BLIND REF 2

BOLTON WANDERERS 2 STOKE CITY FC 1

After last week’s lay off Tony Pulis placed his trust in the same team that triumphed over Blackburn a fortnight ago.As so often this season Stoke weathered Bolton’s early storm, set about bossing the game,only to fall behind in the 23^rd minute, thanks to our old friend ill luck. Abdy Faye’s good defensive work was undone by TWO unkind rebounds, the ball eventually falling to Lee who netted from 12 yards out.

Just six minutes later a Pennant freekick was defeated by the Bolton crossbar.Before the half was over Ref Walton left his indelible mark on the result, ruling- from his viewpoint a mere 10 yards away- that Knight’s blatant handball in the area involved no illegal contact with the ball. No penalty. Quite remarkable! But not the for the first time.....and I’m convinced not the last.

Within minutes of the restart we were back on terms as Rory Delap blasted home. The remainder of the half saw much determined activity in both directions, without further addition to the score......until.....in added on time a Bolton freekick for a  foul out on the right was fumbled by Sorensen. Collins cleared but from the resultant long throw in, the ball dropped to Klasnic who swivelled to shoot the winner home to Sorensen’s left. Stoke had little or no time to stage a second comeback.

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So the disappointing run against Bolton continues. Our play merits a win,or in this case at least a draw, but they take the points. We drop a place to 8^th in the Premiership, leapfrogged would you believe by Bolton themselves.

 As for Mr.Walton you have to wonder,once again,whether he is up to the job.