From the official site:

RESERVE REPORT: BOLTON WANDERERS 0 CHELSEA 1

Posted on: Tue 23 Aug 2011

Summary

Dermot Drummy's reserves continued their winning start to the 2011/12 season following a competitive encounter against Bolton away from home. The hosts put in a strong defensive performance to hold the Blues at bay until late in the second-half, when a Josh McEachran strike sealed the win.

Chelsea went into the game on the back of a 3-2 win over Sunderland while Bolton lost 2-1 away to Swansea in their opening game of the campaign. The performance saw a strong defensive display from both sides, while Chelsea's full-backs, Todd Kane and Patrick van Aanholt pushed up the flanks throughout the 90 minutes.

Overall it was a good attacking display from Chelsea, who dominated possession throughout the fixture. The only factor preventing more Chelsea goals was the Bolton keeper Jay Lynch, who made a number of vital saves. At the other end, Bolton hit the woodwork twice in quick succession early in the first-half but otherwise struggled to break passed Chelsea's composed defence.

Team news

Sam Hutchinson returned to Chelsea's second string in defence. The defender had announced his retirement last season but has been training a few days a week in preparation for his coaching badges and has been involved in some practice games to gauge how much physical loading he can take before actually playing at any level going forward.

Also in the starting line-up was Josh McEachran, who started in a midfield trio alongside Conor Clifford and Jacob Mellis. Captain Nathaniel Chalobah partnered Hutchinson in central defence, while Todd Kane lined-up on the right flank, with Patrick van Aanholt on the left. In goal sat Jamal Blackman.

Marko Mitrovic played a central role in the forward three and Billy Clifford started on the right wing. Kaby Djalo completed the starting XI on the left-wing.

First-half

Chelsea started brightly and it was Mellis who would take the first shot, drilling across the face of goal after McEachran set up the midfielder with a clever through ball.

Blackman was called into action moments later, blocking a Michael O'Halloran shot after the Bolton player intercepted a C Clifford pass after eight minutes. The Chelsea shot-stopper came out towards the edge of the box to close down O'Halloran and deflect his eventual shot out for a corner.

McEachran cleared that set piece but moments later Mark Connolly hit the bar from 30 yards after Chalobah was dispossessed on the left flank. The woodwork would prove vital to Chelsea staying level only a minute later when O'Halloran also skimmed the bar from an acute angle.

Despite their chances, Chelsea dominated Bolton in terms of possession and it wasn't long before Mellis was shooting at goal once more, this time forcing a strong save from 20 yards.

Chelsea continued to pressure as the 25 minute mark passed and Kane struck from 20 yards to force a corner. But following that promising play from the Blues and uneventful period of football ensued. Meanwhile, a composed Hutchinson and Chalobah partnership prevented Bolton from threatening Chelsea's goal.

There wouldn't be another chance on goal until the dying minutes of the half, when Mitrovic won a freekick 25 yards out and Van Aanholt drilled the set piece into Bolton's wall.

The final kick of the half was another opportunity for Chelsea to find the net, when Mellis threaded a ball into the box for McEachran. The midfielder's first touch put the ball beyond the keeper's reach and out wide.

Second-half

Chelsea started well in the second-half and were soon threatening Bolton's goal when Mitrovic broke into the box only to be dispossessed before C Clifford was brought down 25 yards out. Tom Eckersley was shown yellow for the late challenge.

McEachran took the subsequent freekick but his shot hit the wall. Moments later, Mellis worked hard to break into the box, following a good one-two with B Clifford but his close-range drive was blocked.

Tope Obadeyi was proving troublesome down Bolton's left flank but Kane was on hand to track back and block several crosses. Obadeyi was the main contributor to Bolton's offensive play early in the second-half but the hosts were unable to build on their possession around Chelsea's box.

Just before the hour mark, C Clifford shot over the bar from just inside box, after B Clifford lay the ball off for the midfielder. Minutes later, Hutchinson kept the scores goalless when he blocked an Obadeyi shot before scissor-kicking the ball from danger.

Up front, B Clifford continued to provide dangerous passes, his next was a through ball for Mitrovic, whose first touch took the ball past the defender and into the box. He wasn't able to get a shot away but did pull the ball back for Kane, only for the resultant effort to be denied. Mitrovic would have one more shot on goal five minutes later, which he drilled straight at the keeper, before making way for Aziz Deen-Conteh.

Then, following another uneventful period of football, McEachran put the Blues in front. With seven minutes left on the clock, McEachran dispossessed Mark Connolly 25 yards out from goal before dribbling into the box and expertly slotting passed Lynch.

B Clifford and Deen-Conteh would both have late chances in front of the net but Lynch was able to deny Chelsea a second and the game ended 1-0 to the travelling side.

The manager

'It was a fantastic team performance, the midfield worked how we wanted them to work and all the players performed to the best of their ability,' said Drummy after the game.

'I was really proud of the boys, the game took a lot of endeavour and we stayed strong and won through. We're really pleased. Todd Kane was getting forward all the time and so was Patrick van Aanholt, we were really pleased with their attacking play. We just have to be careful that they don't push forward all the time and are aware of their defensive responsibilities.

'Josh McEachran had a really good game as well. He's crafty, he hits people when their off balance and nicks balls, which he proved today for the goal. He's a joy to watch and it was a great finish.'

Chelsea (4-3-3): Jamal Blackman; Todd Kane, Sam Hutchinson, Nathaniel Chalobah © (George Saville 92), Patrick van Aanholt; Jacob Mellis, Conor Clifford, Josh McEachran; Billy Clifford, Marko Mitrovic (Aziz Deen-Conteh 76), Kaby Djalo.

Unused subs Mark Beeney, Carl Magnay, Rohan Ince.

Bolton Wanderers (4-4-2): Jay Lynch; Nathan Battersby, Mark Connolly ©, Tom Eckersley(Alex McQuade 84), Andy Kellett; Oluwasanmi Odelusi (Dino Fazlic 65), Josh Vela, Adam Blakeman (Graeme MacGregor 62), Tope Obadeyi; Jack Sampson, Michael O'Halloran.

Unused subs Lewis Fielding, Lewis Proudfoot.

LINK

Fantastic to see Sam played a full 90. I know that he and everyone at Chelsea will want to keep it all low key and keep expectations low but getting through 90 mins competitive football is a great sign that he is up to a fair amount of physical loading. Let's hope he feels good in the 2 or 3 days following tonight's workout. Fingers crossed.

Also good to read about Josh playing like a first teamer guesting in the reserves. I wonder if 90 mins on a Tuesday has a positive or negative effect on his chances of starting on Saturday? I predict another bench warming session awaits him.

Edited August 23, 201113 yr by Snedger

It's good to hear sam completed a full 90 mins,hopefully, a sign of good times ahead.

I guess it's time for PVA to go out on loan,he needs first team football.

Everton were ther last night to look at PVA with a view to a season long loan.