Bolton Wanderers secured promotion to the Championship with a commanding 4-1 victory over Stockport County in the League One play-off final at Wembley. The win caps a dramatic turnaround after a difficult first half, with head coach Steven Schumacher's tactical changes proving decisive.
Speaking after the match, Schumacher said: “It was really difficult, especially in the first half, the heat and the conditions. I just said to the players at half-time, our intensity needs to be a bit higher with the ball and without the ball. If we can make a few more passes, tire Stockport out and get into the final third then we’re in a position to create. Second half, I thought we were brilliant.”
The game exploded into life after the introduction of Sam Dalby in the 62nd minute. Dalby scored a brilliant individual goal to put Bolton ahead, before Stockport's Dacres-Cogley was sent off for pulling an opponent's hair, conceding a penalty which Rodrigues calmly converted to make it 4-1. The victory was sealed with an own goal from Stockport's Wootton earlier in the half.
Bolton midfielder Josh Sheehan expressed his joy: “This is the best day ever, with the group of lads we’ve got, they’re such a great group and to do it for this club and these fans after so much heartache it’s all worth it now. The first day I signed here the target was to get in the Championship, obviously it’s taken longer than we wanted but this is the best feeling ever.”
The result means Bolton will play in the second tier next season, ending a prolonged absence from the Championship. For Stockport, the defeat ends their promotion hopes in heartbreaking fashion.
