WANDERERS (4-2-3-1)
TYLER MILLER…7.
A couple of dodgy kicks aside, the American came up with a huge save in the second half and also diffused a few high crosses to take the pressure off.
OLIVER SMITH…7.5.
A surprise choice, perhaps, but it was easy to see why the 18-year-old has been tipped for big things. Composed and confident.
CYRUS CHRISTIE…6.5.
A solid first 45 minutes for the deadline day signing, who was moved to centre-back to reduce the running load in his first game back.
CHRIS FORINO…8.
Took out his frustration for not being in the league line-up in exactly the right way and produced a dominant performance at the heart of defence.
RICHARD TAYLOR…7.5.
Encouraging, particularly when he moved to the centre of defence in the second half. A couple of rusty moments on the ball but generally very solid.
AARON MORLEY..6.5.
The only player asked to go again after Saturday, and he helped keep a really solid shape in the second half with 10 men.
XAVIER SIMONS…7.
Used the ball beautifully at times and it was only moments of over-confidence that looked like they would be his undoing.
THIERRY GALE…5.5.
Wonderful goal, no question, but a daft moment before half time to leave his team-mates in the lurch. Thankfully, no harm done.
JOHN MCATEE…7.
Should have scored after breaking through in each half but his running was non-stop all game, and that helped keep Wanderers in the ascendancy.
MARCUS FORSS…6.5.
Might have grabbed a goal but there was some intelligent movement from the Finn which makes you think he could be a good addition to the front line.
SAM DALBY…6.5.
Unlucky to have been flagged offside for the first half goal and produced one wonderful flick on for McAtee. Solid first start.
Subs: Dacres-Cogley 7, 45 (for Christie) – Restricted the dangerous Kaleta and defended well.
Randall 6, 60 (for Dalby) – Really should have scored late on.
Erhahon 6, 60 (for Forss) – Worked hard off the ball.
Sharples-Ahmed 79 (for Simons), Warren 79 (for Smith).
Not used: Broome, Cissoko.
Rotherham United (3-1-4-2): Cann; Rafferty, Baptiste, Jules; Kelly; Holmes, Gore, Clarke, Kaleta; Hugill, McGuckin.
Subs: McWilliams 61 (for Gore), Richardson 61 (for Holmes), Powell 61 (for Baptiste), Ayres 88 (for Clarke).
Not used: Dawson, Yearwood, Duncan.
Referee: Andrew Humphries 6/10 – Got the red card right, no problems there, but the referee started to make some odd decisions as the game went on, not spotting that Rotherham were playing for free kicks and set pieces.
Attendance: 2,063
MAN OF THE MATCH – Chris Forino.
Some good individual performances but none more so than the big centre-half, who was back in the starting line-up. With Eoin Toal away on international duty he needs to have another big game against Wimbledon to really give his manager something to think about.
MOAN OF THE MATCH – Gale’s rash challenge could have turned this entire game on its head. Thankfully Rotherham lacked the quality to open up Bolton’s impressive defences in the second half.
MAGIC MOMENT – It would be easy to pick out Gale’s outstanding strike but of equal importance was the one-handed save from Miller in the second half which kept Bolton ahead.
ATMOSPHERE – It’s the first group game of the Vertu Trophy and the reported 132-strong travelling support looked like a very generous estimate. Pretty quiet at times.
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