Match Preview | Bolton Wanderers

20 April 2023

Shrewsbury Town make the trip to the University of Bolton Stadium this Saturday to take on the Wanderers in the Sky Bet League One. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Shrewsbury suffered defeat in the final moments of their game at home to league-leaders Plymouth on Tuesday night. Killian Phillips had put Salop one nil up after the break before Joe Edwards then equalised for his side. It remained all square until the 96th minute when Callum Wright grabbed the winner for the visitors to make it 2-1 to Argyle.

Before this, Shrewsbury drew 1-1 at home to Portsmouth last Saturday with Rob Street getting on the scoresheet for Salop.

Bolton picked up a point in their Tuesday night fixture, drawing 1-1 away at Burton Albion. Victor Adeboyejo gave the Wanderers an early lead after just five minutes, but Josh Walker struck for the Brewers in the second half to ensure the points were shared.

Last Saturday, Bolton won 1-0 away at Oxford United courtesy of a goal from Dion Charles.

Shrewsbury and Bolton have met 28 times before, with Salop winning nine of those, drawing four and losing 15. In the reverse fixture, Salop were 3-2 victors at the Meadow in December.

Name: Bolton Wanderers

Stadium: University of Bolton Stadium

Founded: 1874 (149 years ago as Christ Church F.C.)

Chair: Sharon Brittan

Manager: Ian Evatt

Record win: 13-0 vs Sheffield United, FA Cup Second Round, 1st February 1890

Record defeat: 1-9 vs Preston North End, FA Cup Second Round, December 10th 1887

Highest league finish: 6th, Barclays Premier League, 2004/2005 season

One to watch: Dion Charles

Northern Ireland international Dion Charles is top scorer for the Wanderers this season, with 20 goals across all competitions. Of those, 16 have come in the league, three in the EFL Trophy and one in the EFL Cup. He joined the club from Accrington Stanley in January 2022.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Match Report | Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Shrewsbury Town

22 April 2023

Shrewsbury Town played out a 1-0 defeat on the road at Bolton Wanderers.

The hosts' only goal at the University of Bolton Stadium came in the 63rd minute when Josh Sheehan unleashed a powerful curling effort from 25 yards out which found the top corner.

Salop created plenty of chances throughout the match but saw most of them blocked or saved and the Wanderers' defence remained resolute.

Marko Marosi was also outstanding, making three brilliant saves in the second half to keep Shrewsbury in the game but unfortunately, they couldn't do enough to secure a point.

Manager Steve Cotterill opted for a 4-3-3 system for the trip to the University of Bolton Stadium.

After serving a two-match suspension, Ryan Bowman came into the starting line-up in the centre-forward position with Rob Street on the left flank and Tom Bloxham on the right.

After missing two games through injury, Matt Pennington returned to the side at right-back with Chey Dunkley and Taylor Moore in the heart of the defence with Jordan Shipley at left-back.

Ian Evatt's Bolton side lined up in a 3-4-1-2 formation with Kyle Dempsey in the number 10 role. Dion Charles and Victor Adeboyejo were the front two.

Early into the fixture, Bloxham showed his quality by using some fancy footwork to bypass two defenders and get into the box, but Dempsey did well to read the danger and make a well-timed challenge before he could get his shot away.

Just before the 10-minute mark, the home side created their first chance when Dempsey hit a low drive from the edge of the box that sailed inches wide.

Dempsey was the architect for another Bolton attack in the 27th minute.

The 27-year-old manoeuvred his way around the Town defence before again trying his luck from just outside the box - with his effort once again sailing wide.

Shrewsbury threatened again before the break with Luke Leahy seeing a shot from 25 yards deflected over the bar.

Those moments aside, though, the half proved a very even affair with the two teams cancelling each other out.

The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock minutes after the interval when Sheehan found a pocket of space in the box following a corner.

Bolton's number eight drilled the ball in low, but his effort went inches wide of the woodwork.

Next, Charles managed to win the ball high up the pitch and used some neat footwork to attempt to take the ball around Marko Marosi in the 55th minute, but the Slovakian keeper made himself big and blocked the effort.

Bradley then made a jinking run on the hour mark and shot from the edge of the box.

But his effort took a deflection, and the crossbar denied the attacking full-back.

The Wanderers pulled ahead in the 63rd minute when Sheehan received a pass from the right.

The Welshman took a touch and unleashed a powerful curling effort from 25 yards out which found the top corner.

Steve Cotterill went for a personnel change in the 68th minute when Elliott Bennett replaced Street, and Christian Saydee came on for Bloxham.

The substitutes also meant a change of shape, with Town moving to a 4-2-3-1.

Saydee came in at right and Bennett at left wing, with Killian Phillips sandwiched in between as the number 10 in behind Bowman. Luke Leahy and Carl Winchester played as the two holding midfielders.

With just over 20 minutes to go, Dempsey got a shot away inside the box.

But Marosi managed to get down well and make a one-handed save to push it out for a corner.

The home side remained on top, and Adeboyejo was fed through on goal.

However, Marosi was once again able to read the danger quickly and rushed out to make himself big to block the ball with his head.

Town were unable to muster up another clear chance and despite a spirited performance, they had to travel back to Shropshire empty-handed.

Teams

Salop XI:

Marosi (GK), Leahy, Pennington, Moore, Winchester, Phillips, Bowman, Street (Bennett, 68), Bloxham (Saydee, 68), Dunkley, Shipley

Unused subs:

Burgoyne (GK), Craig, Barlow

Bolton Wanderers:

Trafford (GK), Jones (C), MJ Williams, Johnston, Sheehan (Lee, 76), Charles (Kachunga, 82), Morley, Bradley, Dempsey, R. Williams, Adeboyejo (Nlundulu, 76)

Unused subs:

John, Shoretire, Thomason, Jerome

Bookings: Winchester, Bowman; MJ Williams

Attendance: 18,596

Away: 740