Burnden Aces

Wycombe Wanderers 2-4 Bolton Wanderers

• October 24, 2023 | By Chris Mann
• Short URL: http://b-ac.es/e577a

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• Aaron Morley, Eoin Toal, George Thomason, League One, Match Reports, Paris Maghoma, Wycombe Wanderers
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• See Also

• Post-Match: Evatt on Bolton's Win at Wycombe Wanderers

Bolton overcame another timid second-half display to strike late, as they beat Wycombe Wanderers 4-2 at Adams Park.

Similar to their victory over Northampton Town on Saturday, the Whites cruised into a two-goal lead at the break through goals from Paris Maghoma and George Thomason, only to be pegged back after the break when Luke Leahy reduced the deficit, before substitute David Wheeler equalised eight minutes from time.

That suddenly sparked a renewed purpose into the visitors, who went ahead again when Eoin Toal headed in from a Josh Sheehan corner on 85 minutes, before Aaron Morley converted from the penalty spot in the final minute of normal time to seal the win after fellow sub Cameron Jerome had been felled inside the area.

Ian Evatt made two changes to the side that started the weekend victory over Northampton Town as Will Forrester and Maghoma were in from the off, with Randell Williams and Morley both dropping to the substitutes' bench.

Forrester took up a place alongside Toal and captain Ricardo Almeida Santos in a back-three, with Josh Dacres-Cogley featuring at left wing-back to accommodate Gethin Jones on the opposite side.

The first venture forward went the way of the visitors, who, with six minutes played, found success down the left-hand side through Dacres-Cogley, whose ball back towards the edge of the box was just behind an advancing Thomason.

Nathan Baxter was then called into action at the other end, making a routine stop to deny Jasper Pattenden, moments before Leahy's ball in towards Brandon Hanlan was covered well by Santos.

Dacres-Cogley saw a shot deflect wide on 12 minutes after some neat build-up play from Maghoma, who would break the deadlock just before the quarter-hour in fortuitous circumstances.

Receiving possession from Santos midway inside the Wycombe half, Maghoma surged towards goal and took aim from just outside the box. Max Stryjek appeared to have a routine save to make, only to fumble the ball and watch on as referee Leigh Doughty's watch confirmed it had crossed the line.

Stryjek prevented Maghoma from doubling his tally for the evening from the next attack, palming over after Jones' cross had only been partially cleared, shortly before the goalkeeper made another stop to deny Thomason at the end of a move which had also involved both Adeboyejo and Dacres-Cogley.

Dion Charles curled wide on 27 minutes, while Leahy headed past the post at the other end, and Bolton survived a major scare on 35 minutes as Baxter saved well from Freddie Potts, before rising to his feet and making another stop to deny Pattenden on the follow-up.

That would prove decisive as, less than a minute later, Bolton doubled their lead as Sheehan's ball over the top handed Thomason the freedom of Wycombe. Despite missing his initial touch to control, the midfielder beat Stryjek to a loose ball, lobbed it beyond the goalkeeper and began the celebrations as he netted his first goal of the campaign.

The Trotters would take their 2-0 advantage into the break but it took Wycombe less than three minutes to reduce the deficit after the restart as Leahy raced on to a knockdown to send an unstoppable drive into the top corner to make it 2-1.

The hosts looked dangerous as the clock ticked towards the hour and Hanlan was unfortunate not to test Baxter, with Toal just about doing enough to close out a Dale Taylor cross.

Thomason would then ignore the support of both Charles and Adeboyejo, seeing a deflected effort bounce wide, before a number of substitutions on both teams afforded the players a break as the momentum slowed.

Into the final 15 minutes, Sheehan tricked his way beyond a number of defenders before crossing towards Adeboyejo, but Leahy was alert to the danger and ensured Bolton wouldn't extend their lead.

They tried again moments later, with Dacres-Cogley this time shooting over after drifting in from the left, but Wycombe were indeed level with eight minutes to play as the visitors were caught napping at a corner and Wheeler bundled home from close range.

Boos echoed around the away support as Charles and Adeboyejo were withdrawn in the immediate aftermath of that goal, with Jerome and Dan Nlundulu brought on in their place.

The duo would play key roles in turning the game back in Bolton's favour, however, as Nlundulu's presence won a corner on 85 minutes, from which Sheehan's delivery was powered home by Toal at the near post.

It would become 4-2 in the final minute of normal time as Jerome was taken down inside the area after racing clear of Richard Keogh, who escaped with a yellow card, and Morley subsequently beat Stryjek from the spot to seal victory.

The three points cements the Whites' place in 4th, two points behind 2nd-placed Oxford United in the pursuit for automatic promotion, with leaders Portsmouth six ahead having played a game more.

Next up for Evatt's side is another away trip this coming Saturday, with Charlton Athletic awaiting at The Valley.

Wycombe Wanderers: Stryjek, Low, Keogh, Leahy, Pattenden (Wheeler 69), Scowen (Sadlier 73), Potts, Boyes, Phillips (Tafazolli 82), Hanlan (McCleary 69), Taylor (Vokes 81)
Subs Not Used: Ravizzoli, Breckin
Booked: Scowen, Keogh, Low
Goals: Leahy 48, Wheeler 82

Bolton Wanderers: Baxter, Toal, Santos, Forrester, Dacres-Cogley, Thomason, Maghoma (Morley 67), Jones, Sheehan, Adeboyejo (Jerome 83), Charles (Nlundulu 83)
Subs Not Used: Coleman, Iredale, Bodvarsson, Williams
Booked: Maghoma
Goals: Maghoma 14, Thomason 36, Toal 85, Morley 89(pen)

Referee: Leigh Doughty
Attendance: 4,935

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