Colchester United Preview
By Mark Heys
August 3 2007
After a promising 3-0 win over UEFA Cup finalists Espanyol at the Reebok Stadium in midweek, Bolton Wanderers find themselves back on the road this weekend as they make the trip down to Essex to take on Championship side Colchester United in the final game of their pre-season programme.
Wanderers manager Sammy Lee has a near full strength squad to choose from for the trip South with the exceptions being injury victims Ricardo Gardner, Blerim Dzemaili and Stelios Giannakopoulos.
New signings Christian Wilhelmsson and Daniel Braaten could also miss out as they are still awaiting clearance following their recent moves to the club but youngster Ricardo Vaz-Te will more than likely be given a starting place once more following his impressive two goal showing on Wednesday.
Colchester boss Geriant Williams is likely play striker Kevin Lisbie and defender Bela Balogh after both completed permanant transfers to the Layer Road club this week.
Former England international Teddy Sheringham may also get a run out as could defender Matthew Connolly who is on loan from Arsenal.
Ex-Wanderers keeper Aidan Davison will be in attendance but it is likely that young Dean Gerken will be preferred to the veteran Northern Ireland international between the sticks.
LAST TIME WE MET22/07/1997 COLCHESTER UNITED 1 (Forbes) BOLTON WANDERERS 1 (McAnespie)
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Aidan Davison, Glenn Keeley, Tony Kelly, Trevor Morgan, Isaiah Rankin, Mark Walton
DID YOU KNOW:
Bolton have only ever played Colchester officially on two previous occasions with both games coming in the 1987-1988 season when the teams where in the old Division 4.
The first meeting occured on 11th December 1987 when Bolton where thumped 3-0 at Layer Road owing to goals from Richard Wilkins and former Bury player Winston White.
Later on in that season Bolton got their revenge with a 4-0 win over the Essex club at Burnden Park, this time the goals came courtesy of Robbie Savage, Mark Came, Jeff Chandler and top scorer John Thomas.
Colchester's goalkeeper during both games was Welsh U21 international Mark Walton who played three games for Bolton in the 1993-1994 season.