Hibs 0 Bolton Wanderers 2

Amario Cozier-Duberry and Sonny Sharples-Ahmed were on target as Bolton Wanderers won 2-0 in the Darren McGregor Testimonial Match this afternoon.

The English club were worthy winners on the day as we struggled to find our flow. Bolton struck the woodwork in both halves, while Junior Hoilett had our best opportunity with a first-time volley that struck the away side's crossbar.

Daz and his family were warmly welcomed onto the Easter Road pitch before kick-off and delivered the match ball. 

Hibernian: Smith (Sallinger 46'), O'Hora (Ekpiteta 66'), Rocky, Iredale (Hoilett 66'), C.Cadden (Megwa 66'), N.Cadden (Obita 58'), Levitt (Manneh 58'), Mulligan (Campbell 58'), McGrath (MacIntyre 75'), Boyle (Youan 66'), Bowie (Klidjé 76'). 

Bolton Wanderers: Sharman-Lowe (Trialist 64’), Taylor (Conway 52’), Johnston (Osei-Tutu 64’), Gale (Schon 46’), Cogley (Inwood 64’), Morley (Mendes-Gomes 64’), Cozier-Duberry (Toal 64’), Forino (Sheehan 64’), Simons (Sharples-Ahmed 64’), Abimbola (Randall 64’), McAtee (Lawrence 64’). 

Backed by over 1,200 of their fans, the visitors made a bright start to the game and their pace in the wide areas forced us back in the opening exchanges – a precursor for what was to follow.

It took until the seventh minute before we saw an attempt at goal. Nicky Cadden’s floated free kick was partially cleared by Richard Taylor, dropping at the feet of Dylan Levitt lurking on the edge of the visitor’s box.

The midfielder lined-up a first-time volley and made a powerful connection, however his effort was wide of Teddy Sharman-Lowe’s goal. 

The visitors would enjoy the best of the first half opportunities, with the first of those coming in the 12th minute when Cozier-Duberry cut inside off the right flank before letting fly with a curling, dipping shot from the edge of our box that was in the end just too high.

The Bolton wide man was involved again soon after when he laid the ball off to Aaron Morley, who struck a powerful effort towards goal that Rocky Bushiri did well to deflect over the crossbar.

We had a let off on 32 minutes when Morley’s cross from the right was contested by Thierry Gale and Chris Cadden, with the latter's touch spinning the ball past Jordan Smith, only to hit the base of the post and promptly be collected by Smith amidst a scramble for the ball. 

Bolton kept pressing and it took a brave block by Rocky to keep out a fierce Gale shot before Smith comfortably gathered John McAtee’s tame follow up.

Whilst it wasn’t all one-way traffic, we were toiling to find our final ball whilst the Englishmen were certainly knocking on the door at the other end.

Eight minutes from half-time Cozier-Duberry did well to drive down the right, cut inside Nicky Cadden and curl a terrific effort just wide of the far post that had Smith worried.

The final effort of the first period fell our way with Nicky Cadden’s corner kick picking out Kieron Bowie at the back post, only for the Scotland international to be denied by a block from Chris Forino just in front of goal.

Surprisingly for a pre-season fixture, both teams made just one change during the interval with Raphael Sallinger replacing Jordan Smith in our goal, whilst Szabolocs Schon took over from the departing Gale for the visitors.

The visitors finally broke the deadlock on 56 minutes when Cozier-Duberry again cut inside off the right flank and his rising effort across the face of goal gave Sallinger no chance as it flew into the far top corner.

That was the signal for both teams to make a host of changes before substitutes Josh Campbell and Eoin Toal were cautioned in quick succession.

A rasping drive from John Sheeran flashed just wide of our goal on 68 minutes as Bolton threatened to double their advantage. Sam Inwood then had a great chance to notch his side’s second only to waste the opportunity with a poor header.

Our new signing Thubault Klidjé was given the final quarter-of-an-hour to introduce himself to the Hibs faithful, however it was Bolton that continued to carry more threat, with Joel Randall striking the inside of our post late on before it was hooked clear.

In the closing stages Hoilett almost levelled with a first-time volley that struck the crossbar, only for Bolton to make sure of their win moments later when Sharples-Ahmed fired past Sallinger at the other end.