Hobbs goes from villain to hero for Bolton

Posted Wednesday, January 30, 2019 by PA

Jack Hobbs went from villain to hero to rescue a point for Bolton in their 1-1 Championship relegation draw against Reading at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Nelson Oliveira had marked his Royals debut by netting a 74 minutes penalty -his first goal in nearly 12 months – after Hobbs felled Garath McCleary.

But with the visitors heading for only their second win under manager Jose Gomes, Hobbs headed in his first goal for the club to equalise.

That earned Trotters boss Phil Parkinson a welcome respite after fans turned against him midway through the second period.

Parkinson had urged fans to create a positive atmosphere after mass protests aimed at chairman Ken Anderson in their previous home game against West Brom.

A fragile peace broke out until he took off full league debutant, Luca Connell who had been outstanding until his withdrawal for fellow youngster, Joe Pritchard.

So, when Oliveira scored from the spot shouts of ‘sacked in the morning’ rang out from the home faithful.

Wanderers though plugged away and Hobbs headed in to keep both sides in the bottom three.

Reading set the tone for the first half with John Swift earning a corner in the opening couple of minutes.

Reading then squandered a great chance to break the deadlock after 10 minutes.

Chris Gunter whipped a cross to the back post, Modou Barrow knocked the ball into the six yards box only for Oliveira to head wide.

Jason Lowe tried his luck from 20 yards when Wanderers managed to keep the ball long enough to fashion a chance.

Debutant keeper Emilio Martinez was at full stretch to push away a superb Craig Noone cross as Clayton Donaldson moved in to apply the finishing touch.

Donaldson produced a more vital intervention in his own six yard area, clearing off the line from Liam Moore’s header.

Bolton’s best bit of build-up play fashioned a shooting chance for Sammy Ameobi. Centre half David Wheater was twice involved as he broke out from his own half.

The big defender’s final touch was a neat lay-off to former Newcastle man Ameobi who curled a left foot shot from 20 yards into the arms of Martinez.

Reading responded with Andy Yiadom creating an opportunity which Aluko put wide from 10 yards. Oliveira then neatly skipped away from Taylor but blasted a right foot chance high into the north stand.

Bolton started the second half on the front foot and almost went in front against the run of play. Noone’s left footed centre picked out Gary O’Neil only for the midfielder to head onto the top of the net.

Four minutes later Wanderers went close again as youngster Connell’s shot from 25 yard forced Martinez into a save.

Then O’Neil curled an effort from the edge of the box saved easily by the Reading keeper.

Remi Matthews saved well from Barrow after 66 minutes before Parkinson’s decision to substitute promising Connell.

Wanderers complained bitterly about referee Scott Duncan’s penalty award and Oliveira held his nerve to score. That looked set to be the winner until Hobbs turned late pressure into an equaliser.