City's EDS lose out at Bolton in latest EFL Trophy clash

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Manchester City F.C.

·23 settembre 2025

City's EDS lose out at Bolton in latest EFL Trophy clash

City’s Elite Development Squad lost out 3-0 to an experienced Bolton Wanderers in Tuesday's latest EFL Trophy Group E clash.

On what proved a difficult night at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, the game was effectively won inside the first half hour.

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The hosts registered three quickfire strikes through Sam Dalby (nine minutes), John McAtee (15) and Aaron Morley (25) to seize control.

Backed by some superb and passionate backing from a sizeable group of travelling City fans, Ben Wilkinson’s youngsters never stopped seeking to take the game to Bolton, especially after the break, but that first half treble proved an insurmountable hurdle to overcome.

The result leaves City in second place in Group E with three points from two games. Bolton lead the way with six points from their opening brace of matches.

What happened

The clash on a perfect night, the Toughsheet Community Stadium brought together the two sides who had made an ideal start to their EFL Trophy campaigns with victory apiece in their opening Group E games.

For Wilkinson’s youngsters, it was another priceless opportunity to test their mettle away to experienced senior opposition, in this case Steve Schumacher’s impressive League One side.

City were also backed by a healthy and vociferous away following which helped bring an extra edge of atmosphere to the occasion.

But it was the hosts who drew first blood on nine minutes with their first meaningful attack.

A neat inside pass by Cyrus Christie bisected the City defence and put in John McAtee behind our backline.

There was still work to do, but the Wanderers man, elder brother of former City star James McAtee, evaded keeper Jack Wint’s challenge and fed the waiting Sam Dalby who netted into the empty target.

It was tough on the Blues who then suffered another setback when the hosts made it 3-0 on 25 minutes.

Again, Bolton found vital space on the edge of the City box with Aaron Morley letting fly from 18-yards and seeing his shot deflect past a helpless Wint off Luke Mbete.

The City youngsters sought to keep playing our brand of progressive football and produced several promising moments after the break.

A teasing cross by Femi Fapetu almost caught out Bolton keeper Tyler Miller whilst a fine 54th-minute run and turn from Mahamadou Sangare ended with the City strike seeing a fizzing 15-yard effort whistle just the wrong side of the target.

Only the post then denied Justin Oboavwoduo after he unleashed a fearsome effort from just inside the box, whilst substitute Ryan McAidoo brought out a smart 76th-minute save from Miller with the City youngsters battling until the end and peppering the hosts' goal.

How we lined up

Jack Wint was in goal for City and shielded by a back four of Harrison Parker, Jadel Katongo, skipper Luke Mbete and Christian McFarlane.

Femi Fapetu was the holding midfielder with Floyd Samba and Justin Oboavwoduo also in the engine room.

Mahamadou Sangare was City’s attacking focal point with Ashton Muir and Emilio Lawrence also upfront.

BOLTON XI: Miller, Christie (Smith 75), Toal (C), Johnston (Forino 45), Taylor, Sheehan (Dempsey 45) , Morley, Warren (Randall 60), McAtee (Forss 82), Cissoko, Dalby

Subs: Broome, Burstow.

CITY XI: Wint, Parker, Katongo, Mbete, McFarkane, Fapetu, Samba (McAidoo 65), Oboavwoduo, Muir, Sangare (Warhurst 77), Lawrence (R. Heskey 77).

Subs: Brits, Nfonkeu, Naylor, Noble.

Attendance: 2763

What it means

The result leaves City in second place in Group E with three points from our first two games.

Bolton lead the way on six from two games. Oldham and Rotherham, who both lost their opening clash, meet early next month ahead of the final, decisive group fixtures to determine who finishes in the top two and so make the knockout stages.