Smith Stunner Secures Posh Home Success
Peterborough United made it four wins in four in all competitions and six wins in the last eight games after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the ABAX Stadium.Grant McCann's men made a lively start with a Maddison cross headed wide by Shaquile Coulthirst at the near post after a good run and pass initially from teenager Leonardo Da Silva Lopes.
Coulthirst was booked for blocking the throw-out from goalkeeper Howard on eight minutes. The goalkeeper was unable to continue and former Posh shot-stopper Ben Alnwick was introduced to a chorus of boos.
Coulthirst curled over the top after tricking his way into the box following an excellent pass from skipper Forrester on 16 minutes.
The deadlock was broken on 27 minutes and what a stunning goal it was, Leonardo Da Silva Lopes played a crossfield pass into the path of right-back SMITH, he took a touch inside and then rifled a stupendous volley past Alnwick and into the back of the net.
Clough fired wide from long-range on the half hour mark as the visitors tried to produce a swift response.
Forrester flashed a shot wide of the target on 35 minutes after linking well with Nichols. Maddison saw a curler well held by Alnwick before referee Mr Simpson brought an end to the first half.
Bostwick fired low with a free-kick on 51 minutes after Maddison was upended 25-yards from goal.
Clough dragged a shot wide of the near post on 57 minutes after a sustained spell of pressure from Phil Parkinson's men in the wintry sunshine.
Da Silva Lopes fired over from 45 yards after a poor clearance from Alnwick just after the hour mark.
McGee denied Vela moments later after Coulthirst was dispossessed in the centre of the pitch. Maddison fired wide on his right-foot after advancing into the box on 66 minutes, moments after Bolton had made their first change with Chris Taylor introduced.
Posh made a double change on 69 minutes with Paul Taylor and Lee Angol introduced in place of the hard-working Coulthirst and Nichols. Da Silva Lopes flashed a shot wide of the far post from 30-yards after collecting a quick throw in from Hughes.
Forrester squandered a good chance to make it 2-0 as he chose to try and take the ball around the keeper and overhit his touch before Da Silva Lopes fired over.
Paul Taylor was a whisker away from making it 2-0 after a swift counter attack, his fierce curler inches wide of Alnwick's left-hand post.
Posh: McGee, Smith, Hughes, Baldwin, Bostwick, Tafazolli, Forrester (sub Edwards 83min), Maddison, Coulthirst (sub Taylor 69min), Da Silva Lopes, Nichols (sub Angol 69min). Unused subs: Tyler, Edwards, Santos, Binnom-Williams, Moncur.
Bolton: Howard (sub Alnwick 8min), Wilson, Beevers, Vela, Clough, Madine, Trotter, Taylor, Ameobi (sub Henry 84min), Wheater, Thorpe (sub C. Taylor 66min). Unused subs: Buxton, Moxey, Procter, Osede,
Half-time: Peterborough United 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
Full-time: Peterborough United 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
Attendance: 4,780 (480 Bolton fans)