Blackpool were beaten 2-0 in the Lancashire FA Professional Youth Cup Final on Wednesday evening, in a tight fixture at the County Ground, Leyland.
Two second half goals from Wanderers was the difference, as Matt Blinkhorn's U18's missed out on silverware by the slenderest of margins.
Bolton found themselves in on goal early on, as Oluchi Nwankwo’s misplaced back pass fell into the path of a Bolton forward. Some good last ditch defending from Ky-Mani Leliandal saw Pool concede a corner which came to nothing.
With five minutes gone, Blackpool had their first attempt on goal as Gabe Schluter found the space to shoot from distance. The effort was, however, well-saved by the Bolton goalkeeper.
In what was proving an even first half, Pool had a great opportunity on 30 minutes, catching Bolton out on the break with some great play. James Butterworth was in on goal but his shot went just wide of the far post.
Bolton had a scrappy effort on goal in the closing stages of the first 45 minutes but Blackpool shaded what was a fairly even half as the sides went in goalless.
HT: Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Blackpool
With the conditions taking a turn for the worse with the wind upping, it was proving a tough evening to gain any flow to the match. Theo Upton saw his long-range effort go over the bar five minutes after the restart, as Matt Blinkhorn’s side were looking for the opener.
Blackpool thought they should have had a penalty on the hour mark as there was a coming together in the box after a long ball forward from James Butterworth. The referee though, saw nothing in it.
A superb stop from Charlie Brier denied Bolton’s number nine on 65 minutes as Bolton were growing into the game.
On 77 minutes, it was Bolton who took the lead as Harrison Rice fired into the bottom corner as a corner kick was recycled, leaving Pool with just over ten minutes to get back into the game.
It wasn’t to be however, as Bolton grabbed a second five minutes later. Another good save from Brier pushed a long range shot away but into the path of Daeshon Lawrence who, from a tight angle, fired the ball into the net.
There was late drama as Bolton's Ambibola was shown a straight red card in the final stages, but it didn't matter ultimately as Bolton claimed the silverware.
FT: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Blackpool
Starting XI: Brier, Leliendal, Oshodi, Upton, Nwankwo, Elder, Mannix, Knight, Bondo, Butterworth, Schluter.
Subs: Mcveigh, Crowe, Williamson, Madu, Cox, Hunter, Wylezol.