Bolton secured a return to the Championship with a 3-1 victory in a League One playoff final against Stockport. After a 1-1 scoreline at the hour, Steven Schumacher introduced Sam Dalby, who scored an overhead kick to extend Bolton’s lead to 3-1 by the 81st minute. Ruben Rodrigues added a late penalty against Stockport after they played with 10 men. Bolton’s supporters created an upbeat atmosphere in hot conditions, and the team responded strongly from kick-off. Thierry Gale tested the Stockport goalkeeper early, leading to a goal by Mason Burstow and then Rodrigues. Adama Sidibeh scored after challenging Bolton’s captain, with the referee reviewing the goal via the pitchside monitor.
"With Sam Dalby's second-half overhead kick, Bolton could start to plan their return to the Championship, a division they left in 2019 as a club in turmoil. After administration, last-minute sales, emergency loans, points deductions and a spell in League Two, they have found their way back. Stockport, themselves a club on the rise following financial trouble that took them down to the sixth tier, were game opponents in Bolton's second League One playoff final in three years but were overpowered at Wembley."
"With the score level at 1-1 after an hour, Steven Schumacher sent on Sam Dalby and by the 81st minute the substitute had stretched Bolton's lead to 3-1 with a picture-book goal. Ruben Rodrigues's late penalty against 10 men added gloss to the scoreline. Ian Evatt suggested his Bolton team had succumbed to pressure and fear on their last appearance in this game two years ago, a 2-0 defeat to Oxford United. This time their supporters who with bucket hats, sun cream and beach balls aplenty were just as equipped for a day at the beach in 30-degree heat set an upbeat tone."
"Schumacher's players responded right from kick-off. The winger Thierry Gale, cutting inside from the left, took only a couple of minutes to test Corey Addai in the Stockport goal. Addai could only parry the long-range effort and Mason Burstow pounced, his cutback prodded out by the defender Ethan Pye but Rodrigues, on the opposite side for Oxford in the 2024 playoff final, drilled in the loose ball. The Stockport manager, Dave Challinor, is not one to panic in these situations."
"His striker Adama Sidibeh left the Bolton captain, George Johnston, on the deck when chasing a long ball in behind before beating Jack Bonham at his near post. The referee, Josh Smith, was sent to the pitchside monitor and chalked the goal of"
Read at www.theguardian.com
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