WANDERERS (4-2-3-1)
JACK BONHAM…7.5.
Came up with two crucial saves at key times of the game – one from Banks at the very start and one from Ogbeta at the bitter end.
JORDI OSEI-TUTU…6.5.
Cleary didn’t get a look in during the first half but Osei-Tutu was a little loose in possession at times. Subbed seemingly because of injury.
EOIN TOAL…7.
Dominant in the air throughout and made a nuisance of himself in the Barnsley box, going close a couple of times. Unlucky with the deflection.
CHRIS FORINO…6.5.
Strong either side of the second goal where the defending got a bit messy. Composed himself in the final half-hour to see the game out.
GEORGE JOHNSTON…7.
Solid game against a good player in Banks. Fans have voiced their concern after cameras picked him up leaving the field in some distress.
ETHAN ERHAHON…7.
But for an iffy five-minute spell at the start of the first half Erhahon was right back to the sort of combative form he showed at Wimbledon.
KYLE DEMPSEY…7.
Set pieces were excellent. Maybe not as involved as he was the previous week but he looked after the ball and kept Bolton moving forward.
ROB APTER…7.
Not an explosive winger like Blackett-Taylor or Gale but looks like a very tidy footballer who always looks available for the ball.
JOHN MCATEE…7.5.
A full 90 minutes – his first since the opening day of the season in the league – and a goal to show for it. Showed his creative spark.
COREY BLACKETT-TAYLOR…6.5.
Still not 100 per cent fit but could easily have had a couple more goals to his tally after getting into some great positions. Looks a solid addition.
SAM DALBY…8.5.
Two goals, one assist, and some marvellous centre-forward play, Dalby is enjoying himself at Wanderers and showing why Schumacher brought him here.
Subs: Simons 6, 62 (for Dempsey) – A little rushed at times on the ball.
Gale 5, 62 (for Blackett-Taylor) – Struggled to get into the game.
Christie 6, 70 (for Osei-Tutu) – Went close to scoring with one cracking shot.
Burstow 81 (for Apter) – Got involved right away.
Not used: Cissoko, Harrington, Temple.
Barnsley (4-1-3-2): Goodman; O’Keefe, O’Connell, Shepherd, Watson; Bland; Banks, Connell, Cleary; McGoldrick, Bradshaw.
Subs: Ogbeta 46 (for Watson), de Gevigney 46 (for O’Connell), Kelly 46 (for McGoldrick), Phillips 46 (for Cleary).
Not used: Flavell, Roberts, Yoganathan.
Referee: Scott Oldham 6/10 – Two thirds of the way into the contest the referee was faring fine, but the game started to get away from him a bit in the frantic final stages.
Oldham and his assistant didn’t spot a handball outside Goodman’s area, after which his decision-making started to suffer.
Attendance: 21,415
MAN OF THE MATCH – Sam Dalby
Bolton fans love a good number nine and that is what Dalby is starting to become. He is holding the ball up and bringing team-mates into play much better than he was earlier in the season and the reward for that hard work is a few easier chances in front of goal. Unselfish to slide a pass for McAtee rather than go for the hat-trick too.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
That Barnsley came out a better side in the second half is no mystery… They could hardly have been any worse. Wanderers really should have killed off any chances of a comeback before Connell’s goal, however, and had chances even early in the second half.
MAGIC MOMENT
Nice touch of class from Luca Connell after his deflected goal to put his hands up to the fans and admit there was a touch of good fortune to it. The boy was clearly taught well.
ATMOSPHERE
The best atmosphere there has been at the Toughsheet in 2026 so far. Yes, the positive football helped, but even prior to kick-off it felt at though the home fans were up for the challenge. Long may that continue.
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