Match Preview: Bolton v Pompey

All you need to know about League One test

5 April 2022

There have been 17 days since Pompey were last in League One for a Fratton draw with Wycombe.

So there is certainly a desire from fans, staff and players alike to see the Blues in action on their 124th birthday at Bolton this evening (8pm kick-off).

This fixture was supposed to take place a couple of Saturdays ago, but both sides were missing players on international duty.

There is currently only goal difference separating them in the table, with Wanderers one place lower in 11th spot.

Ian Evatt’s men were in action at the weekend, with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s late header holding automatic promotion-chasing Wigan to a draw.

But they have collected just a single point from their two most recent home contests with Morecambe and Plymouth.

John Marquis was on target early in the second half when Pompey won a close contest on the south coast back in October.

And the Blues also triumphed 1-0 on their most recent visit to the University of Bolton Stadium in January 2020, with Christian Burgess grabbing the only goal.

TEAM NEWS
Shaun Williams is back in contention after returning to training following his recovery from a back injury.

But Kieron Freeman (ankle), Reeco Hackett (knee) and Jayden Reid (knee) all remain sidelined for Pompey.

Kieran Lee (heel) is missing for Bolton and Declan John (back) is a doubt, while Dapo Afolayan and Kyle Dempsey have both been carrying knocks.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Gavin Bazunu ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 36 wins
Bolton: 42 wins
22 draws

On the road
Pompey: 10 wins
Bolton: 32 wins
7 draws

TICKETS
Tickets are no longer available to purchase for Pompey fans. Supporters collecting tickets should visit the main ticket office at Bolton, which is located next to the club shop.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Marc Edwards
Assistants: Ian Smedley and Richard Woodward
Fourth Official: Conor Brown

MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live by purchasing an iFollow match pass and visiting the match centre.

Domestic iFollow subscribers can also enjoy audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham as usual, but will need to purchase a match pass if they want to watch the game.

Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device.

We will have updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story.

There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Wednesday.

Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM.

BETTING
Bolton are the 7/5 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while Pompey can be backed at 2/1.

Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for this evening’s game. 18+. Please gamble responsibly.

We are committed to playing our part in ensuring our relationship with VBET is promoted in the right way to our supporters.

That is why VBET has partnered with BettorMind, to provide responsible gambling advice around key betting behaviours.

When it comes to betting, we advise all fans to make use of our dedicated responsible gambling site.

ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
All games kick-off at 7.45pm

AFC Wimbledon v Charlton
Cambridge v Wycombe
Fleetwood v Lincoln
MK Dons v Crewe
Morecambe v Oxford
Wigan v Accrington

LAST AWAY MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Bolton 1 Pompey 1

O’Brien on target as Blues pick up a point

5 April 2022

Joe Morrell in action for Pompey at Bolton Wanderers — Photo: Phil Bryan

Pompey had to settle for a point on their long-awaited return to action after letting a lead slip at Bolton.

They went ahead through Aiden O’Brien early in the second half, only for Kieran Sadlier to level from the penalty spot and ensure the spoils would be shared.

Danny Cowley made three changes from the side that drew with Wycombe on home soil 17 days earlier.

Michael Jacobs, Joe Morrell and O’Brien all returned to the starting line-up, with Mahlon Romeo, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Tyler Walker dropping to the bench.

Also among the substitutes was Shaun Williams, who had recovered from the back injury he suffered at the end of January.

The first half was full of bright attacking play from both sides, with plenty of dangerous forays forward at each end of the pitch.

And yet a combination of solid defending and a poor final pass meant that there was little in the way of clear-cut openings.

One neat passage from Pompey saw the ball ping around the box and yet it would not quite fall kindly on a number of occasions.

It was certainly an open contest, although when Marcus Harness met a Jacobs free-kick, he could only guide his header into the arms of James Trafford.

A key interception then prevented the ball from reaching the feet of Harness inside the area following good work from Jacobs and George Hirst.

But it was Bolton who had the best chance to forge ahead before the interval, with Dapo Afolayan looking certain to slot his shot into the bottom corner.

Gavin Bazunu got down to his left to make a superb save, however, and Dion Charles could only blast the loose ball across the face of goal.

The only other incident of note before the whistle blew was a crude Kyle Dempsey challenge on Harness that earned the midfielder a yellow card.

Half Time: Bolton 0 Pompey 0

Pompey had not forced Trafford into action before the break, but the keeper was soon picking the ball out of his net after the restart.

It came after Will Aimson – who had only just entered the pitch – was booked for bringing down Hirst outside the box.

The free-kick from Harness slammed into the wall, but the ball was recycled and the same player cut it back for O’BRIEN to slot home.

Wanderers felt that the scorer was offside in the build-up, although he had actually received possession from a white-shirted player.

The visitors might have strengthened their lead moments later and Trafford was relieved to see the ball land safe when he palmed a Sean Raggett header right back into the danger zone.

It was suddenly a frantic affair and after Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s penalty appeals were rightly waved away, the Blues broke and Hirst drew a save from Trafford.

But the action quickly switched to the other end of the pitch and Bazunu had to beat away a shot from Charles.

Pompey were next to threaten when an O’Brien shot was blocked and George Johnston bravely flung himself into the path of Jacobs’ follow-up.

The hosts had a chance to level on 76 minutes, however, when Elias Kachunga made the most of a challenge from Hayden Carter and referee Marc Edwards pointed to the spot.

Bazunu went the right way – getting down to his left – but the penalty from Sadlier was perfectly placed and nestled in the net.

A double switch was made to provide some fresh energy for the closing stages, with Louis Thompson and Jacobs replaced by Williams and Ronan Curtis.

And loanee Walker also entered the fray in the search for a late Pompey winner, replacing Hirst up front.

There were half-chances for both sides during six minutes of stoppage-time, but neither was able to turn one point into three.

Bolton (3-4-1-2): Trafford; Jones, Santos (c) (Aimson 46), Johns; Sadlier, Morley, Dempsey (Williams 70), Johnston; Afolayan (Kachunga 65); Bodvarsson, Charles
Goals: Sadlier 76 (pen)
Booked: Dempsey, Aimson
Subs not used: Baptiste, Thomason, Amaechi, Bakayoko

Pompey (4-2-2-2): Bazunu; Carter, Raggett, Robertson (c), Ogilvie; Thompson (Williams 82), Morrell; Harness, Jacobs (Curtis 82); O’Brien, Hirst (Walker 85)
Goals: O’Brien 50
Booked: Carter
Subs not used: Webber, Romeo, Tunnicliffe, Hume

Referee: Marc Edwards

Attendance: 13,809 (700 Pompey fans)