Hibernian 0-2 Bolton Wanderers - Full time match report

Two second-half goals from Amari Cozier-Duberry and Sonny Sharples-Ahmed ensured an unbeaten summer continued for Steven Schumacher’s side, who produced some good football throughout to get the better of their Scottish Premiership opposition.

Brighton loanee Cozier-Duberry came up with a moment of sublime quality just before the hour mark to blast the first goal. And the second arrived with a few minutes left on the clock, Sharples-Ahmed finding himself unmarked through the middle of goal, producing a calm finish in front of the 1,200 travelling fans.

Bolton hit the woodwork twice more – through Thierry Gale and Joel Randall – with the home side also striking the bar late on through Junior Hoieltt.

With no sign of club captain George Thomason – who looks set to complete his move to Wrexham – Wanderers were also without Charlie Warren from the squad that had travelled to Barrow on Tuesday.

The first half was goalless, but Steven Schumacher will be pleased that the majority of it was spent in the Hibs half.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium. Thierry Gale hit the post after getting a toe on an Aaron Morley cross, with David Abimbola just unable to claim the rebound ahead of keeper Jordan Smith.

Amario Cozier-Duberry looked Bolton’s biggest threat, picked out regularly by the likes of Morley and Xavier Simons, the Brighton loanee went close with a couple of powerful shots after cutting in off the right.

Gale also had a goal-bound effort blocked by Rocky Bushiri just before half time, the Barbados international having his best half since signing for the club from Rapid Vienna.

Hibs had threatened from set pieces early on and got a couple more late in the half to keep Wanderers on their toes. Kieron Bowie had one effort blocked well by Chris Forino at the near post – but considering the Scottish side are a week further down the line in terms of preparation and starting their Europa League campaign off on Thursday, Schumacher would have been pleased with what his side produced, particularly in defence.

Wanderers continued in a similar vein into the second half but suffered a blow early on when Richard Taylor pulled up after receiving the ball, eventually limping off the pitch to be replaced by Max Conway.

Within a couple of minutes, however, the Whites were ahead. Cozier-Duberry had already fired some warning shots after drifting in from the right wing, and this one very much found the target.

A powerful effort from the edge of the box left Raphael Sallinger with no chance and sent the Bolton fans with the perfect view behind the goal into raptures.

After the obligatory flood of substitutions the game’s structure started to suffer. Subs Josh Sheehan and Joel Randall went close and Sam Inwood headed over the top from a corner.

Just as a worthwhile afternoon appeared to be petering out, Sharples-Ahmed latched on to a quick ball through the middle to pass a shot into the back of the net for the Whites’ second.

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