustyn.

Bolton had a number of youth academy scholars in their line up and it was noticeable that the host goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi was the only player on the pitch above 21 years of age.

The visitors tested Al-Habsi within the first quarter of an hour but that was as good as it got for the men from Old Trafford in the opening half. The Oman international did very well to keep out a low shot from Red Devils captain Danny Rose but chances in the game thereafter proved to be limited.

Australian Scott Jamieson and winger Chris Basham nearly found a way past United keeper Tom Heaton early in the second half but Cassidy's fine goal was to remain the only goal of the evening despite the best efforts of Ryan Shawcross to pull the Mancunians level late on.

A bright point for Bolton was the introduction of scholars David Gbemie and Tom Brooks for their reserve team debuts.

United had Bolton-born midfielder and Wanderers fanatic Sam Hewson in their line up and he was lining up against his hometown club for the first time at this level.

Bolton Wanderers Reserves: Ali Al-Habsi, Mark Charlesworth (David Gbemie), Danny Stott, Matt Cassidy, Mark Ellis, Blazej Augustyn, Chris Basham, Robert Sissons, Sam Sheridan, Nathan Wolfe (Tom Brooks), Scott Jamieson.

Subs Not Used: Michael Roddy, Sean Mountford, Przemyslaw Kazimierczak.

Manchester United Reserves: Tom Heaton, Kieran Lee, Danny Rose, Ryan Shawcross, Michael Lea, Richie Jones, Michael Barnes, Sam Hewson, Phil Marsh (Chris Fagan), Aaron Burns, Jamie Mullan.

Subs Not Used: Daniel Galbraith, Antonio Bryan, Ron Robert Zeiler.

Att: 296