Bolton Wanderers 2 Harrogate Town 1: Advertiser player ratings

Harrogate Town suffered a fifth defeat in six League Two outings when they were edged out at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
George Thomson in action for Harrogate Town during Saturday's League Two loss to Bolton Wanderers. Pictures: Matt KirkhamGeorge Thomson in action for Harrogate Town during Saturday's League Two loss to Bolton Wanderers. Pictures: Matt Kirkham
George Thomson in action for Harrogate Town during Saturday's League Two loss to Bolton Wanderers. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

Here's an assessment of how Simon Weaver's players performed against the title-chasing Trotters.

James Belshaw 7 - Produced a very good save to deny Eoin Doyle one-on-one at 1-0. Once again let down by the players in front of him for both of Bolton’s goals.

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Warren Burrell 6 - The home team threatened down his side of the pitch on a number of occasions during the first and again after the interval. Stuck to his task and completed four tackles, though didn't offer much going forwards.

Town substitute Brendan Kiernan takes aim at the Trotters' goal.Town substitute Brendan Kiernan takes aim at the Trotters' goal.
Town substitute Brendan Kiernan takes aim at the Trotters' goal.

Will Smith 6 - Fairly dominant in his aerial battles with Doyle, winning six headers. Having been sold short by Connor Hall, he was unable to recover to prevent the Trotters’ number nine from slotting home what proved to be the winner.

Connor Hall 5 - Arguably Town’s player of the season, the centre-half has been as consistent as anyone this term, which makes the unforced error which gifted Bolton all three points so surprising. That moment spoilt an otherwise decent display.

Dan Jones 6 - Much, much better. Far less wasteful in possession and long throw-ins caused the opposition some problems on this occasion. Bolton got absolutely no joy down his flank, however having done well to dispossess Lloyd Isgrove initially, it was his failure to clear his lines which led to the hosts’ equaliser.

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George Thomson 7 - His third-minute chance on the edge of the box was by no means an easy one, but it was a big one - the type which a technician of his quality will feel he should have scored. Made a clever run for Town’s goal and was very good for half an hour. Tidy thereafter, contributing four key passes and eight crosses.

Josh Falkingham 7 - ADVERTISER STAR MAN. Three tackles and three interceptions, plus a pass completion rate of more than 71 per cent from the centre of the park. Organised those around him, worked hard and led by example in terms of his work on and off the ball.

Lloyd Kerry 7 - An excellent first 45. Involved in the build-up to the visitors’ goal and was superb out of possession as he pressed, harried and tackled. Had to be careful after being booked on 39 minutes and was replaced midway through the second period.

Josh McPake 6 - Started the afternoon superbly on the left wing and laid on two early chances for Thomson and Jack Muldoon. But, just as was the case against Port Vale last time out, he hardly touched the ball as the game wore on and faded out of the contest.

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Mark Beck 6 - Had some success during the opening half an hour, competing in the air and holding the ball up. Struggled to really impact proceedings after that. Would have had a goal had Gethin Jones not got there first to divert the ball into his own net.

Jack Muldoon 7 - Bent in a lovely right-wing cross to break the deadlock, the kind of delivery he would doubtless love to be able to attack himself. Movement was decent throughout, looked confident in possession and used the ball well.

Substitutes:

Jon Stead (on for Beck, 61) 7 - Made a huge impact from the substitutes’ bench. Used his body well to provide a focal point for the Harrogate attack and showed sone nice touches. The veteran saw one excellent header well saved, but was off-target with another chance that he should have done better with.

Ed Francis (on for Kerry, 67) 6.

Brendan Kiernan (on for McPake, 67) 6.

Ryan Fallowfield (on for Burrell, 83) N/A.

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