Match preview: Bolton Wanderers (A)

1 October 2021

Take a look at all the stats and facts ahead of Town's trip to the University of Bolton Stadium.

Shrewsbury Town are back on their travels in the Sky Bet League One this weekend as they make the journey up North to face Bolton Wanders at the University of Bolton Stadium. Salop are looking to bounce back following Tuesdays disappointing 2-1 home defeat against Wycombe Wanderers. Bolton got back to winning ways on Tuesday after suffering two defeats in a row with a convincing 4-1 win away to Charlton Athletic. Ian Evatt’s men are enjoying life back in League One following their promotion from Sky Bet League Two last season.

The Trotters are currently seventh in the league with four wins and three draws in their opening ten games and are hopeful of back-to-back promotions, following a tough few years for the club which saw them go minutes from extinction back in 2019. Their impressive win on Tuesday against Charlton was just one of several impressive victories so far this season for Bolton. A 5-2 win away to Ipswich Town as well as a 3-2 home win over Port Vale are the most notable victories. Salop will be hoping to create a similar victory to the one the Trotters had over Ipswich when they travel to Portman Road on the October 9^th.

The two teams last met back in October 2020 in the EFL Trophy. First half strikes from Ryan Barnett and Jason Cummings were enough to secure a 2-1 victory and Salop’s place in the next round of the competition until they were ultimately knocked out two rounds later against Lincoln City. This will be the 26^th competitive meeting in all competitions between the two sides. The first meeting was way back in November 1971. Out of the previous 25 meeting, Shrewsbury Town have won eight, drew four and lost 13.

Name: Bolton Wanderers

Founded: 1874 (147 years ago as Christ Church F.C.)

Chairman: Sharon Brittan

Biggest Win: 13-0 vs Sheffield United, FA Cup Second Round 1890

Biggest Defeat: 9-1 vs Preston North End, FA Cup Second Round 1887

Highest League Finish: 6^th, Barclays Premier League, 2004-05

One to Watch: Oladapo Afolayan

Oladapo Afolayan joined Bolton Wanderers initially on loan from West Ham United on deadline day back in January with the option to sign permanently in the summer. After making 21 appearances for the club scoring one goal, the club decided to make the move permanent and Afolayan signed a three-year deal. He’s started life in the Sky Bet League One brilliantly and the winger has netted five goals so far this season. He has become a fan favourite in his short time with the Trotters and has even been compared to Bolton legend Jay-Jay Okocha. He even did Okocha’s signature goal celebration in the 3-3 draw against AFC Wimbledon back in August.

Match Officials:

Referee: Marc Edwards

Linesmen: Simon Clayton, Bradley Hall

Fourth Official: Alan Clayton

Match Reports

Match report: Bolton Wanderers 2 Shrewsbury Town 1

2 October 2021

Shrewsbury Town suffer a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers.

Shrewsbury Town's afternoon in Greater Manchester came to an end with Salop losing out 2-1 to Bolton Wanderers at the University of Bolton Stadium. A late set-piece goal from Luke Leagy from Salop wasn't enough for Steve Cotterill's men to return to Shropshire with a point.

Despite positive play in the final third for Salop during the early stages of the fixture, chances were hard to come by and the home side defence negated danger well. However, with 13 minutes on the clock, Dan Udoh and Ryan Bowman were both able to fire shots at goal. It wasn't the breakthrough Town were looking for as the home side remained resolute to get solid blocks on each effort.

The next chance of the game came the way of Bolton Wanderers in the 17th minute. Breaking from midfield, Anton Sarcevic was able to pick the ball up near the centre circle and successfully dribbled to the edge of Town's box. The Wanderers number 10 followed up his run with an inch-perfect, curling shot that nestled in the corner of the net.

Just six minutes later, the home side made it two. Dapo Afolayan earned space by dribbling through two Salop defenders in the final third to let off a low curling effort. Unfortunately for Town, the ball flew through the defence and found its way into the far corner of the net.

Seconds before the half was out, Town came agonisingly close to finding a goal to half the deficit. Elliott Bennett pounced on a loose ball just inside the Bolton box but saw his drilled shot cleared off the line by the Wanderers number five Ricardo Almeida Santos.

Salop were awarded a penalty in the 56th minute due to Shaun Whalley being tripped in the Bolton box. Bowman stepped up for the spot-kick but was unable to beat Joel Dixon in between the sticks.

Town did manage to find the back of the net late on through Luke Leahy. Town's wing-back stood over a free-kick on the edge of the box and guided a wonderful effort into the top corner of the Wanderers net to half the deficit with two minutes of regular time remaining.

The game came to an end with the home side securing the three points.

The teams:

Wanderers: Joel Dixon, Gethin Jones, Declan John, MJ Williams, Ricardo Almeida Santos, George Johnston, Eoin Doyle (Amadou Bakayoko, 71), Anton Sarcevic, Dapo Afolayan, Kieran Lee (Josh Sheehan, 78), Elias Kachunga.

Subs not used: Nathan Delfouneso, Lloyd Isgrove, George Thomason, Alex Baptiste, Liam Gordon.

Salop: Marko Marosi, Luke Leahy, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Matthew Pennington, Aaron Pierre, Shaun Whalley (Nathanael Ogbeta, 80), Dan Udoh (Sam Cosgrove, 74), Ryan Bowman (Tom Bloxham, 74), David Davis, Elliott Bennett, George Nurse.

Subs not used: Harry Burgoyne, Khanya Leshabela, Rekeil Pyke, Charlie Caton.

Officials:

Referee: Marc Edwards
Assistant: Simon Clayton and Bradley Hall
Fourth Official: Alan Clayton

Ticket News

Bolton Wanderers ticket details

13 September 2021

Ticket details are now available for our Sky Bet League One away fixture with Bolton Wanderers.

Bolton Wanderers v Shrewsbury Town
Saturday 2^nd October - 3pm kick-off
Sky Bet League One

Tickets are now on sale for our Sky Bet League One trip to Bolton. We have been allocated 523 tickets for the game and Town fans will be housed in the Franking Sense South Stand

Franking Sense South Stand (523 Tickets)

Adult - £23
Senior 65+ - £18
Young Adult 18-22 - £18
Junior 12 -17 - £13
Under 12 - £8
There are 10 pairs of Disabled and Carer Wheelchair bays available also.

Ambulant Disabled are charged the same as the relevant age group, Carer tickets are free of charge if required. (Higher or Enhanced Rate).

Tickets go off sale from the ticket office and online at 2pm on Friday 1^st October.

Tickets can be purchased in the following ways:

In-person at the Montgomery Waters Meadow ticket office
• By calling 01743 273943
• Via our online ticketing site - click here

Away tickets are set up online with the following delivery options:

Standard post
Special delivery
Collect from Shrewsbury Town - Free

Any tickets for away games not collected will be taken to the away game on the day.

Car Parking is available at the ground on a pay-on-arrival basis. £8 per car, £12 per Minibus and £20 per coach.

If you can't make it to the game you can listen to full match commentary, or watch the game if you are an International fan, on IFollow Shrews or download the app here to listen if you are out and about - IFollow App.