As Wanderers prepare to head to Barnsley, we look back to three Oakwell visits from the past.
Never a ground where Bolton have enjoyed much good fortune, we look back to the end of a near century-long wait for a Whites victory, an old boy snatching a point from Colin Todd’s promotion chasers, and a rocket from George Eastham.
April 28, 2001 – Barnsley 0 Bolton Wanderers 1
A 92-year wait for a league victory at Barnsley was ended thanks to a solitary Michael Ricketts strike – setting a new 95-year high as Sam Allardyce’s side racked up a 13th away win of the season.
Edward VII was on the throne, The North and South Poles hadn’t been visited and Einstein had yet to share with the world his Theory of Relativity when last a Bolton side won a dozen games on their travels, en route to promotion back to the First Division in 1905.
And three points at Barnsley meant they were guaranteed third spot and a crack at the play-offs as they entered the last week of the season.
"That's a great achievement in itself," Allardyce said as he surveyed the league table in the twilight of Saturday evening. "Another achievement, even though it's not significant in terms of your future, is that we've broken that away record and that's fantastic.
"But it doesn't mean anything if we don't get the ultimate prize in the end!"
Dean Holdsworth had provided the second-half spark to a dour game after he replaced the injured Nicky Summerbee. But the goal itself had been created by Bo Hansen’s clever pass for Ricketts, who netted his 21st of the season, and his first since netting the consolation in a 4-1 defeat to Blackburn which had ceded promotion advantage to Graeme Souness’ men.
October 25, 1996 – Barnsley 2 Bolton Wanderers 2
Unbeaten in 12 games, Colin Todd’s league leaders were denied a rather fortuitous victory by old boy Neil Redfearn at Oakwell.
There had been an element of fortune about the way the Whites seized a 2-0 lead.
Wanderers got the benefit of the doubt when referee Mike Bailey awarded a penalty when Steve Davis barged Alan Thompson over on the edge of the box after a super-slick move involving Gerry Taggart, Scott Sellars and John McGinlay. TV replays showed the offence took place outside the area, but McGinlay wasn't complaining as he duly converted the spot-kick to move level with Nathan Blake on 11 goals for the season.
"It was like suddenly getting a punctured lung!" Tykes boss Danny Wilson admitted. "We couldn't do anything about the penalty. Although I didn't see it, people who did on TV said it was two yards outside the box. Then the second goal ... you just can't legislate for that.
"Yet we responded well against what I think is the best team in the league, a team I have predicted will get back into the Premier League, and I just can't be disappointed. We could even have won it in the end."
John Hendrie led the revival, creating Barnsley’s first goal with a fine ball between Danish duo Per Frandsen and Michael Johansen for Redfearn to score with 32 minutes left on the clock.
And it was Hendrie's pace and trickery that forced ex-Oakwell favourite Gerry Taggart to concede the borderline penalty Redfearn confidently converted in the 67th.
A late shot from the Scot was nearly turned in by Paul Wilkinson as Bolton’s defence rode their luck to take a point from South Yorkshire.
April 10, 1935 – Barnsley 1 Bolton Wanderers 1
Bolton’s ‘clever ball players’ took a point from ‘rugged bustlers’ Barnsley thanks to a long-distance strike from George Eatsham at Oakwell.
Wanderers keeper Bob Jones had kept his team in touch with some important saves, helped out by two goal-line clearances from Alex Finney as the Yorkshiremen laid siege in gusty conditions at Oakwell.
Teddy Ashton eventually put Barnsley ahead but only until midway point of the second half, where Eastham’s bolt from the blue surprised even the match reporter.
“Nothing of the kind was expected,” wrote The Tramp, “because the attack that preceded the goal had really fizzled out when the pass intended for Milson ran straight to Addey, the Barnsley right-back.
“He sliced his leisurely clearance to where Eastham, in no sort of scoring position, decided to let fly at goal with his left foot, a grandly aimed ball beat Ellis all the way.”
Barnsley had proven difficult opposition, as had the late-evening sunshine which lingered just above the stand and made life difficult for Bolton’s defenders.
“The home side ran roughshod over Bolton in spite of the biggest collection of referee lectures I have seen for some time,” noted The Tramp. “For them, only the result was a disappointment.
“From the Wanderers’ the result was an excellent substitute for a win.”
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