CITY Reserves' season of misery continued in the Manchester Senior Cup last night as Bolton's Brazilian signing Mario Jardel staked his claim for a first-team chance.

The twice-European Golden Boot winner, who has yet to start a Premiership game for Bolton since signing from Sporting Lisbon, hit a double as Wanderers came from behind to beat their neighbours at Leyland.

The Blues, who fielded the experienced duo of goalkeeper Nicky Weaver and midfielder Gerard Wiekens, had only won once this term before last night's clash.

And their luck was out again, despite taking an early lead.

Wiekens fired home from a Stephen Ireland corner to leave Bolton keeper Jeremy Bon no chance after 14 minutes.

But that was as good as it got for City, as Bolton, who are lying at the bottom of the Barclaycard Premiership Reserve League North, fought back.

Jardel, who scored twice against Walsall last Wednesday in the Carling Cup, twice against Newcastle Reserves last Monday, and also went close when playing the last half-hour in the Premiership against Wolves on Saturday, reduced the arrears with a 55th minute goal from a Jonathan Walters corner.

Twelve minutes later he mopped up a rebound to score from close range after Weaver could only parry a powerful Jermaine Johnson shot.

Meanwhile, this Saturday sees City's Under-17 Academy side host Middlesbrough at Platt Lane (noon start), while the Under-19s entertain Blackburn Rovers (11am kick off).

BOLTON: Bon, Shakes, Smith, Buval, Comyn-Platt (Talbot 76), Ndiwa (O'Brien 46), Little, Niven, Jardel, Walters (Taylor 78), Johnson. Not used: Ashton, Vaz Te.

CITY: Weaver, Flood, Jordan, Wiekens, Bischoff, Negouai, Croft, J D'Laryea, Elliott, Bermingham, Ireland (Tandy 76). Not used: Schmeichel, Warrender, N D'Laryea, Collins.

CITY's Carling Cup tie at QPR takes place on Tuesday, October 28 (7.45pm). The Blues have been allocated 3,000 tickets priced £20 (adults) and £10 (concs).
Tweet