WANDERERS (4-2-3-1)
TEDDY SHARMAN-LOWE…6.
He won’t be happy about being beaten from such a tight angle by McGoldrick. A couple of minor mis-steps but nothing major to complain about.
JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…5.5.
A frustrating first half. Got into some great positions on the right and couldn’t execute the final cross or pass. Potentially a bit exposed against Ogbeta/Keilor-Dunn at times.
EOIN TOAL…6.5.
Implicated in the Barnsley’s goal – although not completely culpable – Toal was desperately unlucky not to get one himself, hitting the post and forcing Murphy into one fine save.
GEORGE JOHNSTON…6.
Only the one moment where a simple ball split him and Toal, leaving McGoldrick to score from the angle. Otherwise, he defended the penalty box well.
MAX CONWAY…7.
Three games into his League One career and the plaudits keep coming. Vickers was a handful but he stuck to the task and looks so confident on the ball.
XAV SIMONS…6.5.
Quietly went about his business and rattled into a few satisfying challenges. Connell arguably won the midfield battle – but Simons didn’t concede ground.
JOSH SHEEHAN…6.
The first half passed him by to a large degree. Got involved more when Bolton were patrolling the outside of Barnsley’s penalty box and his set pieces were very good.
AMARIO COZIER-DUBERRY…6.5.
For spells of the first half Barnsley looked nervous each time he got the ball. Yes, the composure in front of goal needs to improve, but so good to watch. Quieter in the second half.
JOEL RANDALL…5.5.
Hit and miss on the ball, it was out of possession where Randall struggled against Connell, Yoganathan and Phillips, and he spent most of his time chasing from one to the next.
THIERRY GALE…6.
Linked up with Cozier-Duberry well in the early stages and gave Bolton that ‘out’ ball with his explosive pace. Penned in a little once Barnsley had gone down to 10.
MASON BURSTOW…6.5.
Endeared himself to the Wanderers faithful with some bullish defending. Nowt like a number nine who knows how to look after himself.
Subs: Cissoko 7, 63 (for Randall) – Gave Bolton a whole new dimension.
Osei-Tutu 6, 64 (for Dacres-Cogley) – Went close with one angled shot.
Morley 6, 64 (for Simons) – Had the bit between his teeth after midweek.
McAtee 72 (for Gale) – Got his goal and might have had more.
Erhahon 80 (for Conway) – Looks a quality player. Definitely knocking on the door.
Not used: Miller, Forino.
Barnsley (4-2-3-1) – Cooper; Bland, Shepherd, Earl, Ogbeta; Connell, Yoganathan; Vickers, Phillips, Yoganathan; Vickers, Phillips, Keillor-Dunn; McGoldrick.
Subs: Kelly 57 (for McGoldrick), Watson 74 (for Bland), Cleary 87 (for Vickers), Farrugia 87 (for Phillips).
Not used: Barratt, Flavell.
Referee: Leigh Doughty 5/10 – Managed the rare feat of antagonising both sets of supporters with his inconsistency on what was, and wasn’t, acceptable physicality on the pitch.
The red card looked a fairly straightforward decision to make, no complaints there, but some of the minor stuff just made for a frustratingly bitty game.
Attendance: 13,167
MAN OF THE MATCH – Max Conway.
Cissoko’s impact at the end made him a valid candidate but from the starting pack, Conway was calm and assured throughout, using the ball well and limiting Vickers to very little on the right side of Barnsley’s attack. In Max’s own words, after three games nobody is getting “carried away” but an exciting future lies ahead.
MOAN OF THE MATCH – That after defending the penalty box so well against umpteen free kicks and corners, it took a simple ball over the top to split Johnston and Toal, and allow the 37-year-old McGoldrick to waltz through to score.
MAGIC MOMENT – You have to tip your cap to Murphy Cooper for his fingertip save to push Eoin Toal’s injury time header wide of the post. The Barnsley keeper saved a point for his team with that one.
ATMOSPHERE – Wonderful noise from the away end in the first half and the fans found their second wind for the last 20 minutes after a quiet – and frustrating – spell against 10 men.
Home supporters needed a good hour to start enjoying themselves but even they found a voice by the end of the match.
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