Bolton Wanderers Boss Revealed His Chance Of “Salvaging The Lingering Loss” At Wanderers And Why Today’s Defeat Is The…

Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Stockport County Full time match report

WANDERERS’ play-off chances were dented after Tanto Olaofe’s solo second-half strike gave Stockport County a league double over their North West rivals.

Though the Whites did have chances to salvage something in the last 15 minutes, there can be little argument that the visitors created more even before taking the lead.

Returning keeper Nathan Baxter made three good saves to keep County at bay but could do nothing when Olaofe danced his way from the left touchline to slot home the winner in the 72nd minute.

Wanderers made five changes to the side that had lost at Bristol Rovers in midweek, with Nathan Baxter replacing Luke Souhwood in goal for the first time since Schumacher came to the club.

Chris Forino, Josh Dacres-Cogley, Joel Randall and Jordi Osei-Tutu also came in for Gethin Jones, Will Forrester, Alex Murphy and Szabi Schon.

George Thomason started on the left side of the back three as Bolton set up 3-5-2 from the start of a first half which contained relatively few scoring chances but plenty to discuss

Stockport had the best opportunity, Bennoy Andresson getting goal-side to collect Tanto Olaofe’s pass, only to be denied by the sprawling Baxter.

Bolton had a few shots charged down and Aaron Collins curl another effort wide of the post. But many inside the Toughsheet would also argue they should have had a numerical advantage after a poor foul by Kyle Knoyle on Jordi Osei-Tutu early on, punished only by a yellow card from referee Ben Toner.

The full-back went on to tread a fine line in the first 45 minutes and on the stroke of half time, blocked off a run from John McAtee but somehow avoided another caution. Unsurprisingly, he was one of three players subbed at the break.

Collins put an effort over the bar early in the second half but County made the better start, and could have gone ahead again when Olaofe played in sub Kyle Wooton, and Baxter was needed once again to come out and stifle his shot.

Bolton got themselves going again with McAtee swinging in a dangerous cross that just eluded Collins and then lashing a half-volley at goal from Morley’s pass, fielded well by Corey Addai.

Baxter was definitely the busier of the two keepers, however, and the former Chelsea man had to make an instinctive one-handed save to push away Jayden Fevrier’s shot on 65 minutes.

But his defences were finally breached with 18 minutes left to go, Olaofe wriggling out of a challenge by Toal on the touchline and then squeezing past two more challenges before finishing well in the bottom corner.

The Whites tried to respond, and mustered their best spell of pressure in the second period – Osei-Tutu cut a cross back for Sheehan, whose shot was helped over the bar by Addai and Sheehan had a shot blocked right in front of goal.

With just three minutes to go, a marvellous pass from Sheehan set Collins in on goal, but the Welshman failed to beat Addai and Bolton’s best chance of a point had gone.

Thomason had a shot deflected wide deep into stoppage time, leading to a last-gasp corner where Baxter ventured up in search of a goal, but it wasn’t to be, and Wanderers will be left watching the other teams in play-off contention this afternoon to see just how much damage has been done.