Albion v Bolton - from The Amex (From The Argus)

4:58pm

Stunned, disbelieving silence around The Amex apart from the corner of Bolton fans.

4:57pm

Full-time

4:53pm

Bolton won a disputed corner but Bridcutt headed it away and then Hoskins combined with Buckley in a lightning counter which ended with Bogdan somehow turning behind Hoskins’ shot.

4:51pm

Hoskins went on for Mackail-Smith as the final change and he almost settled the contest in the first of five added minutes.

4:47pm

Bolton wanted a penalty when Kevin Davies went down in the area as a high ball was played in. But ref Haywood was happy enough to point for a goal kick instead.

4:43pm

Then Painter received a terrific ovation as he made way for Calderon.

4:42pm

Albion unleashed Crofts for the misfiring Barnes on 78 minutes while Bolton sent on Spearing for Ream.

4:35pm

Attendance: 26,455 (including 1,274 away fans) 

4:34pm

4:34pm

Ngog was now playing on the right of Bolton's attack with Butterfield and Eagles also looking to buzz around off Davies. This was how the visitors had been expected to line-up from kick-off and Albion were facing a test of their defensive discipline

4:32pm

Barnes was off target again when he lashed a shot well wide after Mackail-Smith had got him charging into the box.

Butterfield had perked the visitors up a bit. He was involved in a move which ended with Eagles getting in a low shot on 68 minutes which Kuszczak saved quite comfortably low to his right.

4:29pm

4:28pm

Butterfield, who forged himself a reputation as a long-range marksman at Barnsley, quickly took his chance to go for goal from 25 yards and his rising effort did not go too far over.

4:25pm

Albion were still pouring forward. A cry of "Shhoooottt" went up when Bruno got the ball 25 yards out on 65 minutes. But he played a neat pass to Orlandi who span away from a tackle and saw his left foot drive from the edge of the box fizz inches wide of the far post.

4:22pm

Bolton sent on veteran goalgetter Kevin Davies on the hour as they sought a way back into the game. Attacking midfielder Butterfield also joined the action with Pratley and Afobe making way.

4:21pm

Albion did not ease off after the goal and Orlandi had a great chance when a cross fell to him beyond the far post. but he was too casual with his volley and Bogdan was able to make the save.

4:12pm

4:11pm

Buckley again caused mayhem down the right and slid the ball inside to Barnes – ironically enough, on the penalty spot. But the striker mis-kicked horribly, a surprised Mackail-Smith right behind him was unable to profit and the ball ran to Hammond, whose clever chipped curler with the outside of his right foot dipped just past the far top corner.

4:07pm

So Albion needed a goal at their favoured north end if they were to make a breakthrough and it should have come in the second minute of the second half.

3:52pm

Greer had to make a timely intervention in his own box in the one minute of added time but the half-time chat was all about wasted chances and near misses at the other end.

3:47pm

Half-time

3:47pm

The increasingly greasy pitch caught out the Bolton defence as half-time loomed and gave Mackail-Smith the chance to get into the box and win another corner. But again it came to nothing.

3:42pm

3:42pm

3:41pm

A bemused Gus Poyet could do no more than turn towards the West Stand and smile ruefully after the latest near miss.

3:40pm

Albion struck the South Stand woodwork for the third time on 36 minutes. This time Buckley’s cross created danger. Orlandi headed it goalwards and Mackail-Smith’s header came back off the bar before Bolton scrambled the ball behind.

3:34pm

Eagles had switched flanks a couple of times and looked dangerous on the few occasions on which he got the ball. He was back on the left on the half-hour and skipped away from Bruno before clipping a menacing ball to the far post. Dunk turned it behind for a corner which the hosts defended capably.

3:33pm

3:28pm

Then Mackail-Smith produced a great first touch when a defensive header fell to him just outside the box. His assured control set up the chance for him to shoot left-footed from 20 yards but Bogdan dived to his right and held the effort.

3:26pm

3:25pm

Painter joined in the barrage but his drive from outside the box was high and wide.

3:24pm

Orlandi unleashed a fabulous left-foot curler from outside the box which beat Bogdan but smacked back off the far post. As the attack continued, Hammond had a go from distance and this time Bogdan pushed his effort on to the bar. 

3:22pm

The hosts struck the woodwork twice within a minute.

3:21pm

Bolton's fans behind that goal celebrated their escape - but the missed chance seemed to inspire Albion to step things up another gear.

3:20pm

Albion had a glorious chance to go ahead in the 15th minute after Mackail-Smith’s cross was handled. Barnes took the responsibility from the penalty spot and saw his effort saved to his right by Bogdan. Still it seemed Barnes would bury the rebound, but Bogdan blocked again and Albion were unable to force home the second rebound.

3:16pm

Eagles was expected to be a threat from distance and he let fly from 30 yards with a low effort which bounced just in front of Kuszczak. But the keeper got down to his right and did well to save and hold the effort as it skipped up off the greasy turf.

3:14pm

Mackail-Smith then scuffed a low effort tamely wide in the tenth minute after a nice combination with Orlandi.

3:11pm

Suddenly Albion sprang into life with a terrific pass by Hammond sending Buckley away down the right. His low cross was cut out at the expense of a corner which was only cleared as far as Bruno. But Bolton got bodies in the way when Orlandi cut back into the area and looked to tee up a colleague.
Bridcutt had the hosts’ first shot in the eighth minute after Bruno’s clever pass down the touchline had set Hammond moving. But the effort from outside the box flew well wide.
 

3:07pm

Rain had relented at kick-off time, but skies were grey. Bolton had all the early possession playing towards the North Stand. But there was no threat in the opening minutes.

3:01pm

Albion go North to South in the first half. Kick-off is seconds away.

3:00pm

2:57pm

2:57pm

2:57pm

That Bolton line-up caused a few eyebrows to be raised among the visiting press crops. Freedman has introduced a 4-2-3-1 system since arriving from Palace four games ago and they are expected to stick to that, despite the change of personnel. That means Ngog moving to the centre-forward role in place of Kevin Davies. Then an attacking line of three comprising Afobe, Pratley and Eagles.

2:54pm

It's about that time again....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iPZxIG087k

2:39pm

2:38pm

Main Albion team news sees Kuszczak return in goal after a finger injury. Full line-ups and team news have been posted elsewhere on this site.

2:37pm

Wet, chilly and very dark skies overhead. It's going to feel like an evening game here today. But Albion have been good under lights at The Amex this season!

2:35pm

It's Withdean weather at The Amex!