Stevenage continue their race for the League One play-offs as they welcome third-placed Bolton Wanderers to The Lamex Stadium…
Boro have enjoyed a superb first campaign back in the third tier so far, and with just seven games remaining, they will be looking to end it on a high note. Last weekend, the side travelled to Carlisle United and picked up a point, despite being two goals down.
Alex MacDonald’s penalty in the 82nd minute made it 2-1, before Terence Vancooten equalised with the last kick of the game to give Stevenage a hard-earned point in Cumbria.
The big clash on Good Friday will be no easy task for Stevenage as promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers come to town. In the reverse fixture, Boro were defeated by three goals to two, so they will be seeking revenge in familiar territory at The Lamex.
The Opposition
After a five-year absence from the Championship, Bolton Wanderers look desperate to return to the second tier, and they are currently in a strong position to do so. The side sit third in League One, four points behind Derby in second who have played one extra game.
Bolton have won 22 of their 39 league games this season and look a real force to be reckoned with. Two weeks ago, they hosted fellow promotion hopefuls Oxford United and thrashed them 5-0, with five different players on the score sheet.
However, four days later, they were defeated 1-0 by Derby County as their promotion hopes took a slight hit. The side will be looking to return to winning ways immediately as they arrive at The Lamex Stadium on Good Friday.
The Trotters have certainly not lacked goals this season as they have scored the second most of any League One side, behind only Peterborough United. Bolton have scored 71 goals in 39 games, with their top scorer Dion Charles netting 17 in all competitions.
The Manager
Ian Evatt has been Bolton’s boss since the summer of 2020, and in his first season with the club, he guided them to promotion from League Two. Last season, his Bolton side made it to Wembley where they lifted the EFL Trophy after defeating Plymouth Argyle.
As a player, Evatt appeared mostly for Blackpool and Chesterfield FC.
Officials
Sam Allison has been appointed Match Referee for Friday’s game, with Andrew Fox and Alex James as his Assistants and Scott Simpson as Fourth Official. Allison’s most recent fixture was the Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Luton, which saw the Cherries earn a 4-3 victory.
Allison has dished out 102 yellow cards and one red in 27 games this season.
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